"Every beginning cigar smoker faces this question:
should I leave the band on or take it off?

I certainly asked myself this question, as I stared down at the band - hmmm...and when is it time to take the band off?

So here's a little history...

To smoke – with the band on or off – has been debated without end since about 1850 when Gustave Bock introduced the first bands. Bock’s Havana-made cigars – like the Fuente Fuente Opus X or Padron 1964 Anniversary Series today – were copied so widely so he put bands on to identify them as authentic. Until then, all cigars had been sold without bands or cellophane. In the early days, bands were placed toward the center of most cigars.

(There’s also considerable speculation that bands came about because of the wide use of lightcolored or white gloves in high society where cigars were fashionable and the wrappers stained the gloves, but Bock is widely credited with putting bands on his cigars first.)

For generations in England, it was considered bad practice to smoke cigars with the band on, since it would “advertise” the brand you were smoking. In the U.S., there’s no rule, but many smokers keep the band on.

One of my key tests when I'm reviewing is the band test - "To Pop or not to Pop" - therein lies my question. So from the experts at CigarCyclopedia and the source of this post....

"In order to get bands off of cigars in the best possible condition, make sure it’s not too tightly attached to the cigar. Many bands will come off more easily after a cigar is lit and the heat inside the cigar helps to disengage the band from the body. Even so, taking it off too early can tear the wrapper and if the band is glued tightly, there’s little hope of removing it without a lot of work.

The best chance of success will come with gently squeezing the band (and the cigar) at various points to loosen it. If fully separated from the wrapper, you may be able to pop it off by pulling gently at its end. But if there was too much glue applied to it originally, you might end up having to cut it with a small fingernail scissors."

and this is my personal favorite...

Liberating the Lips:

In recent years, bands have gotten bigger and bigger, sometimes inhibiting the way a smoker enjoys that cigar.

The solution...double bands, which to me is ever so annoying...as a matter of fact, the other night, I was relaxing with a Punch Rare Corojo, which does have the double band, and did require the extra effort.  Funny thing about learning the tricks of the trade and becoming more seasoned as we smoke, is we become set in our ways. No longer wondering if we smoke with the band or without, but rather does the band pass the "To Pop or not To Pop" test!

Enjoy, and Longest Ashes,
 Damsel.....