Cigars and Spitfire furniture have a long-lasting pedigree together. During WW2 the Spitfire was without doubt the best fighter-plane in the war, and the hero of the battle of Britain in 1940. Winston Churchill, Britain’s Prime Minister, was famous for smoking big cigars, and even today, one of the most elegant and maybe the most iconic cigar is the ‘Churchill’, best known for its size, traditionally 7 inches (almost 18cm) long by a 47-ring gauge these cigars are perfect for after-dinner relaxation with friends. A Churchill will typically last 60-90 minutes.
Just slink into at the deep leather of the Chesterfield 2-Seater Sofa – with full grain leather, put your feet up on the Foxtrot Leather Ottoman and rest your ashtray on Spitfire’s Dauntless Side Table.
Spitfire has sponsored numerous cigar lounges and relishes the opportunity to pass on our knowledge of setting a mood and the right environment for a crowd, but even if you are at home alone you can curl up in your own Banshee Egg Chair with its crushed velvet Union Jack upholstery. Delightful.
Spitfire furniture blends the stunning aluminium of the Spitfire’s fuselage with comforting soft leather to allow you to sink into your favourite chair, completely relax and savour the sheer pleasure and unashamed luxury of a cigar.
Making the Cut
Cutting your cigar is an acquired skill. It’s best not to try and saw the end of your cigar with a knife or slice it with garden shears. Arm yourself with a cigar cutter. A straight cutter or guillotine-style cutter is the most efficient method. Straight cutters allow for more airflow and an easy draw. Cut the cap above the shoulder of your cigar – where the head starts to taper, any deeper and you’ll get tobacco shavings in your mouth.
Toast don’t roast
When lighting your cigar toast the end but don’t over-roast it. You can light your cigar with matches or a butane lighter, just tease the flame a centimetre or two away from the end of your cigar. If you push your cigar too far into the flame, it will burn unevenly and your first taste will be charred tobacco. Not good.
Rotate your cigar over the flame so that the circumference of the foot is lit evenly. Take several puffs as you slowly turn your cigar. A high-performance butane torch, allows you to precisely target those areas that still aren’t burning evenly. Once lit, roll it around in your hand and gently blow on the fire end.
Ashes to ashes
Try and create a firm, even ash as you smoke which can stay intact for a few centimetres. Treat yourself to a classy ashtray for you and your guests. Don’t skimp. It needs to have a deep dish and a cigar rest, or stirrup, so you can set your cigar down in between puffs without it rolling off the edge. When you’re done smoking, let your cigar burn out gracefully. Don’t grind it into your ashtray like a cigarette. Cigars are humidified, so will burn out in a few minutes on their own.
Add a snifter of Brandy or Whiskey
Take sips of your chosen tipple to interrupt the smoking. Be warned though, don’t get the tip of your cigar saturated or think that dipping your cigar in your drink is a good idea. This will kill the cigar’s draw and ruin your evening. And we don’t want that.
Enjoy.
Written by Paul Kerton
Photos of The Whisky & Cigar Lounge (Lusaka, Zambia)
