You’re on a perfect hunting trip with good friends. The day was clear and filled with sunshine, the temperature was crisp, and for once the winds in eastern South Dakota were calm. The bird dogs were enthusiastic and the fields were full of pheasants. Now at the end of the hunt, it’s time to relax at the lodge. Libations are poured and the day’s adventures are revisited. Cigars are offered and the gentlemanly ritual of cutting and lighting begins. A fantastic day is about to get better.

Properly preparing a premium cigar for smoking is an experience that creates a connection with the community of cigar aficionados. It is also a ritual with an important purpose. Cutting and lighting are the critical first steps that can make a real difference between a bad smoke and a great smoke.