Tonight has been an especially relaxing evening. After my wife and son went to bed, I went outside to enjoy some much wanted SWL (shortwave listening) time, along with a good cigar, and a Summit Hefe Weizen. Shortwave radio reception was average, although I am sure broader reception could of been achieved provided I strung out the long-wire antenna; which I was too lazy to do.
Speaking of cigars, the stick I am smoking is a De Gaulle Maria Mancini which features a nicely aged Maduro wrapper, coming in at 4.75 inches with a 52 ring size. This cigar releases a pleasant spicy aroma during the initial toasting stage, which once toasted, lights up quite nicely as the flame jumps off the tip as I take in the first few puffs.
This is a pretty good cigar offering an earthy, yet spicy flavor with no overpowering aftertaste; which I appreciate in a good cigar. The cigar however does have a tendency to go out in the ashtray as it rests not too long after mid smoke, which obviously requires an annoying relight.
"Resting?" you ask. Yep! Cigars are meant to be smoked with great patience. An experienced cigar smoker knows that constant puffing on a cigar will do nothing more than make the overall smoking experience unpleasant; all due to the bitter flavor produced caused by the cigar burning too hot. This is why a cigar needs to rest in the ashtray between several puffs, this way the cigar can burn properly, which will insure optimal flavor.
And with that, bed is calling out to me.