Punch vs Guillotine in Nicotine buil-up and taste effection

[Sid.Stavros]

A cigar Punch produces a 7-10mm hole and this cut surface is smaller in diameter than one from a Guillotine cuter, according to Physics this smaller hole makes the draw one click more difficult and some remains may stay in the perimeter of the hole but my point of interest is the Nicotine:

According to Google: A cigar punch, does not inherently increase or change the nicotine content at the end of a cigar; rather, the tool creates a small, circular hole in the cap to control the draw and deliver a more concentrated smoke, which some smokers prefer. While the resulting smoke may taste stronger due to the concentrated oils and heat, this is a subjective experience related to the draw, not a change in the tobacco's nicotine. The method allows less filler and binder to enter the mouth, potentially providing a cleaner, more complex flavour profile.

Potential Drawbacks

Restricted Airflow: The smaller hole can restrict airflow, making the cigar go out more frequently.
Oil Build-up: Some smokers experience a build-up of tobacco and saliva oils at the capped end, which can create a bitter taste.

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In this video the XIKAR President and Co-Founder (at that time)

at 0:29-0:38 says that ''cigar Punch helps build Nicotine towards the end of cigar and it does that by restricting the flow of air and smoke through it and that collects at the butt''

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Gentlemen, since they say different things what's your opinion? You that are far more experienced than me, have you ever noticed any difference in the same cigar from the use of Punch or Guillotine? The taste is same, is stronger or not?

Those last draws with Punch contain more Nicotine and give you a a click bitter taste than those with the Guillotine or not?

 

[Smart Ash]

I haven’t noticed a change in flavor of the smoke, but definitely notice a build up of tar at the cap. I prefer a straight cut over a v or a punch.

 

[lucasbuck]

V-Cut is far superior. Wish I had known about them in my early smoking journey. Would have saved lots of headaches.

 

[Long Ash]

In my opinion the straight and V are the better cuts. Straight is how the blender intends for you to taste their blends. I dont think the difference in draw or taste is much if any between the V and straight. The punch in my opinion sucks. They taste bitter towards the end, and risk crushing the cap if dull which they get quick. A dull straight or V will still get the job done without damage unless it has train wrecked blades. Plus you can't punch all cigars some are too small and some are so big the hole is too small. Winner-Straight/V

 

[Smart Ash]

V-Cut is far superior. Wish I had known about them in my early smoking journey. Would have saved lots of headaches.

Can you elaborate please? I’m interested in your thoughts on why a v is superior. I will admit, I’ve only had dozens of instances where I’ve used a v over a straight. Perhaps I’m missing out on something…

 

[MaytagMan]

For me it is straight a majority of the time, V on occasion. I'm not a punch fan.

 

[lucasbuck]

Can you elaborate please? I’m interested in your thoughts on why a v is superior. I will admit, I’ve only had dozens of instances where I’ve used a v over a straight. Perhaps I’m missing out on something…

Exposes maximum filler/binder while leaving the cap intact. Near perfect draw every single time. Zero guess work. Same cut always - no more, no less. I’ve been using this cut almost exclusively for about 15 years now. Total game changer (at least for me). Keep in mind I smoke Cuban cigars which often have less than ideal construction unlike NC’s which are much more consistent.

 

[tone-ny]

The cap is an important part of the cigar smoking experience. The straight cut takes the majority of the cap out of the equation. So you are left with the v-cut and punch which leaves the cap mostly intact. Now this does not apply to figurados. only to parejos. As in all things YMMV!

 

[lucasbuck]

The cap is an important part of the cigar smoking experience. The straight cut takes the majority of the cap out of the equation. So you are left with the v-cut and punch which leaves the cap mostly intact. Now this does not apply to figurados. only to parejos. As in all things YMMV!

Never thought of it this way but absolutely. Dead on Tony.

To each their own of course but I’ve tried them all and I feel like if you try V-Cut you’ll probably convert.

 

[BlindedByScience]

As I've mentioned, I've got OG Palio and Xikar straight cutters, a Xikar punch, and Xikar and Colibri V-cutters. I'd tried them all, kept going back to the straight cuts. Reading the comments @lucasbuck made a couple of weeks ago, I grabbed the Xikar V-cutter for another try, and son of a gun I'm liking it a lot. Been V-cutting for a few days now, think I'll keep it up for a while. The Colibri V-cutter takes a huge bite out of the end of the cigar; ok for some, but not for all. The Xikar is just about perfect, works very well with bigger and smaller ring gauge smokes. Even the little Tat Black petite corona.

Can't say I've found a big difference in taste or nicotine (not sure how I'd know..??) but not having the smoke fall apart in your mouth while I'm smoking is a real winner. Great draws, literally every time. Sure, I know how to straight cut a cigar but the little Xikar V-cutter makes it super easy. Of course you need a straight cutter for pyramids / torpedoes, but as I said.....I'm rediscovering the little Xikar V-cutter and liking it a lot.

As they say, one man's opinion.....

 

[hydro-terp]

I hadn't tried a V cut until last spring when, while on a biz trip, I stopped into a local lounge. Not having any of my gear I used what was there. What was chained to the ashtray that I sidled up to was a V cutter. I thought it was OK. I was just thankful to have a decent cutter. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I ordered the cigarloong trifecta bunch of cutters basically because of the price. So Ive been using the V and kinda like it for all the reasons mentioned up thread. It sure helped that the price point of the cigarloong is like $25 and not $75 like the expensive ones.

HT