FAQ Series: Davidoff of London - Cigar Band Etiquette

Eddie addresses common questions about if, when and how to remove cigar bands.

[@terryallen9546]

Good advice. I might only add: When you gently twist the band, do so in the same direction the wrapper was applied. This will reduce the risk of pulling up the wrapper as you twist the band.

[@davidofflondon3525]

Great addition, very good tip!

[@scottmcalister4513]

As always a great video and I am so pleased to hear "hustle and bustle" in the background, an indication that things are looking up and friends of the shop are visiting in person. Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous summer!

[@cuban252]

He is such a refined gentleman. He strikes me as a person who can carry on fascinating conversations.

[@anthonybrakus5280]

Be fun to get across the pond and sample the famous Sahakian hospitality... Not to mention Eddie's Grand Reserve collection!

[@bigneiltoo]

Me talking to Eddie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3qalWR6mqeZedU

[@adeelm9028]

​@@bigneiltoo😂👌

[@chikitabowow]

Eddie has such a great way of speaking, when he explains something it's easy to listen and learn. looking forward to more videos from Davidoff London!

[@mrfuzzydark5012]

I'm glad Eddie isn't strict with cigar etiquette. Smoke how you like, just enjoy the cigar and respect the craft. Very good video Eddie!

[@danbaxter2599]

I've been thinking of starting to smoke cigars and I like the idea of starting a cigar band journal. Put the bands and who I smoked the cigars with in a nice leather journal and record our thoughts of the cigar and the conversations we may have had.

[@stephenhockley]

That sounds so wholesome 🥺

[@richardward-smith9882]

Always a wonderful pleasure to view one of your informative videos in your inimitable gentle and kind manner. Thank you

[@julienb305]

Thank you sir. It's always a pleasure to hear you. Your voice intonation is so nice. You are a reference, not only in cigars but also on how to speak. Your videos (with mr Allisson) are the material i use to improve my speech. Thank you again from France.

[@luismorenomusic5670]

Absolutely love this man, and I agree 100%. Looking forward to sharing a smoke with him one day ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Joncartervoiceovers]

Love your videos and interviews, Eddie. Also, truly enjoy your hearing from your Father on YT. You guys are wonderful. :)

[@effay83]

The relationship Eddie has with his dad. Just Wow. I wish I can have that with my kid someday.

[@TrumpForKing]

I always enjoy your videos so please keep posting them. Your beautiful store is a must do for me the next time I visit London. All the best from the US

[@puressenceuk35]

Beautifully presented advice. Will hopefully be popping into the shop for the first time soon to pick up some "Winston Churchill Late Hour" cigars, as I had one over Christmas and it was exquisite.

[@thehighlander3395]

Great video from the always informative Eddie Sahakian, a consummate gentleman, just like his father Edward. I found myself laughing uproariously at some point during this upon recognizing the unmistakable voice of Max Foulkes in the background, which is amusing to no end. Just a bit of frosting on the Davidoff of London cake, no less. Cheers!

[@lancerogers9694]

Thank you so very much, can’t wait to visit your establishment in London in a few weeks.

[@stoehrcov]

Sir, thank you for the proper way. It's been added to my on-going cigar knowledge

[@tristanschulte7758]

Great advice! For those who are wondering: The "glue" is just fruit paste, don't worry.

[@badllama8090]

great simple informative short video, Thank You! more Cigar knowledge absorbed, i may just pop in for a cigar this weekend whilst in London. 👌

[@christophera3330]

Excellent info by a refined gentleman. Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@VazgenHakobyan]

Masterly explained as always, thanks Eddie.

[@Petarkruzevksi]

Thank you Eddie.One day hopefully I will visit your store and have a chat with you!

[@kimcarrot77]

Watching from South Korea! Always love your videos. Want to see more videos just relaxing and smoking cigars with telling a history about it!

[@zenos.5315]

Enjoyable video, I was also interested in the fabulous looking walking canes in the background .

[@TrojanMan321]

Thanks, very nice! Working on my gentlemen game! Your channelnis the cornerstone!

[@gastondeveaux3783]

1st class. Great video, and that is a beautiful suit you have on.

[@jimh3500]

Thank you for posting this video. I have been wondering for a long time, years actually, why some remove the band before lighting the cigar while others leave it on until until they’ve smoked a bit. Now I understand that, to me, the most important thing is to not damage the wrapper. The other considerations mentioned, such as appreciating the art work on the cigar band is both interesting and informative. Now, with this information, I will not damage my cigar wrapper and make a point to appreciate the art work in the band which I’m sure will enhance mood and smoking satisfaction. Thank you again for sharing your experience and knowledge.

[@thamiralthani5531]

Keep on doing these amazing videos!!!!

[@herbertbaz1417]

Thanks buddy. Just the answer I was asking myself the other day.

[@johnathandax6132]

Thank you for this Eddie. Would you be able to post a video about Cigar aging? I’m sure everyone would love to hear your opinions on temperature and humidity as your methods are unique. There is just too much information on the 70/70 rule and loss of oils if temp is too low, etc. Thank you again and really enjoy and appreciate the information you and your father provide. All the best, always.

[@davidofflondon3525]

Thank you for your kind words Johnathan. Keep an eye out as there will be a short FAQ coming soon on ageing. Any other questions you may have on this, please do not hesitate to contact us via email.

[@michaelcase8574]

Sherlock Holmes once said in one of his adventures "If you insist in smoking your cigar with the band on you will be put down for a Bounder"

[@carltoncotter2614]

Eddie is being gentle and polite. But Sherlock Holmes was correct.

[@michaelcase8574]

@@carltoncotter2614 Thanks for the validation. Eddie is always polite for sure.

[@crisco6583]

When the great Jeremy Brett delivered that line, it became gospel to me.

[@billkeaveney1526]

The master speaks. Thanks Eddie

[@David-mi3il]

I could listen to you speak all day

[@truthplease4868]

I can sleep tonight-- So many thanks.

[@crzyruskie86]

I share this same sentiment. If the label is stuck, you can wait until it warms up and it comes right off most of the time. I also leave it until the last moment so I remember what I smoked and also to let other know if they are curious.

[@steliostoulis1875]

Excellent and delightful

[@sandymcfiddish1299]

Thanks for explaining

[@brickcitycomics2135]

Ah, you can hear Max's famous "Yeees" while tending the shop in the background bustle.

[@hjamesayashi1590]

I used to smoke Davidoff cigarettes so I was a regular to Davidoff Jermyn Street when I was in University, , I then progressed to Dunhill just a few doors away when I developed into pipe smoking, a big fan of Bill Ashton. Many years later I started smoking cigars and Smith & Sons on Charing Cross road was my favourite until it closed down. These days I got my cigars from all over the place, I must pop in to Davidoff again, love all Eddie's videos.

[@josephbarnes8000]

Eddie you are a uniquely cool guy. Would love to meet u . Great videos . Look forward to watching them in the future

[@bodhi9464]

Thank you so very much Sir. 🇦🇺

[@MattDelovino]

What i have been doing is taking off the band and writing the date ive smoked the cigar & also what i thought of the cigar . I keep the bands as a ledger so when i go to purchase or try different cigars i can refer back to what ive already smoked

[@369rsi8]

Great video, only a matter of time until you guys take off

[@williamkuhns2387]

In case the wrapper gets a tear or hole you can repair it by applying plain unflavored chapstick to the tear. I have tried it and it works!

[@joshtheparttimefarmer5377]

Hi just wanted to say I love your channel

[@redoni3429]

Just asked myself that very question and got an answere to it. Thanks! Personally I like to take it of (at least when the heat softened it up enough) because I don’t want the taste of burned paper in my mouth

[@thlee3]

this man’s vibe is so goals

[@craigmilky8430]

Must go to this shop hopefully meet the man him self . Love the way he present him self

[@TheEyesThrone]

I didn't really understand the question until he said the 'art on the band' now I understand. Anything that is so fine it can be called art I can respect.

[@__hjg__2123]

I miss these...Time for some new ones!!!!

[@martinmiller8275]

I love your dagger eyes given to the person talking as you are trying to make this video.............

[@Wecomeinnumbers1992]

What a nice Guy! Could Watch him all day Long!

[@soto6411]

I think leaving the wrap on is much better & looks more classy. If it wasn’t meant to be on it wouldn’t be. Thank you Eddie what a gentle man

[@jalalahmad9213]

You are the perfect example of a true gentleman

[@user-zp7sf8dh3z]

I am just about to enjoy A Habanos 1994 Cigar that I have kept for a special moment. The moment being the birth of my 6th child. I will be popping into your shop in London next week to have a spending spree😊

[@andrewgarner2224]

How many more children are you planning 😁 Congratulations

[@sssjdemon4686]

Personally i use it for style when smoking with the band on. There is different colors. Depending on what im wearing i will grab the matching color band cigar and will keep it on. I was wearing all white one day, had a white band cigar and a lot of people noticed since it was an event that took serveral days, the next day i was wearing green with a green band cigar.

[@Dusyanya]

Eddie Sahakian - one of those guests one selects for the ultimate dinner party.

[@duanearcher7576]

I had an uncle who was a real cigar aficionado. He had some kind of numbering/coding system that he'd tag the inside of the band, like '3B4' or such. He'd keep the band and had a logbook that included the code number and his comments on the cigar, occasion, etc.

[@williamkuhns2387]

In the days before air travel cigars were transported country to country via ship and so the tradition of glass tubes was to protect the delicate cigars from salt air.

[@WORRO]

Very good video. Thumbs up ~John

[@nikolaskrgic4936]

Please make more videos like this. Also show us your aging stock.

[@davidofflondon3525]

They're coming Nikola, slowly but surely!

[@g8trdone]

When I started smoking cigars I used to write on the back of the band what I was eating or drinking at the time and give it a rating. Fun little collection of lots of different things you're tryi9ng...

[@ranasaint]

beautiful ashtray

[@antanasleo4671]

Eddy, you are soul of this store!!! I can’t stop watching video with you !! You are professional of that cigar business

[@jdove39]

He's so smooth, I just slipped and fell. ✌🏾

[@wanwansamurai]

So refined

[@gennerobootz6490]

Now this is a true gentleman

[@jakedahle2098]

Eddie you are a true gentleman! Would love to have a smoke with you

[@DomiNate_1]

This is great advice for enjoying cigars in general. “It’s personal preference, whatever you enjoy”

[@nessuno6110]

Would you serve a Puligny-Montrachet in a glass carrying a "Bourgogne" label? Smoking a branded cigar is the equivalent of suit buyers who keep the sleeve label on: a mix of ignorance, bad taste and showing off.

[@DomiNate_1]

@@nessuno6110 Having Chardonnay in a Pinot glass wouldn’t ruin my experience… If that’s what you’re asking. Just like someone else smoking a banded cigar shouldn’t ruin your experience. If it does, then observe the tag inadvertently left on your jacket sleeve.

[@BrutusMaximusAurelius]

Nice, unknowingly I’ve been doing it the same way as Eddie :).

[@biblybims9868]

Am definitely paying a visit next time I’m in the capital

[@bailex5646]

thanks for advice! can you make more of them, please how log can I enjoy cigar till end?

[@silvermediastudio]

If it doesn't slide off, I'll often use my pocket knife to slit up the back and free it that way. Clean and more refined than tearing it off. Perhaps not an option in London, but in the USA we're still free to carry such items as knives and pointed sticks.

[@davidarrowsmith865]

Pocket knives are legal to carry in the UK

[@thesaint8400]

Lol a pocket knife.

[@malthus101]

I personally leave it on and use it as a visual guide for when to stop smoking the cigar. I find by the point it reaches the band I'm usually done with it anyway, so.... If I'm enjoying the cigar I may slide the band a bit further down and just like the white gloves suggestion, it actually gives you something to hold that isn't the cigar itself, once it becomes shorter from smoking.

[@thomaswilliams]

Anyone else getting ASMR vibes from this guy? Huge respect, love and admiration for the videos and the time taken for the attention to detail.

[@spanqueluv9er]

@thomaswilliams Nope. Not one person.

[@dspsblyuth]

Thank you for the video. I had such anxiety about smoking in public because I didn’t know what to do with the bands. I would just stay at home and save the bands in coffee cans not knowing what to do with them. Do I save them? Throw them away?

[@Nonduality]

Good tips. I like seeing the label as I smoke until it gets in the way, then I take it off.

[@Touche334]

I hope you make more KZbin videos

[@shawn_143]

I leave it on until I get down to it . I just like holding it by the band . Speaking of bands I always thought it would be kinda neat having a company story or something about the particular cigar you're smoking on the inside of the band. Just think of when you was a kid reading the cereal box or enjoying a bourbon and reading the history on the bottle . Maybe some companies do it and I just haven't found them yet .

[@juanbernardobotero2525]

Hello Mr Sahakian, please make a video about how to age cigars. Temperature and Humidity.

[@davidofflondon3525]

Coming very very soon!

[@SueEmmDee]

Years ago, I knew a gentleman, now dead, who smoked Jamaican cigars; he always removed the band and he cut the end with a special device and he bored a hole, in the end, with a matchstick.

[@vini123]

Great Video! Greets from Mexico, I have a question if you would be so kind to answer, i have a 300 cigar humidor, some of those cigars are from cuba, others from nicaragua, but of of the nicaragua cigars have chocolate smell or very strong smell, should i change those to a different humidor? does that affect the other cigars? and thank you for your great videos.

[@johnnygyro4090]

Great video as usual, but something that I can’t take my eyes off; the watch. The establishment speaks of elegance and class, the suit and care for the cigar, same. I would have expected a nice dress piece, maintaining consistency. But hey, just an observation. Thanks for the advice on the wrap.

[@refefeahgeha]

blah blah blah

[@fatherlucid4995]

I’m getting some cigars now

[@huss1205]

Such a classy guy.

[@rudolphdrasler2697]

For me it depends on brand. For example, I find that with Camacho cigars it’s way easier to take the band off before you light it than if you allow the burn to get close to the band. Cohiba red dot cigars are the opposite for me in that you need the heat to get the band off without risking ripping the leaf. Imo everything is personal preference and any tobacconist who tells you otherwise is either a snob or simply doing what they were taught when they started out.

[@ef5936]

Which of the primeros do you like the most? Just wondering 🙂

[@BryBry2ply]

My father used to say it was vulgar to keep a cigar band on whilst smoking. "It's people showing off how much the cigar costs" he smoked expensive and less expensive cigars depending where he was etc.

[@lapizza7206]

Wow what is that ashtray it looks nice.

[@dirtyunclehubert]

i keep one banderole of every new cigar brand in a cigar box as a memory of which brands ive tasted and I'll remove it from a cigar once ive reached halftime.

[@ES-wb2do]

Another reason one might choose to leave the band on is in the chance, that for whatever reason, the wrapper tries to unwrap, the band could act as a preventor of it coming completely undone.

[@TyroneBeiron]

All bands on cigars can be safely removed, either at the beginning or slightly after it is lit. Taking off the bands - especially in a club among other smokers - is politeness, so as not to be brandishing. Like whisky or cognac in a glass - somewhat incognito and the focus is on the conversation. But some are more dandy, and like their dress and preferences, prefer to brandish their tastes. In this case, to each their own, but politeness and courtesy is first and foremost. Personally, to avoid any form of snobbery, the bands should be removed. I do have a cigar 'ring' which can be used on any to help hold the piece without my fingers touching much of the tobacco but haven't seen this in popular use though.

[@CardinalBiggles01]

I'm sure there was a bit in a Sherlock Holmes story where Holmes mocks his foreign adversary for failing to remove his cigar band, thus marking him as uncouth or not being a proper "English Gentleman". I may have misremembered this however.

[@b.millsj2401]

Question why is Winston Churchill silhouette used by Davidoff?

[@RedneckRepairs]

The fact that this sort of question comes up..ever..leaves me with no hope for humanity. These are the critical issues, folks...this and if men should compete on the women's swim team.

[@jamesleem.d.7442]

I think I can hear Max Foulkes in the background ?

[@MB-zj3er]

All correct. Something you learn after you ruin a cigar before you even light it. 👍

[@isaiahb.5868]

I leave the band as a mark of when the cigar turns. It usually is a bit before the band in my opinion, however i havent smoked short cigars yet so maybe i would take it off then

[@davebennett2086]

I was going to ask that question 😂 Thank you Eddie.

[@steveh6365]

And he wears a smart watch

[@realcodechris]

Wonderful video but Eddie if I could impart some critique, it would be to maintain eye contact with the camera. Other then that, I enjoyed your knowledge

[@davidofflondon3525]

Thank you for the feedback Chris, gratefully noted.