How to Smoke a Cigar – Beginner Guide

Ever held a hand-rolled Cuban and wondered, “How exactly does one smoke a cigar right?” or maybe, “Why does this look easier in movies?”

Well, you’re in the right place.

If cigars had personalities, trust me, they’d be the suave James Bonds of the tobacco world – full of character, charm, and a smidge of mystery.

And let’s face it; a properly smoked cigar can be the difference between looking like a seasoned connoisseur or someone who mistook their stogie for a leftover breadstick.

Now, for those visual learners out there, we’ve got a snazzy infographic lined up right here to guide you step-by-step.

Don’t fancy infographics? Fear not! We’re breaking down everything below, so no one’s left in the proverbial cigar-smoking dust.

Choosing Between Different Types of Cigars

If it’s your first time having to choose a cigar, chances are, you will be pretty confused.

Assuming you already know the cigar anatomy, it’s already a good point to start from.

There is so much to choose from, including shapes, sizes, flavors, and countries of origin.

But, at the end of the day, it is your personal preference.

However, we have a few tips and tricks to help you choose the perfect cigar.

First, try beginning with a handmade one. If it’s mild, that would be even better.

Next, don’t just go for one based on the brand and label.

What matters more is having a quality cigar.

For that, you should ask your vendor if you can unwrap the cigar and inspect it.

After that, make sure you look out for different defects in the craftsmanship.

As well as forms of holes and tears on the surface, which are signs of infestation by tobacco beetles.

Next, roll it between your fingers and listen for a light crackling sound.

This will tell you if the cigar’s humidity is in the correct range of 65 to 70%.

Be aware of mold which is different than plume.

Finally, once you buy a stogie, don’t forget to store it in a humidor to keep it in perfect condition for years!

Now that you know what you’re looking for, here are the different sizes of cigars you can choose from.

Robusto

If you go out to buy a cigar, this is the size you are most likely to come across.

If you have enough time to enjoy a long smoke but are not in the mood for a really large cigar, then this is the perfect choice for you.

We recommend you opt for this if you’re a beginner since it will give you the fine experience of the cigar’s flavor without emptying your pockets.

Corona

Another popular choice in the market is the Corona cigar size.

Compared to other ones, this one is rather thin or small.

But don’t think its size will affect the blend’s depth of flavor because that is not compromised.

Belicoso

When it comes to their size, the Belicoso and the Robusto are quite similar.

However, you will notice that the shapes of their heads are different.

While a Belicoso has a rounder head, the Robusto’s is rather pointed.

This may not seem like a big difference, but cigar smokers love the fact that this pointed head creates a smoother feel in our mouths when we smoke.

Churchill

This is another popular choice on our list.

You might have already guessed that it is named after the former British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill.

He is still well known for his fondness for large cigars.

This is very large in size and is perfect for when you want to have a long and relaxing cigar smoke.

Pantela & Lanceros

Do not get confused between the two.

Pantela and Lanceros are the same cigar sizes marketed differently in different places.

Their length varies greater than other cigars, with the American Lanceros being the largest of the two.

What makes this type stand out is its flavor which evolves throughout the entire smoke.

Lonsdale

If we were to define this cigar in two words, they would be long and thin.

If you want to smoke a thin cigar, you have Corona and Lonsdale to choose from.

But what gives this cigar an advantage is that it takes more time than the other.

Presidente

When we mention the Presidente cigar, the first word to come to our minds is large.

We recommend this if you want to unwind after a tiring day with a long smoke.

Apart from that, this is a great option to take along with you for golf on a fine Sunday.

How to Cut a Cigar

Knowing how to cut a cigar is important since doing it improperly can tear it or ruin its shape.

You might have seen gangsters in movies biting the cap of a cigar off.

But if you think that is how you should cut it, we’re letting you know; it’s not (only in some cases when you don’t have a cutter)!

Instead, it would be best if you used a double-bladed straight cutter.

Or, perhaps you may enjoy and prefer some other types of cigar cutters.

Amongst the many you can choose are punch cutter, scissors, v-cutter, and more.

But don’t worry if you don’t have one on hand, because you can use a sharp knife or blade too.

Begin by placing the blade or cutter down on the cigar’s head.

Then, look carefully place the cutter just above the line where the cap is placed.

This is the sweet spot you should aim for.

That’s crucial because it will cause the outer leaf to unravel.

Next, use one hand to hold the cigar and the other to hold the cutter.

Now, cut around 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch of the cap with one quick chop.

Remember, this has to be done swiftly; otherwise, you’ll probably tear the wrapper.

Also, you can ruin your experience by cutting way above the cap line.

How to Light a Cigar

You might be wondering why we have a separate section for this. How difficult could it be to light something?

In reality, lighting a cigar is pretty technical since you need an even flame that does not ruin the cigar’s flavor or burn it.

Instead of going for a regular butane lighter, we recommend you go for a torch lighter.

Light your torch lighter and bring your cigar right above it.

Make sure you spin the cigar around so that it is evenly lit.

Once you do this, you will get an equal and warm orange glow.

Now, your cigar is ready for you to smoke.

With time, you’ll also know how the lighting process varies between the types of cigars.

Remember, it will take some time to become a pro at this.

So don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time.

How to Smoke a Cigar

People often make the mistake of smoking a cigar like a cigarette, even though the two are very different.

Many of you who smoke cigars will suggest that you should puff out before taking your initial puff in.

Doing this can force some harsh flavors out of the cigar and clear out some compounds that may have built up inside.

Also, how you hold a cigar can be a sign of respect and expertise. Some prefer the three-finger grip.

While some prefer the “pool cue” grip that conveys a sense of sophistication and confidence in the cigar-smoking world.

Apart from that, here are a few things you need to remember for the perfect cigar-smoking experience:

Don’t Inhale

Remember when you tried smoking a cigarette for the first time? A lot of people would show off how much smoke they could inhale.

Well, when you decide to smoke a cigar, remember that is exactly what you are not supposed to do.

The secret is to puff lightly, like sucking air through a straw without actually inhaling.

Consider the smoke as something you keep in your mouth, perhaps even chew on, as opposed to ingesting it.

Blow it out after taking in just enough to fill your mouth.

Repeat this process one every 45 to 60 seconds. It all comes down to your personal preference.

Enjoy the Aroma With an Alcoholic Beverage

If you don’t drink, do not think we are trying to force you. This is an optional part of smoking a cigar, but it sure is worth it.

If you pair your cigar with an alcoholic beverage, you will double the experience for yourself. Alcohol brings out the flavors of your cigar.

But that does not mean you should pair it up with anything that has alcohol in it.

Some beverages go better with it than others.

Try having a port, bourbon, scotch, cognac, or even some red wine. We assure you; you won’t regret it.

Get Rid of the Band After a While

You might have wondered what the band on your cigar is for. The tobacco would probably tear if you started smoking one without a band.

After around twelve puffs, your cigar won’t need this band anymore. In fact, it will already start to fall off itself.

So once you have had a couple of puffs, you can safely get rid of it.

Be Gentle When Ashing

When you see the long block of ash at the end of the cigar, you probably get the urge to tap it off.

However, we advise you keep it as long as possible.

This ash actually makes your smoking experience better. It acts as an insulator and will stop your cigar from burning too fast and will not let it overheat.

Of course, this does not mean that your entire focus should be on the ash and not the experience.

If it becomes a struggle to keep it, gently press it against the ashtray while rotating your stogie.

Avoid tapping your cigar like a cigarette, it can possibly crack the wrapper and ruin its construction.

You Don’t Have to Smoke a Cigar in One Go

You may think you are an expert just because you smoke cigarettes.

But with cigars, the experience is quite different since its smoke can still be a bit too much.

If you try to finish it too fast, chances are you’ll feel nauseous.

This is because cigars have a much larger amount of nicotine.

The entire purpose is to enjoy every draw and not get a cigar buzz while trying to out-puff your pal.

How to Extinguish a Cigar

There could be many reasons for you to extinguish your cigar.

Maybe you stopped enjoying it, or perhaps, you didn’t even like this specific type.

Whatever the reason is, if you have had enough, it’s time to put your cigar out.

However, this does not mean you stub out the lit end as you do with a cigarette.

If you try that, your room will fill up with an unpleasant smell, ruining your entire experience.

It’s against proper cigar etiquette as well.

So instead, set the cigar down on the ashtray as it is, letting it extinguish on its own.

How to Smoke a Cigar FAQs

How frequently should you smoke cigars?

The frequency of your cigar smoking mainly caters to your personal preference.

However, we recommend not surpassing one or two stogies a day.

To remain on the safe side and not risk any serious health issues.

What to do if the cigar stops burning?

Tap off any ash it has, and then light it up again.

Make sure you do this while you burn the end of the wrapper.

Now, puff out so that you get rid of any cold smoke.

After this, relight the cigar as if you were lighting a new one.

What are good cigar brands for beginners?

If you are smoking a cigar for the first time, you need to be really careful about the brand you choose.

Some of the many quality cigars we recommend for beginners are CAO Gold Torpedo, Montecristo White Label Rothchilde, and Victor Sinclair Primeros Torpedo.

How old do you have to be to smoke a cigar?

As much as you might be tempted to smoke a cigar, be careful about the age restrictions.

Around most of the world, the minimum age to smoke your first cigar is 18.

However, you need to be at least 21 in the United States.