Smoking a premium cigar can be intimidating if you've never done it before. There's an art to lighting up your favorite stogie that takes some getting used to.
But you'll quickly learn that preparing your cigar for smoking is an enjoyable process that allows you to fully appreciate such an incredible creation.
We've put together this list of tips and tricks to give you everything you need to know about how to smoke a cigar like a pro!
Getting Started Smoking Cigars
If you've been around experienced cigar smokers, you may have noticed that they lick the head of their cigar before lighting, chew on it as they smoke, or even sniff the cigar before lighting. Often referred to as "rituals", these are simply habits people pick up to accompany their smoking experience.
It's best not to worry about these in the beginning. You'll find that as you smoke more, you'll naturally develop your own rituals that contribute to the overall experience.
It's best not to worry about these in the beginning. You'll find that as you smoke more, you'll naturally develop your own rituals that contribute to the overall experience.
Understanding the Basics of Cigar Smoking
Premium cigars come in all shapes, sizes, and taste profiles. As a beginner, you're going to want to start with a smoke that is easier to consume.
A cigar's strength, body, flavors, and size are important characteristics to consider. So first, let's recap what each means.
Cigar Strength
A Cigar strength refers to its nicotine content. Cigars with more nicotine are stronger. Tobacco leaves that are from the top of the tobacco plant are typically stronger than the leaves from the bottom of the plant.
Cigar Body
Cigar body is essentially the depth and fullness of the cigar's flavor - the intensity of the taste and aromas while smoking. A full-bodied cigar will arouse the senses in your nose and mouth much more than a light-bodied cigar, for example.
Cigar Ring Gauge and Cigar Length
The size of a cigar, including both the ring gauge (thickness of the cigar), and length will affect how long the cigar burns and the amount of nicotine delivered.
The ring gauges are measured in 1/64th of an inch in diameter. For example, a 54 gauge is 54/64 of an inch in diameter.
A shorter cigar such as a Petit Corona typically measures 5 1/8 inches long with a 42 ring gauge.
On the other hand, Presidente's which are much longer, can measure up to 10 inches long and have varying ring gauges.
Best Cigars to Buy for Beginners
When first starting to smoke a cigar, we recommend selecting a mild-medium bodied cigar that burns between 30-45 minutes such as a Robusto, Corona, or Petit Corona.
You can find fantastic options from brands such as Montecristo, Romeo Y Julieta, and Arturo Fuente.
Montecristo Cigars for Beginners
The Montecristo Original Robusto cigars are an excellent choice for beginners. If you're looking for something that won't overpower your taste buds and make it difficult for you to enjoy the flavor, this is a solid choice. Montecristo cigars still pack enough of a punch to keep things interesting but won't overwhelm your palate.
Another option is the Montecristo White Label Especial No.3 which is a Corona cigar that's mild and perfect for those who are just beginning their journey as they explore cigars. If you want to take your time enjoying every last puff, these two cigars have plenty of smoke without overbearing you.
Romeo Y Julieta Cigars for Beginners
Romeo Y Julieta is another great cigar brand for beginner smokers. With plenty of mild-medium bodied cigars to choose from, you'll have fun finding what you enjoy best. Our favorite picks for beginner smokers are the Romeo Y Julieta 1875 Robusto and Romeo Y Julieta Reserva Real Corona.
Arturo Fuente Cigars for Beginners
Finally, to give you one more popular option, we recommend the Arturo Fuente Brevas Royale as a great introduction to the famous Arturo Fuente brand. With the Brevas Royale you'll find a smooth, well-balanced cigar with hints of spice at a desirable price point.
How to Cut a Cigar
Now that we gave you some options for beginner cigars, let's dive into how you will be preparing your cigar.
The first step is to cut the cigar with a cigar cutter. The cut allows air to flow through the cigar when you puff it. There are many different types of cigar cutters, but for beginners the guillotine type is probably the easiest to use.
Consider investing in a quality cigar cutter and experiment with what works best for you. A poor cut will ruin even a high-quality premium cigar.
How Much of the Cigar Do You Cut?
Once you've got your cutter, carefully but swiftly slice off approximately 1/16 of an inch of the cap on the closed end. The goal is to get a straight and smooth cut.
You really only have to measure the first time to get an idea of where to cut next time. If you aren't able to measure, make the cut directly on the shoulder, where the curved part of the cigar begins to straighten. Make sure you don't cut below the shoulder as you will cut too much of the cap off. The cap assists with keeping the wrapper intact while you're smoking.
Make sure you don't press down too fast when cutting as you may crack the cigar. This can be more of an issue if your cigar isn't fresh or the blades of the cutter aren't sharp.
How to Light a Cigar
Lighting your cigar is one of the most important parts of your smoke. A well-lit cigar ensures that the wrapper, binder, and filler are all lit uniformly, allowing the delightful flavors to engulf your senses.
A good light also means that your cigar will burn evenly so you can sit back and relax while you take in the tasteful aromas.
If you are not used to smoking cigars, it might be difficult to know which type of lighter to use, how close to hold the flame, and how long it should take to light.
Selecting Your Lighter
There are several flame sources you can choose from when lighting a cigar. But some are better than others depending on your preference and whether you are inside or outside, since the wind can impact your light. You want a reliable light that feels right in your hand, and works perfect every time.
Torch Lighter
Torch lighters are stylish and a great option for lighting your premium cigar indoors and outdoors. They use forced air to generate a precise, needle like flame that burns extremely hot. Since the flame is so hot and accurate, you have to be extra careful when lighting. It's important not to let the flame make direct contact with the end of the cigar.
Torch lighters come in single, double, or triple flame varieties. The multi-flamed lighters are better for larger cigars.
Collecting different sporty torch lighters is fun and they can easily be refilled with butane fuel.
Soft Flame Lighter
While not as attractive as torch lighters, soft flame lighters are a very popular option among cigar smokers. They provide you with a simple, but controlled method of lighting. It's best to use them for lighting indoors since wind can hinder your ability to light.
Wooden Matches
Wooden matches without sulfur are a good option if you don't have a torch or soft flame lighter. Use long wooden matches to give you enough time to light your cigar with one match. As with the soft flame lighter, it's best to use matches inside due to the wind.
Lighting Sources to Avoid
You want to make sure that you don't use an oil-fueled lighter, candles, sulfur matches, or anything that will add unwanted flavors to your smoke. Butane fuel is the optimal source for lighting a cigar as opposed to oil-fueled lighters which can add an unpleasant taste.
Lighting Your Cigar
Now that you've selected your lighter, and you cut off the closed tip of your cigar, it's time to light up! The goal here is to get an even light that allows you to savor the cigar to its fullest potential.
How to light a cigar with a butane torch lighter
- Hold your cigar in one hand and with the lighter in your other hand, strike the flame.
- Slowly bring the flame to the outer edges of the cigar, being careful not to touch the flame directly to the cigar as it is extremely hot. Note that the tip of the flame is invisible so you have to be careful not to get too close to the cigar. You want to hold the cigar right above the flame while you evenly torch the outer edges of the foot (the end of the cigar) and gently rotate the cigar in a circular motion.
- When the outer edges begin to turn grayish and char, you are ready to make your way towards the center. Point the tip of the flame across the center of the foot until the center has a glowing red ember, still maintaining the distance of the flame.
- After the center has a complete ember and the edges are slightly black, you are ready to take a few draws. Bring the non-lit end to your mouth and gently draw the cigar to check how well it's lit.
- As you draw, the cigar should burn evenly. If the burn is uneven, feel free to add extra flame to the lacking areas or softly blow on the lit end. Now you have yourself a perfectly lit cigar to enjoy!
How to light a cigar with a soft flame lighter
- Hold your cigar in one hand and with the lighter in your other hand, strike the flame.
- Slowly bring the flame to the outer edges of the cigar and rotate the cigar in a circular motion while you heat the outer edges. You can touch the flame on the cigar's foot since it's about half as hot as a torch lighter. Be patient, it will take a little longer than the torch lighter.
- When the edges are evenly gray colored, work the flame to the center of the end to build up a strong cherry.
- After the center has a full ember and the edges turn blackish, you are ready to take a draw. Bring the non-lit end to your mouth and take a few draws.
- The cigar should burn evenly. If the burn is uneven, use the flame to touch up any areas that are not fully lit.
How to light a cigar with sulfurless wooden matches
- Strike the match and pick up your cigar with the other hand after the match is lit. Let the match burn for a second before you slowly bring it to the end of the cigar.
- Rotate the out edges of the cigar in a circular motion around the flame. The long match should give you enough time to char the edges.
- When the edges form an even gray ring, work your way to the center of the end to burn the center and create an ember.
- After the center has an even bright ember and the edges are black, take a draw by bringing the non-lit end to your mouth.
- The cigar should burn evenly when you draw. If it is uneven, light another match and touch up areas as needed.
How to Smoke Your Cigar
After you select your cigar, properly cut it and light up, it's time to smoke! Smoking is an art. It's our job to help you become an artist, and smoke like you're a pro.
How you pull on your cigar, the way it burns, and how the flavor profile hits your taste buds all have a big impact on how enjoyable your smoke will be.
Many smokers like to have a sip of water at this point, or another palate cleanser so your senses are ready to take on the incredible taste profile of your premium cigar.
How to Puff a Cigar
We recommend taking your time and puffing on a cigar slowly. There are three reasons we recommend going slow.
The first is that you'll enjoy it more, since the cigar will last longer and taste better. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy the full flavor profile as it hits the various sections of your taste buds.
As you pull on the cigar and the smoke hits your tongue, roll the smoke in your mouth and think about the taste. Between puffs, give your cigar an opportunity to rest for a moment. It lets the tobacco cool slightly, and retain it's full flavor. Premium cigars are purposely crafted in a way that releases different flavors when the cigar heats and has time to cool.
The second reason you should puff a cigar slowly is that if you puff too quickly it can burn unevenly. But, you don't want to puff too slow as the cigar can go out. Don't worry if it does, you can always relight.
And third, if you puff too fast, you can create irreversible tainting of the flavor from overheating. You'll notice a harsh, bitter flavor that isn't very pleasant.
There is no real formula for the time in between puffs, but a good guide is between 30 - 60 seconds.
Premium cigars are meant to be savored while you appreciate the fine craftsmanship that goes into their creation. Take your time and relax while you consume the delicious flavors.
Do you inhale a cigar when you smoke it?
No. Simply put, you do not want to inhale your cigar smoke. At least not as a beginner. Doing so can cause health problems as well as have an adverse effect on the flavor of the cigar. Cigars are much stronger than cigarettes, and have more nicotine. The nicotine in a cigar is absorbed through your mouth.
Some people will tell you that it's okay to inhale a cigar. Really, that's up to the individual smoker. But when you're just starting out, we recommend not inhaling.
Retrohaling cigar smoke
There is smoking technique referred to as Retrohaling which is a way to experience a different flavor profile, without absorbing the smoke into your lungs.
During Retrohalation, smoke is pulled in from the cigar, and breathed out through your nose without touching your lungs. Experience, and practice are essential, as incorrectly done, the smoke may irritate your throat.
Since your nose has smell receptors that are essential for tasting things fully, letting smoke pass through them can bring out new flavors.
However, it's best to only Retrohale mild to medium-bodied cigars rather than strong cigars. Stronger cigars may irritate your mucous membranes in your nose. And, it's not recommended the first time you smoke a cigar.
If you're not able to Retrohale, you can still enjoy the taste by pulling the smoke into your mouth and exhaling it solely through your mouth. The traditional flavor profiles and nicotine delivery through holding the smoke in your mouth will be a full experience as a new smoker.
Enjoying the Flavor of the Cigar
There are a few tricks to ensuring you enjoy the full flavor of the cigar. First, before you even light the cigar, smell it. Hold the cigar length wise an inch from your nose, and slowly run your nose across the length of the cigar. And, consider cleansing your palate so your taste buds are clear to take in the cigar flavor.
Once you light your cigar, as you gently pull the smoke into your mouth, pay close attention to the flavors you experience as the smoke hits different parts of your taste buds.
Also, pay attention to the aromas in the air from the smoke to have the full flavor experience.
How a Cigar Should Burn
Once you light your cigar, if lit well and smoked properly, the cigar should burn on it's own. Robustos and Coronas will typically last around 40 minutes.
When Should You Ash Your Cigar?
Try to build up ash as long as possible - without making a mess or creating a safety hazard. The ash essentially keeps the cigar cooler by limiting the contact between the lit tobacco and the air around you.
Quality cigars use whole leaves instead of shredded tobacco so they hold a surprisingly large ash.
Occasionally, you may need to relight the cigar. Especially if you take a break. As you gain more experience in the cigar world, this will come naturally. Too many relights can introduce unwanted flavors, so try to keep it to a minimum. For now, remember that slow, steady and relaxing is the way of the cigar aficionado.
When Do You Stop Smoking a Cigar?
Many experienced smokers prefer to stop smoking after the ash reaches the band. However, a handmade premium cigar can be smoked to the very end if you are still enjoying it. Simply remove the paper band. Note that it's possible to experience a difference in flavor at some point. As you go through about two-thirds of the cigar, it may start tasting harsh or bitter from the smoke passing through. Also, remember that the end is still lit as you get closer to your mouth! As you smoke more cigars, you'll develop your own personal preference as to when you want to put it out.
Putting Out a Half Smoked Cigar
If you decide to take a break during your smoke, it's best to let the cigar go out on its own. Just rest your partially smoked cigar in an ashtray and it will burn out. This ensures you avoid damaging the lit end of the cigar and you can relight it when you're ready to smoke again.
Enjoy Your Experience in the Cigar World!
Cigars are about more than just smoking. Cigars are staples of friendship, conversation and celebration. Whether you're a frequent smoker, or only smoke when the time's right, it's important that you learn the basics so you can savor your smoke to the fullest.
Now you know how to cut a cigar properly, how to choose your first cigar, and how to smoke cigars in detail so that you don't miss out on any of the enjoyment.
Weddings are one of our favorite events to enjoy a fantastic cigar with a group of friends and family. Especially, if you're a beginner and don't often smoke on your own. Check out the 5 Best Wedding Cigars for Guests to Enjoy to learn how to pick the perfect cigar for an upcoming wedding and celebrate with the perfect smoke.