Cigar Smoking Studs
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Cigars have an undeniable appeal and to many of us they form a key part of the quintessential gentleman’s image, and taste superb (in the main). Beyond this and much more importantly – the act of smoking a cigar, a one on one with a good friend or a business associate. Your phone on silent, a drink in hand, a serious conversation – a moment of mindfulness and a deep connection with your fellow cigar enthusiast, this is the true benefit of a cigar. If you’re new to cigars, however, it can be overwhelming to know where to start – but fear not for we have some words to assist. Taking a little time to select the right cigar to begin with will pay off in the long run. Many new smokers have been turned off from cigars simply because they failed to start out with the right cigar.
Sir Winston Churchill – one of the world’s most iconic cigar enthusiasts
If you can, purchase your first cigar at a bricks and mortar tobacconist. While there are advantages and disadvantages to buying at a bricks and mortar (it might cost a little more than shopping online), you do get the priceless benefit of being able to speak with the owner. It can be helpful to get some advice from someone with experience who can help you choose your first cigar to meet your personal requirements.
If you don’t have access to a traditional tobacconist, we recommend shopping online for a sampler (a pack of five different cigars for example) so that you don’t break the bank on a box of cigars which you may or may not ultimately like. Why shouldn’t you purchase a cigar at a convenience store? These cigars usually aren’t stored in humidors, which means they aren’t of the highest quality. If your first cigar hasn’t been stored properly, it probably won’t be all that enjoyable and you may make the mistake of thinking that cigars aren’t a pleasurable experience.
The next obvious question is of course what you should get. To start with, you need to learn the basics. Most cigars are straight cigars (parejos) or fancy cigars (figurados). They come in different sizes which are quoted by length and ring gauge: it’s the diameter, expressed in. A cigar’s flavours come from the tobacco leaves used in the wrapper, binder and filler. The filler consists of the innermost leaves, surrounded by the binder, and the wrapper is the leaf enclosing the whole.
We recommend you start out with a milder cigar in a standard size like a robusto (see below for our size guide) so you don’t overwhelm yourself (many new smokers are surprised at how strong cigars can be). There are plenty of good cigars in the £10-20 range which would be ideal for a new cigar smoker to try out. To begin, find a specialist tobacconist (information below), equipped with a humidor which keeps the cigars in optimum condition. Havana cigars are excellent but don’t overlook New World cigars. While Cuban cigars are legendary, and were the standard in the market and with good reason there are seven other countries that are worth considering too: Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Honduras, Cuba, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic.
Montecristo No.4 – a Cuban classic and the biggest selling handmade Habano in the world. Plenty of flavour, without being full in body, spicy and peppery throughout but not overwhelming. A reasonable strength without being sharp. £12
Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No.2 – another classic Cuban cigar, suitable for beginners to experts, it’s full of light, ethereal charm in robusto size. It’s very approachable, easy to appreciate, and with plenty of depth for the educated palette. Mellow, yet flavourful. £16
Davidoff Nicaraguan Box Pressed Toro – originating from the Dominican Republic (with materials from Nicaragua) this rich and zesty Habano with full-bodied flavour offers palate-pleasing notes of earth, spice, leather, and espresso all complemented with a creamy sweet finish and pleasing aroma. £20
And for those of you who are on more of a budget, a few examples are Arturo Fuente Flor Fina 8-5-8 (a great cigar from one of the most famous manufacturers), Avo Domaine (a more expensive cigar which looks as good as it smokes) or, if you have access to Cubans, a Por Larranaga Petit Corona. These are all mild to medium yet flavourful cigars which won’t break the bank. The great thing about visiting a bricks and mortar tobacconist is that you can get personalised suggestions according to the kind of flavour profile which interests you.
Now you just need to know how to smoke the cigar. If you get this wrong, you may end up missing the pleasure of which a cigar brings. A lot of beginners have some serious misconceptions about cigar smoking. For example, they try to inhale. This is a quick way to turn yourself off cigars forever. Smoking a cigar is not the same as smoking a cigarette. Here’s how to go smoking your first cigar.
First, you’ll need a cutter to cut about two-thirds of the cap off your cigar. The cap helps holding the wrapper – the outer leaf, responsible for a significant part of the cigar’s flavour – together. You can either use a cheap £5 guillotine cutter (sometimes you might even get one for free at a bricks and mortar) or a more sophisticated tool from brands like Davidoff and S.T. Dupont. You can also use a punch for “fat” cigars or scissors if you really want to stand out.
Not everyone holds a cigar one single way, but typically you would use your index finger and thumb. It’s a good idea to remove the band for reasons of smoking etiquette (no need to show how much your cigar is worth) and also so that it doesn’t interfere with your smoking experience later. It’s easiest to pull off the band several minutes into your smoke since the heat will reduce the adhesion.
To light your cigar, the most orthodoxal way is to use a cigar match (it’s longer than a regular one) or with a butane lighter. Hold the cigar horizontally and, as you light it, rotate the foot (the end that you are supposed to ignite) so that you get a nice, even burn. Toast it well before putting it in your mouth. It’s important to work on the foot so all the surface is burning, then enjoy. The most important thing you can probably learn from this is do not inhale, at all.
To reiterate, do not inhale, at all. It will just make you feel ill. Just keep the smoke in your mouth for a while, savour all the flavors, then slowly exhale. A couple of puffs a minute is the rate at which you will probably want to smoke most cigars. Again, a cigar is not like a cigarette. A cigarette is something quick you squeeze into your lunch break in the middle of the day. A cigar is a chance to unwind, relax, and really immerse yourself in an experience. Most cigars take about an hour to smoke, give or take. If the cigar goes out while you’re smoking, don’t fret. Just shake the ash off, relight, and exhale through the cigar to eject the cold smoke.
Images courtesy of hiconsumption.com
Another etiquette question which often comes up is what to do with the ash. There aren’t any rules here, but generally speaking the longer the ash sticks to a cigar, the better made it is, which is why shaking off ash prematurely is sometimes seen as discourteous. If you feel like it is starting to obstruct burn or draw, then it’s time to shake it off. When is the cigar finished? The last couple of inches usually burn too hot and leave an unpleasant aftertaste. Don’t believe the nonsense that only the first half of a cigar is good – most premium cigars offer a satisfying experience right up until those last couple of inches. Cigars range from 20 minutes to 75 minutes in smoking time so don’t be afraid of making mistakes; you’ve got plenty of time to practice, and most people do but hopefully now you’ll be less likely to.
If you’re planning at smoking your cigar of choice at home then I recommend heading to a specialist cigar shop to ensure you’re investing wisely and buy the right cigar for your taste. And there’s none better than James J Fox at 19 St James’s Street, London. It’s one of a very few number of shops to be exempt from the smoking ban making it possible to enjoy your cigar in their in-store cigar lounge as a sample with the view to buy more if you wish. Please also remember to pick up a humidor to ensure your cigars are kept fresh – a desk sized option is affordable and well worth the investment.
If you want to enjoy your cigar away from your home make sure it’s somewhere with cigar smoking ‘facilities’ – the last thing you want is to feel ostracised for being a smoker. I like to relax at one of London’s finest cigar-friendly establishments – ideal for catching up with an old friend over a tumbler of cognac or whisky. Some of the best include No. Ten Manchester Street Hotel, The Corinthia Hotel Garden Lounge and The Den at 100 Wardour Street.
The recipe for success alongside fine conversation is pairing a drink to the cigar’s body (flavour profile). For instance, with a full bodied cigar, you likely need a full-bodied spirit that will not be overpowered by the cigar. They need to work in harmony with both the cigar and the beverage standing out so you can differentiate between the two. A full bodied cigar would work well with a peaty Scotch whisky like Lagavulin 16 whereas a medium bodied cigar would work better with a Speyside Scotch whisky such as Glenfiddich 12 or a VSOP Cognac from Hennessy. And that’s it gentleman, smoke well.
Graham Jones is the in-house writer and quality-sieve at Ape HQ, with a keen interest in men's grooming, style icons of yesteryear and Japanese whisky.
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How To Smoke A Cigar: Step-by-Step Guide
Smoking a cigar can be a scary and intimidating experience. Whether you’re a newcomer or enthusiast, you’ll soon realise that there are certain mistakes that can be made, which can lessen the experience.
No matter your level of experience with cigars, you’ll always be surprised about obscure rules and etiquette. In fact, it can be quite oppressive in some circles and it’s easy to be frowned upon by doing something others consider as poor taste.
However, in this guide you will learn how to smoke a cigar properly and comfortably without any pretence. Our easy 10-step tutorial will pave the way to stress-free cigar smoking so you can concentrate on your enjoyment.
In this guide, we’ll break down the techniques to keep in mind when smoking cigars. We’ll mention a few rules to keep in mind as well as pitfalls to avoid.
However, our goal is to present a methodology open to interpretation according to your tastes.
Despite what you may hear from elsewhere, we believe that there is no truly wrong or right way to smoke a cigar as long as you enjoy it. However, we’ll offer advice that will ensure that you don’t compromise your enjoyment.
Furthermore, some of the steps are covered in greater detail through their own dedicated guides. Throughout this guide, we’ll present you with links when the opportunity arises so you can read more about these particular subjects.
Smoking a cigar can be broken down into 10 distinctive steps:
Simply scroll down to read them all our jump straight to one by clicking on it!
There are many shapes, sizes, countries of origins and flavour profiles to choose from when selecting your cigar. In fact, it can be very intimidating and overwhelming when starting out.
However, cigars are like wine in many respects and as many people know, you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy a glass.
One of the most comfortable ways to enjoy your first cigar is to ask a friend who already smokes them. If they know their stuff, they’ll be able to at least give you a few recommendations as your first smoke.
Overall, the most reliable way is to seek out a professional retailer that specialises in cigars. They’ll be able to give you experienced advice on the best cigars to smoke as a beginner.
Most people tend to agree that it’s best to begin with a relatively mild and good quality handmade cigar. A cigar that’s too full-bodied may be overwhelming as a first smoke. Meanwhile, an inferior cigar may be an underwhelming experience.
If you do go to a retailer, you may want to get into the habit of inspecting the cigar to ensure its quality. Being made by hand, even the most reputable cigar brands can host a few defects.
These can include any of the following:
Always ask a vendor for permission to inspect the cigars by touching them. Feel free to ask a vendor about storage conditions too. For instance, cigars should be stored in a humid environment that ranges between 65-70%. Any less may dry out the cigars whilst any more can cause the outbreak of mould.
Rolling a cigar between your fingers should give a faint crackling sound. This will tell you if the humidity is within the range mentioned above. If the sound is too loud, it may be too dry. However, if you can’t hear anything at all, it’s likely too moist.
Finally, be very gentle when handling the cigar. After all, it doesn’t belong to you just yet. A gentle pinch along the body should suffice to assess its consistency and hardness.
When buying cigars online, you won’t get this opportunity until you’ve bought the cigars, which is one of the risks when saving money.
When you are ready to smoke your cigar, the time will come to cut the cap so you can draw through it. All handmade cigars are finished by adding a small piece of wrapper leaf over the head, which is called the cap. This secures the wrapper and its contents before smoking.
There are a number of different ways to cut a cigar, which we cover in our dedicated cigar cutting guide, which features a full step-by-step guide. For instance, there are guillotines, V-cuts and punches that you can choose according to the cigar and preference.
However, most experts agree that you shouldn’t bite a cigar like a gangster in the movies. Rather than looking like Al Capone, you’ll end up tearing the wrapper and get bits of tobacco in your teeth!
Whatever method you go for, the cut should be careful yet decisive. Furthermore, you don’t want to cut too high up the cigar’s shoulder as it may cause the wrapper to unravel as you smoke.
If you look closely, you’ll notice one or several small seams along at the extreme end of the cigar’s head. You’ll want to cut below the one closest to the end in order to safely secure the wrapper.
As mentioned above, cut in a decisive and quick movement as doing it too slowly can tear the wrapper.
Known as the dry, raw, pre-light or even cold draw, many enthusiasts like to take a moment to puff on the cigar before lighting. This serves as a great indicator of what the cigar will be like when you smoke it.
For instance, you’ll be able to detect the level of draw you’ll get from the cigar. Furthermore, letting the cigar meet your lips before it’s lit will give you a hint of what’s to come.
Like smelling a wine’s bouquet, tasting the cigar cold will reveal notes and aromas that you may likely experience later. Although a raw draw doesn’t give you a precise indication, you can enjoy the tantalising prelude of the initial flavours.
Much like cutting a cigar, there are many tools to choose from for lighting. Ensure that you’re properly equipped and avoid cardboard matches, candles or fluid-fuelled lighters, which each affect the taste.
If you prefer to use wooden matches, wait for the sulphur to burn off before exposing the flame to the cigar. Furthermore, opt for long matches if you can as lighting a cigar can burn through a few.
For this reason, butane lighters a more popular choice among many cigar smokers. Some even choose torch lighters, which provide an intense and even flame more convenient for lighting cigars.
Whatever device you choose, lighting a cigar can be broken down in the following steps:
Remember to rotate the cigar while you do this. Exposing the cigar to the flame from only one angle may cause an uneven burn.
For a full step-by-step guide on the above process, head to our detailed cigar lighting guide.
Unlike cigarettes, cigars aren’t meant to be inhaled. Not only is inhaling cigar smoke uncomfortable and can provoke coughing but it’s very bad for your health. Instead, cigars are meant to be sipped like a refined beverage.
Hookahs, cigarettes and even vaping is drawn by sucking the smoke with the lungs. However, you draw on the cigar by creating pressure with the centre section of your tongue. You can compare the action to sucking on a straw or blowing a kiss.
Like tasting wine, savour the smoke by letting it float across your palate. Try doing this gently and don’t swirl it aggressively like mouthwash. When you’re finished, let the smoke blow back out of your mouth.
Don’t puff too regularly on a cigar but take a few sips then let it rest. If you draw too often and too hard on a cigar, it will get hot and may burn unevenly. Allow the cigar to cool down to avoid compromising the flavours.
Consider taking a sip between every 30 seconds to a minute to enjoy the cigar at its full potential. At this rate, it’s often suggested that a typical cigar should last between 45 minutes to an hour of smoking.
Certain enthusiasts and some experts practice a technique known as retro-haling. This is a process which involves pushing the smoke down the back of the mouth and up the sinuses to be exhaled out of the nose.
Being relatively difficult to achieve, it’s not recommended for beginners but worth trying when you’re ready. It will allow you to use the sensitive aromatic receptors in your nasal passage that bridge the divide between taste and smell.
Retro-haling allows you to detect the full spectrum of flavours and you can discover subtle characteristics of your cigar. However, it’s not an easy task unless you’re accustomed to cigarettes.
Be sure to exhale a bit of smoke out the mouth before retro-haling. Afterwards, you move the remaining smoke up through the nose instead of inhaling it as it approaches the back of the throat. As you exhale, you should able to release it through your nose.
It’s very easy to accidentally inhale the smoke and passing it through the nasal cavity can be very overwhelming. It’s best to try this technique with a few puffs of a mild cigar.
With their various shapes and sizes, it can be hard to find a comfortable grip on a cigar that isn’t awkward. You’ll want to hold it securely but be able to enjoy it at the same time.
The preferred and conventional way of holding a cigar is between your thumb and index finger. If the cigar is quite long, you can let your other fingertips rest across the body. As the cigar burns down, you can reduce the number of fingers that you use.
Another particularly popular way of holding thick cigars is by curling your index finger of the band. The cigar’s head sits in the hollow of your thumb while the body is braced between the index and middle fingers. Thick of it as if you’re holding a gun and the cigar is a trigger.
Some circles tend to frown upon holding a cigar between your index and middle fingers. Many see this as the way you’d hold a cigarette, which is undeserving of a cigar. However, it can also be somewhat unstable and it’s easy to lose your grip.
Whichever way you choose to hold your cigar, try to refrain from animated gestures or pointing with it, which can the ash to drop off. Try to keep your hand relatively still with the cigar parallel to the ground.
Finally, don’t grip the cigar between your teeth. Generally, chomping on a cigar can be considered poor form. Furthermore, it may damage the wrapper due to pressure and moisture, which will cause it to unravel.
If you need to free your hands or want to give the cigar a rest, it’s perfectly polite to let it sit on an ashtray. Those designed specifically for cigars feature large indents or stirrups designed to let them rest without falling into the ash.
Overall, it’s not recommended to tap off the cigar’s ash like a cigarette. Doing so will expose the embers or “cherry”, which can cause it to burn too hot.
4 Ways to Smoke a Cigar - wikiHow
The Art of Smoking a Cigar - How to Smoke a Cigar
How To Properly Smoke A Cigar : Learn To Smoke A Cigar Like A Pro
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