Welcome to the captivating realm of cigar smoking! If you’re new to this world, fear not. This detailed guide will take you through every step, from selecting the perfect cigar to savoring its rich flavors. So, grab a comfortable chair, pour yourself a favorite beverage, and let’s embark on an unforgettable journey into the wonderful world of cigars!
Step 1: Choosing the Right Cigar
Finding the ideal cigar to suit your taste preferences is the first step to enjoying the experience. There are many cigar review websites out there (like CigarsDigest.com) to start looking at flavor profiles you may like, but this could be totally overwhelming. My recommendation is to visit a reputable cigar shop or seek advice from experienced friends. Most of the time the only thing you’d be overwhelmed with is their excitement that they’ll now have a new friend to smoke cigars with. Don’t be shy about mentioning it’s your first cigar. Look for cigars that feel firm yet yield slightly to gentle pressure, with smooth and unblemished wrappers.
For beginners, it’s recommended to start with milder cigars to ease into the experience and avoid overwhelming your senses. No need to be a hero here… you don’t need to try to smoke a “strong cigar” to prove how tough you are. In fact… I’ve seen some pretty big guys pass out and hit the floor because they weren’t ready for how strong a cigar was.
Step 2: Preparing Your Cigar
Before indulging in a delightful smoke, you need to prepare your cigar for the best experience. Using a cutter or guillotine, snip off the cap (the rounded end you’ll be placing in your mouth). Aim to remove about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch, ensuring a clean cut without damaging the structure of the cigar. Be cautious not to cut too much, as this can cause the wrapper to unravel.
In other words… just the tip.
You’ll soon discover that there are several ways to cut a cigar. The straight cut/guillotine is the most common and accessible to most people. If you want to dig in more, check out our guide to cutting cigars.
Step 3: Toasting the Foot
Now it’s time for the moment of truth and light your cigar! Hold the cigar at a slight angle and bring the flame from a wooden match or a butane torch lighter close to the foot. Slowly rotate the cigar while keeping the flame about half an inch away. The objective here is to evenly warm the tobacco without directly touching the flame.
Step 4: Lighting It Up
With the foot toasted, bring the cigar to your mouth and gently draw in the flame while rotating the cigar. Take slow, steady puffs, allowing the flame to spread evenly across the foot. The goal is to achieve a smooth, even and consistent burn.
Step 5: Savoring the Experience
Now that your cigar is beautifully lit, take your time to fully savor the flavors and aromas it offers. Relax and relish each moment. Take small, gentle puffs, allowing the smoke to glide over your taste buds. Pay attention to the nuances and complexities of the flavors. You may detect notes of coffee, chocolate, spices, or even woody undertones.
Step 6: Managing the Ash
This part gets ignored a lot of the time, but it’s important to avoid embarrassment and a pile of ash in your crotch. As you indulge in your cigar, ash will naturally accumulate at the foot. Allow the ash to grow to around an inch before gently tapping it off into an ashtray. A longer ash can be a sign of a well-constructed cigar, but don’t be overly concerned about it.
While a long ash is a sign of a quality cigar, it’s not always guaranteed. I love showing off a big ash as much as the next guy, but the moment you get wrapped up in conversation or do something like breathing, the ash can become dislodged and you’ll find yourself wearing that pile of ash on your crotch. If you’re in a lounge, they tend to not like ash getting all over their rugs and to get the ash off of your pants there’s a whole dance involved. 0/10 do not recommend.
Step 7: Pacing Yourself
Remember, cigar smoking is an art to be enjoyed slowly. Take deliberate pauses between puffs, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify. Smoking too quickly can cause the cigar to overheat, resulting in a bitter taste and diminishing the overall pleasure. Or worse… the nicotine will creep in and you’ll get lightheaded and nauseous. So, sit back, unwind, and let the experience unfold at its own leisurely pace.
Step 8: Properly Extinguishing Your Cigar
Once you’ve reached the end of your cigar-smoking journey, it’s essential to extinguish it correctly. Less is more with this step. Avoid stubbing it out like a cigarette; instead, place it gently in an ashtray and allow it to go out naturally. Crushing or stomping on a cigar can release unpleasant odors, so let it gracefully fade away on its own. As we say… let it die a dignified death
That’s it! You have now embarked on your path to becoming a cigar connoisseur. By selecting the right cigar, properly preparing it, and taking your time to indulge in its flavors, you have unlocked the door to a world of relaxation, sophistication, and sensory delight. So, sit back, enjoy the aromatic swirls, and allow the enchanting embrace of a cigar to transport you to a realm of tranquility and refined pleasure. Cheers to your cigar-smoking adventures!
One final note is to not take this too seriously. This is a relaxing activity. Keep in mind that we are dealing with all natural products here… sometimes they will not burn perfectly even, sometimes they will go out. And that’s OK! It’s best to just roll with it and relight when necessary!
