Cigar smoking is a timeless ritual enjoyed for its relaxing and social aspects, as well as its rich flavor profiles. If you’re a beginner looking to explore the world of cigars, it can seem a bit intimidating at first. With countless brands, types, and accessories, knowing where to start can make all the difference in enjoying your first cigar experience. Here’s a simple guide on how to begin your journey into cigar smoking.
1. Choosing the Right Cigar
The first step to enjoying cigars is selecting the right one for your experience level. For beginners, it’s important to start with mild or light-bodied cigars. These offer smoother, more approachable flavors and won’t overwhelm your senses with intense nicotine or strength. Some great beginner-friendly brands include:
- Macanudo Cafe: Known for its mild taste and creamy texture, this is a great option for new smokers.
- Romeo y Julieta 1875: A classic brand with a mild profile and subtle flavors.
- Arturo Fuente Chateau: Popular for its smooth draw and light, earthy flavors.
Mild cigars are typically wrapped in Connecticut Shade wrappers, which are lighter in color and flavor compared to darker, heavier options like Maduro wrappers.
2. Understanding Cigar Sizes and Shapes
Cigars come in various sizes and shapes, which can influence the smoking experience. The length of the cigar (measured in inches) and the ring gauge (the diameter) both impact how long the cigar will last and how much smoke it produces.
For beginners, a corona or robusto size is a good place to start. These cigars are medium in size (usually around 5-6 inches long with a ring gauge between 42-50) and provide a balance between smoking time and ease of handling. Larger cigars, like Churchills or toros, might be too long or complex for your first experience, while smaller ones may not deliver the full flavor profile of the tobacco blend.
3. Buying the Right Accessories
To properly enjoy a cigar, you’ll need a few essential tools:
- Cutter: Before smoking, cigars must be cut at the cap (the closed end you place in your mouth). Guillotine cutters are the most common, offering a clean cut. You can also use a V-cutter or punch cutter, each providing a different draw experience.
- Lighter: Unlike cigarettes, cigars should be lit with a butane lighter or wooden match. Avoid regular lighters, as the chemicals can interfere with the cigar’s taste.
- Humidor (optional): If you plan on storing cigars at home, a humidor is necessary to keep them fresh. Cigars need to be stored at a specific humidity level (around 70%) to prevent them from drying out or becoming too moist.
4. Cutting and Lighting a Cigar
Once you’ve selected your cigar and accessories, it’s time to prepare your cigar for smoking:
- Cutting: Hold the cigar firmly and make a clean cut just above the cap (the rounded part of the cigar). Be careful not to cut too much, as this can unravel the cigar wrapper.
- Lighting: Toast the foot (the open end) of the cigar by holding it slightly above the flame of your lighter without letting it touch the tobacco. Rotate the cigar to evenly heat the entire foot. Once the foot is glowing, gently puff on the cigar while continuing to hold the flame near it. Be patient and avoid overheating the cigar, which can negatively affect the taste.
5. How to Smoke a Cigar
Unlike cigarettes, cigars are meant to be savored, not inhaled. Here’s how to properly smoke a cigar:
- Puff, Don’t Inhale: Take slow, deliberate puffs, allowing the smoke to linger in your mouth. Focus on the flavors and aromas, and let the smoke exit through your mouth or nose without inhaling into your lungs.
- Relax: Smoking a cigar is a leisurely activity. Cigars are typically enjoyed over 30-60 minutes, depending on their size. Take your time between puffs to avoid overheating the cigar.
- Taste the Flavors: As you puff, try to identify the different flavor notes in the cigar. These can range from earthy, woody, and spicy to sweet or fruity, depending on the cigar’s blend and wrapper.
6. Storing Cigars
If you’re serious about trying different cigars, investing in a humidor will help keep your cigars fresh. A humidor is a specially designed box that maintains the optimal humidity level for storing cigars, preventing them from drying out or becoming too moist. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the quality and flavor of your cigars over time.
7. Cigar Etiquette
If you’re smoking in a social setting or cigar lounge, there are a few unwritten rules to follow:
- Don’t rush: Cigar smoking is about relaxation. Puff slowly and take your time.
- Don’t grind out the cigar: Unlike cigarettes, cigars should be left to extinguish on their own. Grinding a cigar in an ashtray can produce an unpleasant odor.
- Respect the space: In cigar lounges, be mindful of others and the environment. If you’re in a group, share your cigar knowledge but avoid dominating the conversation with technical terms or criticisms of others’ cigar choices.
8. Exploring Different Flavors
As you become more comfortable with cigars, you’ll want to experiment with different flavor profiles. While mild cigars are best for beginners, more experienced smokers often explore medium- or full-bodied cigars that offer richer, more complex flavors. As you try new cigars, take note of what you like and don’t like about each blend. Eventually, you’ll develop a palate for certain types of tobacco, wrappers, and brands.
Final Thoughts
Starting your cigar-smoking journey is about finding the right cigars that match your preferences and learning the proper techniques for cutting, lighting, and enjoying them. Begin with mild cigars, invest in the proper accessories, and take your time to appreciate the flavors and rituals that come with cigar smoking. Whether you’re smoking alone or in the company of others, cigars offer a rewarding experience that you can enjoy for years to come.