How to Smoke a Cigar: A Beginner’s Guide

by Lucky Cigar

Oct 16, 2024

Smoking a cigar is an art, a ritual, and a moment to savour. Whether you’re new to the cigar world or looking to refine your experience, understanding how to smoke a cigar enhances both enjoyment and technique. This guide will walk you through every essential step, from how to prep a cigar to lighting, with tips on how to enjoy a cigar fully from start to finish.

TL;DR: The Correct Way to Smoke a Cigar

Smoking a cigar is about savoring flavor and enjoying the ritual. Start by choosing a mild cigar, cut it properly, light it with a butane lighter, and avoid inhaling. Keep the band on until the cigar warms up, and puff gently every minute to ensure an even burn. If the cigar goes out, relight it. There’s no rush—enjoy the moment. When done, place it in the ashtray and let it extinguish on its own.

The correct way to smoke a cigar is to pace yourself. Take slow puffs every 30 seconds to a minute, allowing the flavors to develop. How to puff a cigar correctly? Draw the smoke into your mouth, hold it briefly to appreciate the taste, and then exhale without inhaling into your lungs.

Table of Content

Choosing Your First Cigar
How to Start a Cigar: Prepping for the Experience
How to Smoke a Cigar for the First Time
How to Handle Your Ash
What to Expect When Smoking a Cigar
Bonus Tips for Smoking and Enjoying a Cigar
Your Takeaway
FAQs

Choosing Your First Cigar

Walking into a cigar shop can be intimidating, with so many options available. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations—we're here to help:

• Start with mild cigars as it’s easier to enjoy and less likely to overwhelm your palate.
• If you’re looking for a bit more flavor, consider flavored cigars. Flavored blends enhance the smoking experience by adding exciting taste notes that pair well with the natural tobacco. Lucky Cigar offers an excellent selection of beginner-friendly flavored cigars, including the best chocolate cigars, coffee flavored cigars, and fruity options.
• Choosing the right shape can make a big difference for new smokers. Robusto, Toro, and Corona generally burn more evenly, making them easier to enjoy. Their shorter shapes are ideal for beginners as they offers a quicker, more manageable session.

 

How to Start a Cigar: Prepping for the Experience

Before diving into how to smoke a cigar properly, you need to prep a cigar correctly to ensure an optimal experience. The tools you use and the care you take during preparation set the stage for a smooth, flavorful session. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cigar cutter: Ideally, a guillotine or punch cutter
• Butane torch lighter: Avoid fluid lighters to preserve flavor
• Ashtrays: For convenience and to keep things clean

Handling and Cutting the Cigar

When handling your cigar, be gentle, especially if it lacks a protective cellophane wrapper. The wrapper is delicate, and any damage could affect the burn or flavor.

How to cut a cigar properly
Using the right cutter is key to preventing the cigar from unraveling. A guillotine cutter slices off the cap cleanly, while a punch cutter creates a smaller hole in the head of the cigar for a tighter draw. If you’re new to cutting, placing the cutter on a flat surface can guide you in avoiding over-cuts.

Explore Lucky Cigar’s Cigar Cutters to find the right tool. And if you find yourself without a cutter, check out this guide on how to cut a cigar without a cutter for creative solutions.

Which side of the cigar do you smoke?

The side you smoke a cigar from is called the head, the end that you cut. The other side, known as the foot, is the part you light. Identifying which side of the cigar do you smoke ensures you’re drawing from the right end, allowing for an even, flavorful burn.

Light it Properly

For a reliable, even burn, always use a butane torch lighter. Butane lighters burn cleanly, preserving the cigar’s flavor. Lucky Cigar’s collection of torch lighters ensures you’re well-equipped, whether you’re smoking indoors or on the go.

To get the cigar started, hold the flame slightly away from the foot and rotate it slowly to toast the cigar evenly. This initial toasting preps the cigar for a steady burn once you begin puffing. Avoid holding the flame too close—this can scorch the wrapper and compromise the taste. Read more on how to light a cigar here.

 

How to Smoke a Cigar for the First Time

How to Puff a Cigar

Bring the flame close to the foot and take small, steady puffs to draw the flame in. Rotate the cigar as you puff to ensure an even burn along the wrapper. Smoking a cigar isn’t about rapid puffs but slow, controlled draws.

Think of it like sipping a fine whiskey—it's about enjoyment, not speed. Take a puff every 30-60 seconds to keep the cigar lit and the flavors consistent. This also helps the cigar cool between puffs, preserving the intricate taste notes.

Are you supposed to inhale cigars?

The answer is no—cigars are meant to be savored, not inhaled. The smoke should stay in your mouth so you can appreciate the depth and complexity of the flavors. Unlike cigarettes, cigars are not designed for deep inhaling, as doing so can cause discomfort and spoil the experience.

The beauty of smoking a cigar lies in tasting the rich aromas and subtle flavors. Focus on enjoying the smoke in your mouth, and then gently exhale without inhaling it into your lungs. With time, you’ll begin to recognize the nuances in each puff—earthy notes, spices, or hints of cocoa. If you're just starting out, here are the best sweet cigars to try.

How to Keep Your Cigar Evenly Lit

Maintaining an even burn is essential for the best cigar experience. Take gentle puffs every 30-60 seconds to keep the cigar from going out while preventing it from overheating. A steady pace will also allow you to enjoy the full flavor profile.

Make sure to rotate the cigar between puffs to encourage an even burn. Also, handle your cigar delicately. Squeezing or pinching the wrapper can cause it to crack, leading to an uneven burn. Hold it lightly between your fingers to maintain its shape and integrity.

Keeping a relaxed, unhurried rhythm will prevent uneven burns or a "canoe" effect, where only one side of the cigar burns. Cigar smoking for beginners often involves relighting, so take it in stride—it’s all part of the learning process.

 

How to Handle Your Ash

Managing the ash is an essential part of cigar smoking etiquette. Allowing the ash to develop properly not only enhances your experience but also shows respect for the craftsmanship of the cigar. Here's how to handle your ash like a pro.

Let the Ash Grow

When smoking a cigar, let the ash grow to about an inch before tapping it off. This helps maintain an even burn, as the ash acts as an insulator, keeping the heat consistent. Cigars with a firm, solid ash indicate high-quality construction and a good draw.

There’s no need to tap too frequently—if the ash is holding, let it grow. For beginners, it can be tempting to flick the ash too soon, but patience here will reward you with a smoother, more flavorful smoke. Lucky Cigar’s ashtrays offer the perfect resting place for your cigar, designed to accommodate cigars of all sizes.

Tapping Off the Ash

When the ash reaches about an inch, it’s time to gently tap it off. Avoid smashing or grinding the cigar into the tray like a cigarette—this can damage the wrapper and affect the draw. Instead, rest the cigar along the edge of the ashtray and give it a light tap. This ensures the cigar continues to burn evenly without crumbling the ash into the tray.

What to Do if Your Cigar Goes Out

If your cigar extinguishes on its own, don’t worry. Simply tap off the excess ash, toast the foot again with your lighter, and continue enjoying it. Relighting is a common part of the cigar experience, especially for beginners. Just be sure not to puff too hard while relighting, as this can cause the cigar to overheat and become bitter.

 

What to Expect When Smoking a Cigar

Smoking a cigar is not just an activity—it’s an experience that engages your senses and provides a moment of relaxation. As you progress through the cigar, its flavor profile will change, offering new notes with every draw. Understanding these nuances and knowing what to expect will enhance your enjoyment.

Evolving Flavor Profiles

As you smoke a cigar, the flavors typically become richer and more complex. A cigar is divided into thirds: the first third is often lighter and more aromatic, introducing subtle notes. By the second third, the flavors deepen, revealing a more nuanced blend. The final third brings intensity, with the tobacco’s strongest flavors emerging as the cigar nears its end.

This evolution makes cigar smoking for beginners exciting—it’s like discovering different layers within the same smoke. Depending on the blend, you might detect notes of coffee, cocoa, spices, or wood.

Embrace the Slow Burn

If the cigar develops an even ash, it’s a sign of good craftsmanship. A firm ash not only indicates that the cigar was rolled properly but also helps maintain a consistent burn.

The Forgotten Sense

One of the most underrated aspects of how to enjoy a cigar is its aroma. The fragrance of the smoke enhances the experience, evoking memories and providing a sense of calm. Some cigars feature distinct aromatic notes—like vanilla or espresso—which make each draw an immersive sensory experience.

A Moment of Relaxation and Ritual

The ritual of smoking a cigar itself is part of what makes it so enjoyable. From cutting the cigar to toasting the foot and managing the ash, each step requires focus, creating a moment of mindfulness. Cigar enthusiasts often describe the experience as therapeutic—a chance to unwind, reflect, and be present in the moment.

Whether you’re relaxing alone or enjoying a cigar with friends, it’s an opportunity to slow down, savor the experience, and engage in meaningful conversations. Cigars are often enjoyed as part of celebrations, adding significance to special occasions.

Bonus Tips for Smoking and Enjoying a Cigar

1. Pair Your Cigar with a Drink
Pairing a cigar with the right beverage enhances the experience. For beginners, try a mild whiskey, aged rum, or coffee to complement the flavors. If you’re enjoying a coffee-flavored cigar, a cup of espresso makes for an excellent pairing. Explore Lucky Cigar’s best coffee-flavored cigars for perfect combinations.

2. Store Cigars Properly in a Humidor
Cigars are sensitive to humidity, and improper storage can ruin their flavor. A humidor maintains the right moisture level, ensuring your cigars stay fresh. Keep your collection in one of our cigar humidors if you don’t plan to smoke them within a few days.

3. Rotate Your Cigar While Smoking
To ensure an even burn, gently rotate the cigar every few puffs. This technique prevents uneven burning, also known as “canoeing,” where one side burns faster than the other. Slow, consistent rotation guarantees a smooth smoking experience from start to finish.

4. Don’t Over-Puff
Over-puffing can overheat the cigar, causing the flavors to become harsh or bitter. Take your time—puff every 30-60 seconds—allowing the cigar to cool slightly between draws. Cigars are meant to be enjoyed slowly.

5. Use a Quality Torch Lighter
Torch lighters are ideal for preserving the original taste and keeping the flame steady, especially when you’re outdoors or in windy conditions.

 

Your Takeaway

Learning how to smoke a cigar takes practice, but with each session, you’ll get better at appreciating the nuances. Whether it’s your first time or you’re refining your skills, knowing how to smoke a cigar properly ensures you get the most out of every puff.

The best way to smoke a cigar is to relax and take your time. Cigars are about enjoyment, not speed. Place your cigar in an ashtray between puffs to keep it burning evenly. If it goes out, no worries—just relight it. This is key to mastering how to smoke cigars properly.

FAQs

How to Smoke a Cuban Cigar?

Wondering how to smoke a Cuban cigar? The same principles apply, but with even more attention to savoring each puff. Cuban cigars are known for their premium quality, so taking your time with them will enhance the experience.

Should You Remove the Band?

There’s no rule that you must remove the band. In fact, it’s better to keep it on initially to avoid damaging the wrapper. Once the cigar heats up, the glue on the band will loosen, making it easier to remove. If you really enjoy the cigar, you might even smoke it past the band.

How to Know When the Cigar is Finished?

A cigar is done when it no longer tastes enjoyable to you. There’s no fixed point—whether that’s at the band or down to a nub is up to you. When done, simply rest the cigar in an ashtray and let it extinguish itself. Avoid stomping it out, as this can produce an unpleasant odor.