A Brief Guide To Cigars

Like drinking fine wine, smoking a cigar has long been seen as a relaxing luxury activity. There is a whole culture surrounding cigar smoking – and for those who are cigar novices, it may all seem a little daunting. This post explains some of the essentials when it comes to choosing and smoking cigars for those that want to understand the culture more.

Understanding strength

Cigars are divided into three strengths: mild, medium and bold. This determines how much nicotine is in them. If you’re not a smoker or have never tried a cigar before, you’re best off sticking to mild cigars. A bold cigar could be a little sickening and is best reserved to seasoned cigar smokers. 

Understanding sizes

There are many different sizes and shapes of cigar. These are known as vitolas. The standard straight shape is classed as parejo, while those that have a point or a torpedo shape are classed as figurado. The smallest cigars are about 4 inches along, while the biggest are 9 inches or longer. In most cases, it’s best to start with something small. 

Understanding flavours

Cigars come in many rich flavours. Some are nutty. Some have sweet notes. Some are even slightly spicy. It’s worth buying a range of different cigars so that you can experiment with different flavours to find ones that you enjoy. Cigars can be paired with different foods and drinks, which can be something worth looking into to help you enjoy your cigar to the full.

Where to buy cigars

Cigars are typically bought in specialist stores, including physical and online stores. Stores such as Cigars International have a great range to try. Some cigars are fairly rare and are typically more expensive because of this. 

How to smoke cigars

Smoking a cigar is very different to smoking a cigarette. You are typically not supposed to inhale cigar smoke, but simply keep it in your mouth to experience the taste. Inhaling will likely have you coughing up your lungs – especially if you’ve not smoked before. It’s much more pleasant and healthier to not inhale. 

To prepare the cigar, you first need to cut the cap off using a cutter. You then light the cigar by gently toasting it and then placing the flame near the foot without letting it touch the cigar. Be gentle when tapping any ash off. Once you’ve finished with your cigar, simply leave it in the ashtray to burn out (there is no need to squash the end – this will put it out, but could create a foul smell). 

How to store cigars

Cigars are typically stored in a humidor. These are boxes designed to keep a cigar from drying out so that it retains its flavour. Check out this guide to humidors at The Manual.

 If you do not own a humidor, a tupperware box is usually enough. The key is to not store them anywhere where they can get too dry. Similarly, you don’t want them to get too moist and they can be prone to mould growth.