How to smoke a cigar (like a gentleman) ?

Smoking a cigar is not just a matter of drawing smoke and then letting it out. Many people are unaware that there are rules to follow.

The Cuban cigar is considered a symbol of class and style. Unlike cigarettes, it does not only satisfy the daily need for nicotine. It also allows you to enjoy and savour the aromas and flavours of the tobacco, as well as the moment of smoking. The art of cigar smoking therefore requires learning and practice. But to avoid making a fool of yourself when you take your first cigar, here are some essential rules that might be useful.
 

How to choose the right cigar ?

Types of cigars

First of all, you should choose your cigar carefully. Don't just throw yourself at the first cigar you come across. It is best to ask a friend, a connoisseur or a tobacconist for advice. The price of a cigar does not determine anything! Its value does not determine its quality. As for its aroma and taste, these obviously come from the type of tobacco used and its wrapper.

Moreover, the size and shape of the cigar are very important for a good tasting experience. It should be noted that they will not have an explicit impact on the flavour of your cigar. They will simply determine your smoking time and the way your cigar will evolve as you smoke it.

So for your first cigar, take the one that is long and thin: it will be the least strong and a good start for you. Don't get carried away! Start light. It is still better to take a few varieties of modules to have a wider choice.

Then, don't hesitate to inspect your cigar before you buy it. Feel the cigar to make sure it has no hard or soft spots. Also make sure that there is no compressed pile inside. If the tobacco is uniform, it will be easier to smoke.

There are six (6) main types of cigars that you can easily distinguish thanks to their different shapes and sizes :

• Corona: this is the most popular type. It measures between 14 and 15 cm, with a diameter of 1.5 cm. The Corona cigar is ideal for beginners and can be consumed at any time of the day. It can be enjoyed for 25 to 30 minutes.

• Pyramid: it can be enjoyed by beginners and experienced smokers alike. The Montecristo Open Regata is the mildest of this module.

• Torpedo: this cigar is usually 15.6 cm long with a 52 ring.

• ePerfecto : The Perfecto module refers to cigars with two tapered ends. These are called Exquisitos or Double Figurado in Cuba.

• Panatela : this module has existed for centuries. It measures 15.2 cm and has a diameter of 1.4 cm. At one time it was considered the most suitable tobacco for women.

• Culebra : it is shaped like a snake and is obtained by weaving three Panatelas. It is best shared with friends and not smoked in one go.

How to store them?

Once you have bought your cigars, remember to store them. However, avoid using them for more than two days if you do not have a humidor. Indeed, they should never be too dry! A good cigar has a slightly oily texture, whereas the wrapper of a dried-out cigar cracks when touched.

Cigars especially need humidity and a medium temperature. Like plants, they are sensitive to their environment. It is therefore necessary to take care of them, as they are very delicate products. The ideal humidity is 69-72% and the perfect temperature is 20-21°C.

On the one hand, if you expose your cigar to a lot of humidity, it will be difficult to smoke it afterwards. This is because it will often go out while you are smoking. On the other hand, the worst thing is the formation of mould when the temperature and humidity are too high.

On the other hand, insufficient humidity will dry out your cigar. You should know that the wrapper of the latter is the most fragile. Indeed, if your cigar is too dry, the oil that makes it elastic will be lost. As a result, the wrapper will crack. Your cigar will also lose its taste because of this lost oil. In addition, you will end up with a cigar that has no flavour or aroma.

Fortunately, there are solutions to these storage problems. First of all, there is the so-called humidor. This is a box often made of cedar wood (humidor). Equipped with humidity and temperature control elements, it preserves the quality of the cigars. To complete the system, you need a humidifier and a hygrometer to measure the humidity of the air.

Therefore, if you cannot buy a humidor, you can make one yourself. To do so, all you need is a plastic storage bag and a wet sponge. You then place your cigars (1 to 3 cigars) and the sponge in the bag and close it tightly.

If you want to store more cigars, replace the bag with a glass or plastic container. This time, use distilled water to wet the sponge and avoid mould.

A word of advice : don't put your cigars in a refrigerator! They could lose their smell. This is because the temperature and humidity in the fridge are not suitable for preserving them.

How to cut a cigar correctly ?

Choosing the right tools

There are several types of cigar cutters that can be used. However, the only condition is to choose one that is well cut. This will prevent the wrapper of your cigar from tearing and will allow you to have a straight cut.

You can have a wide choice of these cigar cutters, as several ranges are available. These are made of plastic, steel, silver or gold.

Among the most commonly used cigar cutters is the guillotine. Generally, the guillotine consists of two sharp blades. There are also single-blade guillotines. It is very easy to use. You can get one for as little as 15 $ / €.

The cookie cutter or 'punch' is also common among smokers. It is a cylinder with a sharp edge. However, choose your punch according to the cepo (diameter) of your cigar so as not to risk crushing it.

Then there are the scissors, which are made for cutting cigars. Their blades are curved. They are more practical if your cigar is wide enough, although regular practice is required to perfect your cuts.

If you don't have a guillotine, cookie cutter or scissors, you can always improvise. Swiss Army knives or simply a sharp knife can serve you well. Sharp blades are also welcome.

You can also pierce the cigar with a pencil, pen or stick. However, you should not pierce it deeply. You should only make a hole to allow air to circulate.

Apart from these instruments, butter knives, teeth and blunt blades should be avoided if possible. Otherwise you risk damaging your cigar.

It is better to buy a real cigar cutter if you want to continue smoking cigars.

What are the steps to follow for a perfect cut ?

Now that you have chosen your cigar and know how to store it, you can cut it. For your information, a cigar is not cut any old way. There are techniques to know and follow.

First of all, it is important to have some knowledge of the anatomy of the cigar. A cigar consists of a head - the part you will put in your mouth - and a foot - the part you will light.

The head is the rounded, closed (covered) part. This is the part that should be cut. The foot is the part that is already open.

Now, to cut your cigar, locate the head. If you are using a guillotine or scissors, place the head between the blades. If you are using other cigar cutters, make sure you are familiar with them. A clumsy cut or a bad piercing of your cigar could overheat it and spoil its taste. In fact, all you have to do is cut a very small part of the head, about 3 mm from the base.

With all this done, cut the head off the cigar quickly, without a moment's hesitation. Again, this quick cut will prevent you from ruining your cigar by tearing the wrapper. And instead of cutting off a large part of the cigar directly, cut off the head a little at a time. Afterwards, you won't be able to put back what has been cut off.

How to light a cigar properly ?

The choice of fire to be used

To begin with, there are some fires that should not be used, such as those from petrol lighters. Some of these will emit an odour that will clash with the taste of your cigar. This could spoil your enjoyment. In this case, you must choose the right fire.

Here are the fires to avoid :

• Zippos : even if these lighters are practical, using them to light a cigar is strongly discouraged. As their fuel is paraffin-based, they will leave an unpleasant odour that will interfere with the flavour of your cigar.

• Candles : it is best to avoid them, as they contain odour-diffusing components.
  

• A cooker : the gas used in the cooker contains traces of hydrogen sulphide. These are very toxic and can cause health problems. Avoid them too.
  

In short, you should not use petrol lighters, candles or fire with toxic components.

Instead, opt for fires that will help you enjoy your tobacco such as :

• Torch lighters : these are the most commonly used. They are made of butane which gives an odourless fire. When lit, the butane evaporates almost instantly, so the taste of your cigar will remain intact. Moreover, torch lighters are easy to use, because their fire is controllable. And above all, they are refillable.

• Matches : use long wooden matches. The fire should last and be strong enough to light your Cuban cigar. As soon as they are lit, these wooden matches eliminate the chemical smell. That is why their fire is ideal. However, you need to have a good number to burn as one match will not be enough.

• Cedar strips : You can also use these. They are natural and allow for efficient lighting. They also allow you to really preserve the cigar's aromas. However, beginners should not use them until they are already aficionados. After all, they are delicate tools.

How do I light a cigar successfully ?

The process of lighting a cigar is far from simple. It is not like lighting a simple cigarette. It is a step that takes time, so be patient. However, whether you are an expert or a beginner, mistakes can happen. But don't give up.

First, light your fire. Take your cigar and tilt it at a 45° angle over the flame. Hold the fire about 1 cm from the foot. This means that the fire must not touch your tobacco. Otherwise, you risk burning it by putting the fire directly on the foot.

Secondly, turn the cigar slightly on itself. This step is essential to ensure that the foot is lit evenly. Heat the foot of your cigar until the edges of the wrapper are grey in colour. This will take about 10 seconds. You can also wait for the cigar to light up, but this will take a little longer.

Finally, bring the cigar to your lips after heating the foot. Keep the flame close to the already grey foot. Then start to take small puffs regularly while continuing to rotate the cigar. The aim is to draw the flame towards the tip (the foot) to light it.

Your cigar is lit when you see a red ring around the foot. There should also be some smoke in your mouth. Make sure that the foot is always evenly lit. If it is not, blow the tip gently.

You should not take too many puffs. This could overheat the cigar and burn the wrapper, turning it black. Simply take a few puffs every 30 to 60 seconds.

In the course of your smoking, your cigar might go out. But don't worry, because you can relight it. Also, there is no need to go through the whole process again. Just remove the ash, then place the burner near the fire for 2-3 seconds. Then put your cigar between your lips and take a few quick puffs. As in the previous steps, you should rotate the cigar on itself to distribute the ignition.

The art of smoking a cigar like an expert 

How to savour the taste ?

After lighting your cigar, you can now smoke it. Remember! There are always rules to follow.

You may have noticed that there are several shapes and sizes of cigars. So, sometimes the way you hold them can be a problem. For some people, especially beginners, holding a cigar correctly is difficult. However, in order to do so, you simply place it between your thumb and forefinger. If you can't hold it steady, add the other fingertips. And remove them a little at a time as you smoke. The key is to hold the cigar firmly.

According to some aficionados, holding a cigar between the index and middle fingers is incorrect. They find this gesture unworthy of the cigar, as they consider cigar smoking to be a ritual.

To continue, smoking a cigar allows you to relax, unwind and enjoy a quiet moment. The most important thing is to enjoy its taste and aroma. Unlike cigarettes, cigars give you fumes that you should not inhale. If you swallow them, you will cough or even vomit. There is also a risk of burning your throat. Simply draw out the smoke and hold it in your mouth for a few moments. Taste it and enjoy the flavours.

When you have finished, let the smoke out in a gentle way. Don't spit it out as you would with cigarette smoke.

To enhance your experience and enjoy it, smoke the cigar slowly. There is no question of racing. Take one or two puffs every minute. If you draw too often, your cigar will overheat. As a result, the tobacco inside will become bitter, acrid and unfavourable.

Also, each type of cigar is different and may require a different rate of draw. If you feel that your cigar is too hot (overheated), slow down your pace. Let your tobacco rest for a while. This will also help to diffuse the flavours better. On the other hand, if you see that the cigar is starting to fade, increase your rate.

The smoking time can vary between 30 minutes and 2 hours. This depends entirely on the length and size of your cigar. The main thing is to relax and enjoy the tobacco to the full.

Again, remember to turn it over regularly while smoking. This will allow the heat and air to spread evenly. If turning the cigar is not enough to even out the embers, use your fire to correct it.

With regard to "when to stop", no rules or formalities are required. It is up to you. Just enjoy your cigar until you are really satisfied.

Smokers usually stop at the band, halfway through the cigar. However, as you smoke, you will notice that your tobacco will evolve in terms of flavour. The cigar will be stronger in the last third with a more pronounced taste. So if you stop halfway through, you will miss out on the experience.

Once you have finished your tasting, part with your cigar by placing it in your ashtray, but do not crush it. If you do, it will give off a bad odour and interfere with the enjoyment of those around you.

Tips and advice: what you need to know

The ashes

As you smoke, you will notice that a layer of ash will start to form at the end of your cigar. Do not remove it. It protects your cigar from the wind. It also cools it down so that it stays fresh and can retain its taste and aroma. The longer the ash, the better the quality of the cigar.

In any case, leaving too much ash in the cigar is not good. It could prevent air circulation, cause poor heat distribution and interfere with the flavour of your tobacco. So the ideal length of the ash layer is 1 cm. However, some people leave it there until it reaches 2.5 cm. Even if this does not spoil the taste of your cigar, the ash may fall on you or on the ground.

In addition, as soon as you notice a crack, you should remove the ash. To do this, do not tap the cigar. This will increase its temperature. Just place it gently in the ashtray and let the ashes fall out by themselves. You can also wax your ash layer by rolling it thinly in the ashtray until it comes off.

Cigar bands

Cigar bands are 'labels' that serve to identify the brand. Cigar enthusiasts have started collecting them because cigars are considered a luxury item. This collection is called vitolphilia.

Furthermore, as the band is glued to the wrapper of the cigar, it would be difficult to remove it directly. If it is removed too soon, the Cuban cigar may be damaged. To smoke or not to smoke the band? The best thing to do is to keep the ring on until it falls off by itself. The heat of the ash will break the bond between the band and the wrapper.

The accompaniment

When smoking a cigar, you can accompany it with a drink to refresh your palate. Choose a drink with flavours that balance out the flavours. You can choose between a non-alcoholic and an alcoholic drink. If you have a problem choosing, you can start your drink with water and finish it with a good digestif.

Still water is preferable for a beginner. Its neutral taste allows you to better grasp the cigar's aromas. Because of its sweetness, tea is also recommended. However, unflavoured or flavoured tea would be better to avoid mixing tastes. If you want to drink coffee, match its strength to that of the cigar: strong coffee normally goes well with a strong cigar.

Several types of alcoholic beverages can be consumed to accompany the cigar. Dark and amber beers are highly recommended. As for wines, it is better to choose a sweet one. The sugar and alcohol present in this drink will help to soften the bitterness of the cigar. Finally, you can choose an old rum (white, amber or brown). Its taste blends well with the cigar's aromas.

All in all, cigar smoking is a real art. So, for perfect smoking, the above-mentioned golden rules should be followed. Of course, in the beginning you might still make some mistakes, but with practice you will smoke like an expert.