By T.J. Mayben – Feb 9 2024
So, you’ve cut and lit your cigar…and now it’s time to smoke it. But you still have uncertainty about what to do next. Before I get started on that, I want to express my personal belief on cigars: you do you. The cigars you choose, the rate at which you smoke, how you hold your cigar, whether you leave the band on or off, etc is all up to you. You do you. However, I am willing to provide some basic guidance on cigar smoking that will help you get started…
Before we get to that, here’s an important note: don’t inhale cigar smoke into your lungs. Cigars are not cigarettes, they are hand-rolled, pure tobacco that is meant to be tasted…and you taste with your mouth and nose, not with your lungs. They’re also not meant to be habit-forming, and although the amount of nicotine in a cigar is much higher (100-200 milligrams per) than in a cigarette (about 8 milligrams) the rate of absorption differs, as cigarette smoke enters the lungs where absorption is much higher than in the mouth as with cigars. So, bringing that level of nicotine into your lungs would be crazy…so it is most definitely not recommended.
What IS recommended is starting with a mild or mild-med strength cigar to start with…maybe something without pepper notes. Smoking a full-bodied cigar right out of the gate can cause you to get too much nicotine and make you nauseous and/or light-headed and that can ruin your expected enjoyment. NOTE: if you DO start to feel nauseous, light-headed or even a little dizzy, it’s likely that you’re experiencing a bit of nicotine sickness. If so, stop smoking and try something sugary to counter-act the symptoms, such as my personal favorite…Hershey’s Kisses. The milk chocolate not only melts quickly, coating the inside surfaces of your mouth (and is absorbed quickly through your cheeks)…BUT is also a terrific accompaniment to just about any cigar! Luckily, the effects of the nicotine don’t last too long and once you feel better, try smoking slower or possibly a different, lighter strength cigar. Even if you’re not experiencing any unwanted effects from your cigar, I highly recommend just having chocolate around just because cigars and chocolate compliment each other so well.
Now…let’s discuss actually smoking that stogie!
Drawing smoke:
Cigar smoke should be drawn slowly into the mouth, maybe swished around (think chewing), and then exhaled. And although you can let some of the smoke come out your nose (retrohaling), I don’t recommend that for those new to cigar smoking; you’ll likely end up burning your nasal passages (some cigars’ pepper notes are killer on the nases) and coughing up a storm. Later, as your develop your skills and acclimate to your cigars, you can try it then. Until then, stick to the method above.
Draw rate:
Cigars are meant to be enjoyed, and if you’re puffing like a machine you’re likely missing out on the relaxing effects, the flavors, and the opportunity to actually explore the cigar’s attributes…so slow it down! The recommended draw rate is about 2 puffs per minute, which is enough to keep your cigar burning and allow for contemplation or discussion between puffs. The burn of the cigar is definitely affected by how fast you smoke it, so if you rush you’ll likely incur an uneven burn line (where the ash ends and the unburned wrapper meet) or incur a bitter taste to your cigar…and no one wants that. Conversely, if you let too much time go between puffs, your cigar might go out. It’s ok to relight, but avoid relighting a lot as it’ll affect the taste of the tobacco.
The smoke:
A good draw on a quality cigar can generate a large billowy smoke when exhaled…that’s part of the fun, but simple courtesy dictates that you void blowing your cigar smoke into the faces or path of others. Cigar smokers have a hard enough time being judged harshly, so be sure that you’re being a good ambassador for the cigar community and smoke with courtesy and class.
The burn:
Be sure to turn your cigar occasionally in your mouth to avoid pulling air through it unevenly…it’ll keep the draw open and help the cigar to burn evenly. And don’t chew (or bite hard) the end of the cigar as that will close the draw and make it harder to smoke. If you do incur an uneven burn, let it go for a bit to see if it’ll correct itself. If it becomes really uneven, you can touch it up a bit with your lighter…but be careful not to actually light your cigar on fire. Let the flame lightly warm and toast the area in question, and then continue to smoke.
The band:
Whether to leave the band on is one of the more debated questions in the cigar world. Some say to remove it because leaving the band on might seem like you’re “bragging” a bit, especially if it’s a pricey cigar. Others recommend leaving it on because, Hey! It’s YOUR cigar…do what you want!
Personally, I recommend leaving your band on until the burn line nears the band…for two reasons.
One, the gomma (plant-based glue) used to attach the band can at times be pretty resilient or may have leaked onto the cigar itself. Working too hard to remove the band can actually damage the wrapper, and even a small tear can become a major headache as the heat expands the cigar…leading to a split or the wrapper unraveling. Bummer.
Two, “Hey! It’s YOUR cigar…do what you want!” Remember what I said, “YOU DO YOU”…don’t listen to anyone else on this issue; remove it if you like or leave it on…it’s your decision. Just don’t smoke THROUGH it!
When to finish:
Cigars are typically divided into “thirds”…and when reading cigar reviews and discussions you may see that the first third had one or more tasting notes, with a transition in the second third, and the final third is the finish. Not everyone “nubs” their cigars…some folks smoke it half way or stop before the band, and some partly in the final third. Where you stop is up to you. However, a quick note about that final third: if you quit before you get there, you may miss important finishing notes; if you smoke too long, the cigar will get too hot and you’ll burn your tongue and the end of your smoke may be harsh. It’s totally up to you, but if it starts to get hot, it may be time to…
Put it down:
When you finish your cigar, the one thing almost everyone agrees with is DO NOT stub out your cigar. Stubbing your cigar releases a harsh, acrid smell that can affect others’ smoking experience. Simply lay your cigar in the ashtray and let it go out on its own. It’s just a courteous thing to do.
I hope these tips (and that’s what they are: tips, NOT rules) help you to enjoy your cigars. Feel free to comment below and let me know if they did, or if you have a differing or additional opinion! Cigar smoking is meant to be social, to bring us all together…that’s why it’s called the cigar community! So go enjoy your smoke, preferably with others and help keep that community thriving!