Your how to smoke a cigar education must include knowing how to cut and light your cigar. Making a mistake here can ruin the cigar, ruin the taste, and ruin the experience. The how to smoke a cigar tips listed here are easy to learn and implement, and will give you cigar aficionado status.
How to Smoke a Cigar: Cutting/Clipping
The closed end of your cigar is called the "head." (Cigar Vocabulary) This needs to be opened by clipping. This closed end has been "capped" over with part of a tobacco leaf. Examine the head closely and determine how far from the tip this cap extends. Expect less than 1/2". This is like the quick on your fingernail... cut beyond this limit and expect trouble i.e.. your cigar will unravel.
When clipping the end more is not better. Try to cut as little as possible while still opening about 75% of the end. The amount to be clipped can vary greatly depending on the roll and cap.
If you use a "punch cutter," you will find not only is it easy to use, it will make a perfect hole and eliminates the problem of guessing how much to cut off.
If your cutter is of the "guillotine" variety, the secret is to line up your cigar at eye level and clip it off quickly.
The third cutter/clipping option is called a V-cut clipper. Like with the punch cutter the V-Cut clipper eliminates guess work and notches a uniform "V" out of the cap each time.
Which type of cigar cutter/clipper you use is a matter of choice. No matter which one you choose, don't pinch pennies on your purchase. A cheap cutter/clipper can ruin your cigar. A quality one, however, will give you a cleaner cut, won't crack the skin, or allow pieces of tobacco to end up in your mouth. A quality cutter/clipper will last a long time.
There are numerous other methods to clip your cigar, including cigar scissors, razor blades, pocket knifes and the old standby used in the movies: your teeth. While all of these "work," they don't work well. Stay away from these methods to ensure your smoke is a pleasurable one.
How To Smoke A Cigar: Lighting
In how to smoke a cigar discussions, the question of lighting your stogie will never be completely resolved. In fact, it may be easier to discover the meaning of life. Nevertheless, here are our thoughts on the subject.
If you are using a match, wait until the sulfur is completely burned before beginning to light your cigar. A longer wood stick match works best, as it will burn longer and the flame will not get too close to your fingers. If you are using paper matches, you may want to use two of them together.
Many aficionados prefer to use what is called a cedar spill. This is a long match made of Spanish Cedar and is lit first before the flame touches the tip of your cigar. This method of lighting is considered elegant and is commonly seen at well hosted cigar dinners. Using a cedar spill, however, could subtly change the flavor of the smoke. Its worth while to experiement with cedar spill to discover if you like using it or not.
Many inexperienced cigar smokers choose a butane lighter. Most seasoned cigar smokers don't risk the unpleasant gas flavor that is imparted into the cigar. This also holds true with lighter fluid based lighters although the manufacturers claim that the odor dissipates after a few seconds (of course they would say this).
Regardless of the source of your "fire" roll the foot of the cigar above the flame before you put it in your mouth for the first draw. The tip of the flame should not touch the underside of the wrapper. This step will make the tobacco in the cigar more readily accept the flame.
Once you have warmed the tobacco, put the cigar in your mouth at a 45ยบ angle and use another match to light it. Hold the flame directly in front of the cigar (again, so it is not actually touching the wrapper), and slowly inhale to draw the flame to the foot of the cigar. Drawing too hard causes the cigar to burn hot which is not a good thing.
While lighting your cigar, ensure that you turn the barrel so that all sides of the foot are equally lit. Examine the glowing foot to make sure your stogie is burning evenly. You may wish to lightly blow on the foot of the cigar to even things out and make sure your cigar continues to burn evenly.
Let the pleasure begin as you take a few slow steady draws. Pause for a short time to establish the desired burn. Enjoy! If your cigar goes out, knock off the ash and gently blow through the cigar to clear out the old smoke. Relight using the methods spoken about, above.
Now that you have learned the proper cutting and lighting techniques of how to smoke a cigar, experiment smoking different cigars until you find some favorites. The two finest places we have found for purchasing cigars are:
- Cuban Crafters Cigars offer a fine selection of Tabacalera Esteli cigars. They start with tobaccao leaves grown from Cuban seed on 275 acres in Esteli, Nicaragua. The rich soil and perfect tobacco growing temperature and humidity produces top grade tobacco, which is grown, picked, aged and hand rolled at the Tabacalera Esteli facilities. They make their cigars the old fashion way; hand rolled in a labor-intensive seven part process, in small batches, by skilled masters trained by Cuba's finest master rollers. Cuban Crafters is the exclusive worldwide distributor of Tabacalera Esteli's fine cigars and cigar accessories.
- Thompson Cigar has been around since 1915. In addition to the Thompson brand cigars, which are available no where else, Thompson also sells just about every major brand of cigars such as Cohiba, Arturo Fuente, Partagas and more. They have the most complete selection of cigars you will find anywhere, including exclusive brands as well as Dominican, Honduran and Nicaraguan origin cigars. Thompson typically offers cigar samplers at terrific prices, and often runs great specials, including their "Deal of the Day." In addition to a wide array of cigars, they offer a full range of cigar accessories and information, such as their "Cigar 101" informational material.
Both of these fine companies have been around for a long time, are extremely reliable, and their shipments are guaranteed, as is your complete satisfaction. When considering how to smoke a cigar, consider the offerings from these two great companies.
Dave and Jeff
p.s. For a real humorous story, check out How To Smoke A Cigar And Your Disgruntled Ex-Wife.
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