A Beginner's Guide To Cigar Etiquette

In the world of cigars, there are unwritten rules that most seasoned cigar smokers follow. These codes of conduct distinguish the experienced from the newbies. To save yourself potential embarrassment, this beginner's guide to cigar etiquette covers the basics you should know before lighting up your first cigar. 

Cigars are typically enjoyed in relaxed settings as a way to unwind after a busy week, to celebrate a milestone like a wedding or childbirth, or to just kick back with good company. No matter how you enjoy your cigars, enjoy them respectfully and in moderation.

Choose The Right Cigar 

If you are new to cigars, don't dive off the deep end and smoke the darkest, fattest cigar. Instead, start off with something in a lighter colour and smaller size. You may not even enjoy cigars, and that's okay.

If you aren't sure where to start, ask a friend who's into cigars for some recommendations, speak to a tobacconist at your local cigar shop, join cigar groups on social media, watch reviews, and read about them.

Cigars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and different types of tobaccos will produce different flavour profiles. Research a range of cigar types before trying your first. If a friend offers you a cigar, don't ask them if it's a Cuban. That's just bad manners.

And remember: you don't need to spend a lot for an enjoyable experience. Great sticks come in all price ranges. You just might need to do some digging to find them.

Avoid Putting Cigars In Your Mouth Before Cutting It 

Some newbies think that they need to wet the end of the cigar before they cut it. The idea is that the moisture from their saliva will soften the tobacco, reducing the chances of it splitting when they cut it.

Sticking your cigar in your mouth or licking the cap is not only rude, but also looks goofy.

We do not recommend doing this, even if you are using your own cutter. Properly stored cigars (in humidors, wineadors, or tupperdors) will contain some moisture (typically 62-72% humidity). In most cases, the cigar will not split when you cut off the cap.

Use A Proper Cutter (Don't Cut Or Bite The Cap Off) 

Using a proper cutter to cut the cap off your cigar will ensure you have a proper draw and get to experience the flavours as much as possible. There are 3 types of cutters:

• Straight cut (sometimes referred to as a guillotine): as the name implies, it makes a straight cut through the cap. A straight cut will typically make the draw of smoke through the cigar easier and allow the cigar to burn cooler.

• V-cut: cuts a deep V into the cap of the cigar. Some people claim the V-cut creates more surface area, thus giving you more flavours, but this has not been scientifically proven.

• Punch cut (sometimes referred to as a bullet cut): typically a ¼" hole that is punched through the center of the cap, giving the cigar a more concentrated draw. Some seasoned smokers claim that the concentrated smoke gives you more flavour.

You may have seen people bite off the caps or pick them off with their fingernails, but we don't recommend doing that unless you want tobacco bits stuck in your teeth or under your nails. You could also ruin the integrity of the cigar, causing it to unravel or break.

Light Your Cigar With The Correct Lighter

Once you have cut your cigar, you're ready to light it. You want to avoid using just any old gas station lighter. The fluid in these lighters will give your cigars a bitter, off-putting taste, and the lighter itself will likely burn your hands, since it's not designed to stay lit for extended periods of time. 

For cigars, you want to use either a soft flame lighter, a torch lighter, or a match. Soft flame and torch lighters use butane, which will not give the cigar any foul flavours. If you are using a match, strike it and wait for the head to burn off. Then you can light your cigar or transfer the flame to a cedar spill for a truly Cuban cigar-lighting ritual.

Take Your Time And Remember To Toast The Foot 

Unlike cigarettes, lighting a cigar takes time and a bit of skill. The technique, called "toasting the foot". Toasting the foot seals the outer leaf (the wrapper) to the middle (the binder) and inner (filler) tobacco leaves at the lit end. Toasting the foot will make the cigar burn evenly and allow you to experience all the different flavours it has to offer.

The foot of the cigar is the end opposite of the cap. The cap is the end you put in your mouth and the foot is the end you light. Typically, you can see the tobacco from the foot. That's the easiest way to tell which end is which.

The proper way to toast a cigar is to hold the foot at a 30- to 45-degree angle just above the flame and slowly rotate it until you have an even ¼" to ½" char all the way around the cigar.

For a step-by-step guide on toasting the foot of a cigar, read our article How To Properly Light And Toast The Foot Of A Cigar.

Once you do, you can start lighting the filler while still rotating the cigar. You want the filler to be red hot before taking your first draw. If the cigar isn't fully lit, take a lighter to it again and focus on the unlit areas.

Don't Smoke Your Cigar Too Fast (You'll Regret It) 

A cigar is meant to be enjoyed with good company and at a leisurely pace. If you treat the experience like a sprint, trying to finish as quickly as possible, you'll have a terrible time. A cigar is all natural and contains a higher nicotine level than a cigarette, so it enters your bloodstream faster.

Smoking too fast will cause you to feel light-headed and nauseous. You definitely don't want to be getting sick while enjoying a cigar in a public place like a golf course where bathrooms aren't easily accessible.

A good rule of thumb when smoking cigars is to draw from your cigar every 20-30 seconds. If you start to feel light-headed, ease off a bit and slow your draws to one per minute. A typical robusto sized cigar (5" by 50 ring gauge) should take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half to enjoy.

Watch Your Burn 

Sometimes cigars won't burn evenly. The main reasons why are improper lighting (refer to our advice on toasting the foot), weather conditions and wind, improper storage (too high/low humidity), or construction issues like a tight or loose draw. Uneven draws not only look silly but can also alter the flavour of the cigar.

There are a couple methods to fix an uneven burn. The most efficient and instant one is to take your lighter and touch up the spot that's burning slower. Take the flame to it and light the unburned area until it matches with the faster burning side.

The other method is to lick your thumb and wet the side of the cigar that's burning faster (the cigar itself, not the ash). You may need multiple applications, but the idea is that wetter tobacco burns slower. Just don't slobber all over your thumb.

Remember that premium cigars are hand-rolled, not machine-made. There may be mistakes every now and then that are out of your control. Sometimes a cigar will require numerous touch-ups while smoking.

Be Mindful Of Your Ash 

The ash from your cigar will probably last longer than you expect. Depending on the size and length of the tobacco leaves used, at least an inch of the cigar should fully burn before the ash falls off. If you aren't careful, the ash may decide to fall in your lap! 

Pay attention to the ash while you're smoking and when it gets to around an inch, gently roll your cigar along the ashtray or apply light pressure to it against the side of the ashtray to remove the ash properly. There's no need to flick or tap it, as this may damage the cigar.

NEVER Blow Smoke In Peoples Faces 

Blowing smoke in people's faces is extremely disrespectful and should always be avoided. Under no circumstances should you even consider doing it. If you are dealing with a jerk while enjoying a cigar, our guide on How To Survive Jerks has many ways to handle them that don't resort to stooping to their level. 

If you are smoking with friends, be mindful of wind direction and try to blow your smoke into the wind so it gets carried away from, not toward, your company. If you are smoking indoors, be considerate of those around you. Try not to blow smoke in their general direction if possible.

Take The Band Off When Appropriate 

Cigar bands are usually artistic and eye-catching. However, there will be a time when you need to remove the decorative band to continue enjoying your cigar without burning the band.

When your ash gets near the band, simply peel it off with your fingernail. Cigar bands are glued on using pectin glue, which is non-toxic. The heat from the cigar will warm up the glue, making it easy to remove.

Once you've removed the cigar band, don't crumple it up or throw it on the ground. Either put it on a flat surface nearby or put it in your pocket. Some people may think you didn't enjoy the cigar if you squish the band like you would a piece of paper ready for the recycling bin.

Don't Stamp Your Cigar Out When You're Finished 

When you finish your cigar, avoid the temptation to smoosh it into the ash tray. Doing so will create an unpleasant odour that will linger far longer than you want it to. A finished cigar should be placed in the ashtray and allowed to burn out on its own. Letting it "die with dignity" is proper cigar etiquette.

Summary

Cigars are meant to be enjoyed in a relaxed manner. Smoking a cigar should be an almost meditative experience. Understanding proper cigar etiquette will ensure that your experiences are pleasant for you and respectful to those around you.

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