The art of cigar smoking involves a lot of things, from picking the right cigar to enjoying your smoke to the fullest. Consider this cigars 101 guide as your go-to resource for instant expertise for enjoying tobacco like a true cigar aficionado.
How to pick a cigar
A cigar’s body, shape, and size will help you determine whether it is the right cigar for you depending on your preferences. There’s also a wide variety of flavors, ranging from full-bodied to lighter and milder, and you will probably need to try several before finding the one you like.
Your choice of cigar size and shape should depend on how long you plan to enjoy it: larger cigars provide a prolonged experience, whereas smaller cigars provide a quicker experience.
How to smoke a cigar
- Cut Your Cigar. The goal is to create a smooth, ample opening to smoke from, so you’ll need something sharp.
- Toast It. Rotate your cigar slowly at an angle over your lighter, never flaming the cigar itself.
- Blow Out First. Gently blow the old smoke out to set yourself up for a delightful first draw.
- Puff Gently. Slowly pull the smoke from the cigar into your mouth, not your lungs, and savor the complex intricacies of the flavor.
- Ash Naturally. Allow the ash to build and fall naturally to prevent overheating, and avoid tapping it off.
- Slow Down & Enjoy. Smoking is an indulgence. It takes time to appreciate and learn how to smoke properly.
Tasting notes of a cigar
When you start smoking cigars, noticing everything from flavor to fullness is essential. Using taste and smell as your guide, you might even recognize familiar notes: the perfect balance of coffee and leather, or taste too much bitterness or spice.
Finally, the cigar’s finish determines how long the flavor will stay with you—a cigar with a long finish might linger, while a short one won’t leave much of an aftertaste.
FAQ
How do I pick the right cigar for me?
To pick the right cigar, consider its body, shape, and size based on your preferences. Try different flavors, from full-bodied to milder, to find the one you like. Choose a larger cigar for a prolonged experience and a smaller one for a quicker smoke.
What are the steps to smoke a cigar properly?
To smoke a cigar properly, follow these steps:
- Cut the cigar to create a smooth opening.
- Toast the cigar by rotating it over a lighter.
- Blow out the old smoke gently for a clean start.
- Puff the smoke slowly into your mouth, not your lungs, to savor the flavor.
- Allow the ash to naturally build and fall to prevent overheating.
- Take your time to enjoy the smoking experience.
How can I identify the tasting notes of a cigar?
When smoking cigars, pay attention to the flavor and fullness. Use your taste and smell senses to recognize notes like coffee and leather or detect bitterness or spice. The cigar’s finish will determine how long the flavor lingers.
Can you suggest some tasting notes to look for in a cigar?
While smoking a cigar, keep an eye out for tasting notes like a perfect balance of coffee and leather. You might also detect varying levels of bitterness or spice. The finish will determine how long the flavor stays with you after smoking.
What is the significance of a cigar’s finish?
The finish of a cigar refers to how long the flavor lingers after smoking. A cigar with a long finish will leave its taste with you for a while, while a short finish won’t leave much of an aftertaste.
