Are you looking to fit in with an elite crowd? Do you aspire to give off suave confidence at events like weddings, golf tournaments, and other celebrations?
If so, you might want to consider cigar smoking. In moderation, cigars can be a relaxing and enjoyable activity that lets you socialize with others—and look cool while doing so.
If you’re unsure how to smoke a cigar, you’ve come to the right place. By the time you finish reading this cigar-smoking guide, you’ll be on your way to puffing smoke better than Fidel Castro.
Read on to learn all about how to properly smoke a cigar.
Know How to Choose the Best Cigars
It’s tempting to head to a local smoke shop and pick up the cheapest cigar available, but try to avoid doing that. As is the case with other indulgences like wine, picking the wrong variety can leave you with a lasting negative impression that’s difficult to shake.
There are a few different factors that you need to consider before deciding on a specific cigar. Let’s take a look at a couple of the most important ones.
Size and Body
If you’re a beer drinker, what types do you enjoy the most? Dark and strong brews, or lighter and smoother ones?
As a general rule of thumb, you can apply your beer preferences to cigars. If you prefer a stronger, more intense taste, you’ll probably also like darker cigars. If you enjoy lighter beers, there’s a good chance that lighter cigars are up your alley.
Keep in mind that length has nothing to do with the strength of the cigar. You can find tiny cigars that are strong and massive ones that are milder. Size instead refers to the length of time you’ll spend smoking it.
It might take you some time to find a cigar that you mesh well with. You can also ask any smoker friends you have for recommendations!
Quality
Once you’re clear on your preferences, you’ll then need to consider the quality of the cigars you’re looking at.
The best types of cigars are those that look new and pristine. The wrapper should appear undamaged and uniform, as this signifies a high-quality product. You also want the color to be consistent throughout the entire body.
Branded cigars are the best option if you are looking for the best quality. In this regard, you can always look for original Cuban cigars for sale to avoid buying a replica or low-quality product. The genuine cigars come in beautiful packaging with protective seals around the container. Moreover, Cuban brands use a special golden lining on their cigars as a sign of quality assurance. If a cigar checks all these boxes, it won’t be wrong to expect excellent quality from the product.
When you hold the cigar in your hand, make sure that it feels supple and sturdy. If it feels dry or like it may break when you grip it, choose another one. These types of cigars burn too quickly to give you an enjoyable smoking experience.
To make sure that cigars are high quality, don’t be afraid to ask for more info.
Smell It Before You Buy It
Every wine connoisseur knows that part of the fun of drinking wine comes from smelling the fragrances present. The same goes for cigar smoking.
When you’re at a cigar shop, most of the cigars that you look at will be behind plastic. Make a point to ask the shop owner if you can smell them. Knowledgeable store owners will understand that smelling is an important part of the decision-making process.
Hold it close to your nose and inhale. If you find the smell pleasant, smoking it should also be enjoyable. If it smells revolting to you, put it down and look for a different cigar.
Cut the Cigar
After you decide on a cigar to smoke and bring it home, the first thing you’ll need to do is cut it. You’ll need a cigar cutter to do this—don’t try to DIY with a knife or other sharp object.
Cutting it reveals the interior of the cigar and the area that you’ll light, so it’s important to cut it correctly. If you don’t, it’ll affect your smoking experience.
Try to cut around 1/8th of an inch off the cigar. Many people cut much more than that, but that’s unnecessary and causes you to waste part of the cigar. Don’t cut any more than the very end off.
Toast and Light It
Before smoking, you need to take a moment to toast the cigar. This hearts up the exterior layer of it, ensuring that the cigar burns evenly once you start smoking.
To toast it, hold the cigar at an angle while you apply heat to the end. Make sure to rotate it while doing this.
When you’re ready to light the cigar, you don’t need to touch the actual flame to the foot. Hold it close enough for it to catch, then inhale. It might take you a few tries, but you should eventually feel smoke enter your mouth.
Smoke and Manage the Ash
It’s not a good idea to inhale cigar smoke, as it can lead to many different health problems. Instead, breathe in like your sucking on a straw, close the path to your nose, then puff out every 30 seconds or so.
When you start to notice a buildup of ash at the end, you’ll want to tap it off. You’ll need an ashtray to do that.
Don’t smash it, but tap it gently until the ash falls off. Be careful not to burn your fingers or damage the cigar while doing this!
Understand How to Smoke a Cigar
Whether you’re trying to class it up for a formal event or want to revisit the basics, it’s important that you understand how to smoke a cigar.
Use these cigar smoking tips to help you understand the basics. Remember that smoking is a much more enjoyable experience when you buy a high-quality cigar!
Do you now have a better understanding of how to properly smoke a cigar? if you do, make sure to check out the rest of our site for more great content.