Questions & Tips on Smoking a Cigar

I just recently began smoking cigars, what is the proper way to do it?

Answer

Most of us can remember the day we were handed our first smoke and we had no clue how to go about it. We get dozens of emails that confirm this. My first cigar, a Churchill, I smoked down to the nub and inhaled the smoke…and felt sick all night. I hope that the answers to the questions below can help you be more at ease than I was my first time:

How do you hold the cigar, I assume not like a cigarette, but I’m kind of clueless as it is.

Answer

Do not hold a cigar between your index and middle finger like a cigarette, instead hold it between your index finger and thumb. Should I remove the band from the cigar before lighting it? It is a personal choice to remove the band of the cigar, but be aware that in certain places it is considered rude to advertise the brand you’re smoking. If you decide to take off the band, wait until you have smoked the cigar for a few minutes. The heat will make the gum on the band less adhesive and easier to remove without tearing the delicate wrapper.

What is the proper way to light a cigar?

 Answer

You can light a cigar with a gas lighter or matches, but a gasoline lighter will affect its taste. You can find special cigar matches, which light up slowly, but an ordinary match will do. The most important thing is to take your time to light your cigar. Hold the cigar horizontally in contact with the flame. Rotate the flame around the foot of the cigar (the open end) until it starts to burn, then puff lightly. Make sure the burn is regular to avoid one side from burning faster than the other. Exhale gently over the foot of the cigar to assure a regular combustion. Some like to use a piece of cedar to light their cigars. Next time you buy a box of cigars, break off a piece of the cedar between the layer of cigars and try lighting your cigar with it.

While smoking a cigar... do I have to inhale all the smoke? ... Or just a little?

 Answer

How about…none at all! You should not inhale the cigar smoke. The high alkalinity and poor amount of nicotine will make you cough and besides, you can enjoy a cigar’s flavor and body without inhaling.

How long should it take me to smoke a cigar?

 Answer

To really appreciate your cigar, smoke slowly and not draw too frequently, which will heat it and spoil the taste. You should take about a puff a minute. To smoke a corona should take about one half hour, and the bigger cigars such as a Churchill or a Double Corona can take more than an hour.

What should I do if my cigar stops burning?

 Answer

Do not worry, this is normal, especially if you have smoked more than half of it. Make the ash fall and light it up while burning the end of the wrapper. Next, exhale to chase out the cold smoke and light up your cigar as you would a new one. By doing this, you can smoke a cigar until two hours after you put it off; after two hours the whole cigar will have acquired the taste of the cold smoke. The longer sizes can be smoked the day after if less than half of it has been smoked.

I have been told it is bad form to shake the ash of a cigar, why?

 Answer

That is because the better the cigar has been made the longer the ash. However, it is not necessary to shake the cigars to make the ash fall prematurely, nor is there need to try to keep it as long as possible: too long, it obstructs the airflow and irregular combustion develops. I will admit that I have been guilty of this because it is fun to see how long you can keep the ash!

How do I know when I should put down a cigar? I read on the Internet that you should never smoke more than half.

 Answer

When a cigar begins to let off too much heat and leaves an aftertaste in your mouth (generally during the last 2 inches), it is time to put it off. You don't have to put off a cigar like a cigarette by crushing it on an ashtray: just let it stop burning by itself inside the ashtray. Do throw it away soon to avoid impregnating the room with the tenacious odor of cold tobacco.

Questions on How to Properly Store Cigars

How should I store my cigars to keep them from drying up?

Answer

Proper cigar storage is crucial. If you do not store your cigars properly you may encounter some of the following problems: uneven or too rapid burn, harsh or bitter taste, broken wrapper, difficulty lighting or keeping the cigar lit, mold, and –oh horror of horrors!- tiny holes in your cigars, a sign of tobacco beetle infestation. You can prevent these problems by keeping your cigars below the maximum temperature of 73°F (23°C) and between 68-74% humidity. Ideal conditions are 70°F (21°C) and 70% humidity. Cigars kept outside of a humidor may last 1-2 weeks depending on your climate, but make sure that you keep them in a sealed plastic bag.

Choose a humidor that is large enough for the quantity of cigars you wish to keep and that has good construction and a tight seal. Most humidors will include a hygrometer and humidifier but you can also purchase these devices separately.

TIP

• At first, check the humidity level at least every two weeks to ensure that the humidity does not vary.
• Once a month (more often in arid weather conditions) add distilled water to the humidifier.
• Other sources, such as tap water, contain minerals and chlorine that can clog the humidifier’s pores and inhibit operation. 
• Store your humidor in a cool, dry place to prevent mold growth. Avoid placing your cigars in direct sunlight. If the temperature and humidity get too high, cigars can develop a potentially damaging fungus or mold.
• Another hazard of cigars stored in too hot or humid an environment is an infestation of worms called lacioderma. The worms lay eggs inside cigars and burrow out, forming tiny holes in the wrapper and metamorphosing into tiny, brown beetles. If you discover the presence of worm holes in your cigars, remove and destroy the affected cigars immediately, and then carefully inspect all the cigars in your humidor for signs of infestation.
• To check if the hygrometer is reading correctly, use the salt method to test its calibration.
• Do not keep your cigars in the refrigerator as it will suck out the moisture content of your sticks. Freezing your cigars is an extreme measure to be used only in case of bug infestation at the risk of damaging the cigars (but getting rid of the bugs is a victory of its own!).

What is the difference between the types of cutters and which one is right for me?

Cutting your cigar is not rocket science but certain basic skills and good materials are needed to give your cigar a clean cut. If you don’t have the appropriate tools or don’t cut where you are supposed to your wrapper will unravel and it may be bothersome while you smoke.

  The Guillotine

A single blade cutter designed to cut off the cap. Most will cut up to 54 ring cigars.

Pros

These are some of the cheapest cutters you can find.

Cons

You will need to cut your cigar in one quick, strong movement to get acceptable results. 

The Double Blade

It is the same concept as the guillotine, but the two blades provide a more precise cut. You will also need to cut with force, but some sophisticated double blade cutters like the Xikar® Xi Cutter have a spring mechanism that ensures a clean cut every time.

Pros

You can cut any shape cigar, including Figurado shapes like Torpedo.

Cons

Be careful not to cut below the cap or your cigar wrapper will unravel.

The Punch

The punch cutter will cleanly cut a small hole on the head of the cigar. To cut a bigger hole, you just need to insert the punch several times at different places of the cap until you get the desired width.

Pros

No cutting skills required, and you can conveniently carry your cutter around using the key ring attachment.

Cons

You cannot use this type of cutter on Figurado shapes. 

Cigar Scissors

Just like a double blade cutter, the cigar scissors cut off the cap of the cigar.

Pros

They have an elegant, sophisticated look and some, like the Xikar® Multi Tool Scissors, are very lightweight and small.

Cons

You will need special cigar cutting scissors with surgical quality stainless steel.

V-Shape Cutter

This cutter will cut a V-shape hole on the cap of your cigar.

Pros

Will give you more surface area than the punch and works great on small ring cigars.

Cons

Don’t bother with a cheap V-shape cutter; it will most likely damage your cigar.

Can dry cigars be restored?

Answer

Maybe you forgot a cigar box inside your closet. Or you neglected your humidor. In any case, your cigars are hard and as dry as your mother-in-law’s meatloaf. Do not worry, they can be restored! All you need to do is remember one essential rule: Restoring dry cigars is a slow process. Let’s take a look at several methods to restore dry cigars.

The Quarter Turn Method

Slowly expose the open cigar box to humidity in a cellar or other damp location rotating the cigars for about a week (longer if the cigars are extremely dry). Then place the cigars in a humidor at 70% humidity and every 2-3 days give them a quarter turn rotation until all cigars have been fully rotated at least twice. This method is recommended by Theo Rudman in his book “Complete Pocket Guide to Cigars”.

Make little holes on a large ziplock bag and insert the open box of cigars. Close the bag and insert it into a larger ziplock bag. Insert a slightly damp sponge in the second bag and seal. As with the previous method, rotate the cigars from top to bottom and side to side every couple of days to ensure even humidification.

Wrap the closed cigar box with a damp towel for 2 weeks.

You will need a reliable hygrometer. Place the hygrometer and the cigars in an airtight, transparent container so that you can read the relative humidity (RH) without opening the container. After a few hours, read the RH. Use a humidifier device and put a little water (+/- a teaspoon) on the sponge and place it in the container. Keep it closed. After a while, RH should go up a little. Repeat every 24 hours until RH is 70%. Once you get this level, maintain it by adding water as needed during 2 or 3 weeks. Never go under 65%, and don't panic if the RH goes up to 75%, but avoid going over this maximum. During this process, keep the container in a cool place away from light and heat.

Let the cigars rest for a week in a humidor that hasn’t been charged recently. Then, partially fill the humidifier and let the cigars rest for a week. You can now fully charge the humidifier.

Place the open cigar box inside the bathroom while you take a hot shower (close the box if the cigars are too dry). When you are finished, close the box to trap the moisture inside. Rotate the cigars every 2-3 days. After two weeks of doing this, you can place the cigars inside a properly maintained humidor.

These methods all have in common time and slow humidification of the cigars. Choose the one that is more convenient to you. It is always a good idea to take the cigars out of their cellophane wrappers or tubes before restoring them. Once restored, wait a few weeks before smoking until the humidity stabilizes. You may not be able to restore the cigars to their original quality but they can certainly be enjoyable smokes if you take the time to bring them back to life.

Article written by M. Holman