Skip to main content

How to smoke a cigar: Our ultimate guide

Everything you need to know about smoking a cigar properly.

From vape pens to CBG joints, we're inundated these days with all kinds of things to inhale. While there's a lot of noise in this realm, the cigar has held its position, relying on distinctive tobacco and tobacco blends to offer a real, tangible smoking experience without any related high. It's about the flavor – and while we acknowledge the health concerns of smoking any tobacco product – the aesthetic of smoking a cigar. There's something sexy about a person with a cigar in hand, especially if they know what they're doing. And that's what this guide is all about.

Difficulty

Easy

What You Need

  • Cigar

  • Cigar cutter

  • Lighter (ideally a torch lighter)

  • Ashtray

Of all the smokeable products out there, cigars — especially the best cigars — are arguably the most luxurious. Over the years, the elegantly rolled stogie has been given the kind of status we generally reserve for fine wine, velvet house robes, and truffles. And for good reason, as the best of the bunch tend to have the same sort of nuanced and distinct origin that we expect from a fine vino.

But that's not to say it's the easiest hobby to stroll right into. In fact, cigars — like vintage Champagne, sailing, or cooking a lobster — can be a little intimidating. We're here to quell that sensation and get you on the right track, cigar in hand. Here's the low-down on how to smoke a cigar like a boss.

Selection of cigars in an ashtray resting on a wooden table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to choose a cigar

Before you start, we recommend checking out our guide to the cigar types you should know. It'll give you the lowdown on the types of cigars you're likely to encounter, as well as a better idea of those you're most likely to enjoy. On an even more basic level, the guide also offers more information about the difference between mild, medium, and bold cigars.

Essentially, you should look for a cigar the way you might look for that perfect piece of produce. In most cases, it ought to have integrity (meaning it's firm throughout) and no blemishes. The best place to start might be with the person working the counter at your local cigar shop. There, you'll not only be treated to a crash course should you ask for one, but you'll be able to take a few options out of the case and smell for yourself. This is the best way to see what your cigar palate is really after.

Here are the main types of cigars:

Robusto

Quite common, the Robusto is the workhorse, burning 30-45 minutes and creating a pretty high level of smoke. It has recently been the most popular cigar on the market.

Belicoso

Short and set up with a spire-like tip, the Belicoso tends to be a bit shorter and more tapered than other cigars. Its torpedo-esque shape makes it distinctive, and these cigars tend to offer a bit more concentration in terms of flavor and aromatics.

Corona

Another iconic cigar build, the Corona are among the most approachable, with good concentration and a length of up to about six inches.

Lonsdale

The Lonsdale tends to burn longer, which is no surprise given that it also tends to be longer in length. The draw, or act of taking in the cigar while it burns, is particularly graceful with the Lonsdale.

Panetela

Thin and long, the Panetela offers a pronounced air of refinement. Because of the smaller diameter, the flavors tend to revolve a bit more around the wrapper leaf without overpowering the tobacco.

Churchill

Named after the cigar-loving statesman, the Churchill is large and in charge. It's thick and outspoken, much like the man himself, with the most famous being the Romeo y Julieta.

Closeup of hands cutting  a cigar with a cigar cutter.
Genevieve Poblano/The Manual

How to cut a cigar

Unless you're camping or holed up somewhere far from civilization, there's no good reason to cut a cigar without a proper clipper. You'll end up with a poor snip that leaves you drawing from an uneven or frayed surface. Like pulling off a Band-aid, quick and direct is the way to go, and be sure to cut close to the end to maximize the length of your smoke. A fast cut generally produces a clean, even surface for maximum enjoyment.

Remember to keep your cutter clean. You can do so by simply dunking it in hot water for about an hour and giving it a bit of a scrub and towel dry. If you're in a bind with dulling blades, you can deburr the cutter as well. Roll up a small cylinder of aluminum foil, roughly the size of a cigar. Cut the foil with your cutter in half-inch increments, making multiple cuts. The foil will actually sharpen your cutter blades, allowing for a better chop of your next stogie.

Closeup of someone lighting a cigar with a lighter.
Genevieve Poblano/The Manual

How to light a cigar

Many tools create fire, but the objective here is an even flame that won’t torch the cigar nor affect its inherent flavors. A torch lighter is the best kind of lighter for the task, and a vast improvement over a matchbook or conventional lighter.

Step 1: Position the cigar above the flame to "prime" the cigar.

Step 2: Spin it around slowly to burn the end evenly until you're treated to a nice, fairly uniform orange glow. That's when you know it's game time.

Step 3: At this point, the cigar is ready to smoke. Practice does make perfect here, so don't be upset if you char your first or create some unevenness. Like roasting a marshmallow, you'll get the hang of it, especially as you further familiarize yourself with the strength of your torch and how different types of cigars react to it.

Closeup of a man smoking a cigar.
Genevieve Poblano/The Manual

How to smoke a cigar

First things first: You do not inhale cigar smoke. Your lungs and body at large wouldn't like you much for that.

Step 1: The key here is a smooth, shallow puff, akin to pulling air through a straw without actually inhaling. Think of the smoke as something you mull over and even chew on more than ingest. Take in enough to fill your mouth and then blow it out.

Step 2: Repeat four or five times (maybe more) until your cigar starts producing thick white smoke.

Step 3: By now, the cigar should really be on autopilot. Slow your puffs and simply enjoy the fragrance and the feeling of having the thing in your hand. Keep the smoke in your mouth for 10-30 seconds to enjoy the aroma and taste.

Step 4: To keep it going, puff casually every minute or so. Rotate the cigar every few puffs to keep it dwindling evenly. Cigars can be pretty intense, so treat it like a marathon and not a sprint. Out-puffing your pal will only make you queasy.

Step 5: And remember: There's no rule that you have to smoke the whole thing in one sitting. Cigars can be paused and relit later on, no problem. It's suggested you do so within about two hours, however, as they are somewhat perishable.

Two lit cigars resting in a brown glass ashtray.

Tips, tricks, and conventions of smoking cigars

Removing the cigar's label is a matter of personal preference. Some guys prefer to do it right away, and others like to leave it on for the duration of the smoke session. This is up to you, but if you want to remove it, we suggest leaving it on for a few minutes first. The heat of the cigar will loosen the adhesive, and you'll be less likely to damage the cigar's wrap when you take it off.

As you smoke, your cigar will begin to develop a head of ash on the tip. You do not need to tap this off like you would with a cigarette. Feel free to leave it there for a while. A big ash is a sign of a quality cigar — but don’t let it get super long either. Too much ash on the end can hinder airflow, which leads the tobacco to burn irregularly, and also affects the flavor. Try not to let it get longer than an inch or so, and when you ash it, don’t tap it off as you would with a cigarette — gently roll it on the ashtray until it breaks off.

Cigars pair well with whiskey

Sometimes, you may just want to smoke a cigar. Other times, though, you'll want to compliment your smoking with a stiff drink. If you do so, whiskey may be your natural first choice, and we have a full guide that will help you choose the ideal whiskey to pair with whatever cigar you happen to be smoking.

Of course, there's no requirement that you pair your cigar with whiskey. Your only objective should be finding combinations that work well for you. Find a cigar that works, and then pair that cigar with an alcoholic beverage that works. There is no "right" combination. Don't worry too much about whether your pairing preference makes sense to anyone else.

Cigars are a key part of poker night

If you've got the alcohol and a selection of the best cigars, the natural next step is to get your crew together for a poker night. If you choose to do that, be sure to choose a fairly expansive selection of alcohol and cigars, based on what those in your circle may like. Cigar tastes are like everything else — everybody's got their own opinion.

How old do you have to be to smoke a cigar?

The minimum age to smoke a cigar is 21 years old in the United States due to the federal Tobacco 21 law, passed in December 2019. The law prohibits the sale of tobacco products, including cigars, to anyone under the age of 21. This law applies to all retail establishments and persons, with no exceptions.

Some states have even stricter laws than the federal law. For example, in California, the minimum age to smoke a cigar is 21 years old, and it is also illegal to smoke a cigar in public places.

It is important to note that even if you are over 21, smoking cigars can harm your health. Cigars contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive drug. Smoking cigars can also increase your risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and other health problems.

Editors' Recommendations

Joe Allen
Contributor
Joe Allen is a freelance culture writer based in upstate New York. His work has been published in The Washington Post, The…
Disney Plus GroupWatch: What is it, and how does it work?
Watch a show or movie along with friends in real time
A Disney Plus screen preparing for GroupWatch.

One of the best features of Disney Plus is its Watch Party feature, also known as GroupWatch. It's a great way of joining together to watch all your favorite shows via the streaming service. Read on to learn more about how to use Disney Plus GroupWatch, or check out this list of the best movies on Disney Plus.

What is Disney Plus GroupWatch?
Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney Plus GroupWatch allows you to watch a show or movie together with up to six other friends remotely. It allows for an entirely virtual watch party, where everyone can watch and react to the same thing in real time. The feature syncs Disney Plus playback across the group so that everyone is watching the same thing at the same time. While doing so, each user can pause, rewind, or fast-forward the content for the whole party, so no one ever falls behind. There is no "leader" of the GroupWatch. Everyone is equal and has the ability to control the viewing experience.

Read more
The 10 best action stars ever: Our top picks
From Arnold to Sigourney Weaver, these action stars thrill and excite us
best action stars of all time john wick cropped

Action movies place fans in the middle of climactic, life-altering events. Through these, we can vicariously experience the thrill of death-defying circumstances without any real danger. The best action actors are the vessels through which we make these memories. Movie stars who take command of an action flick possess an eerie charisma and an earth-shattering sense of confidence. They're a reflection of the qualities we all wish we had under duress, and they continue to captivate us even when the lights go dim and the movie has ended. These are the 10 best action heroes of all time.

Black Widow vs Hammer Security - Fight Scene - Iron-Man 2 (2010) Movie CLIP HD
10. Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson wasn't always known for kicking ass in black tights and long red hair. ScarJo came into her own in critical darlings like Lost in Translation with Bill Murray before she won the role of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is that exact versatility that she owned before reaching into the depths of her heroism that made her a fan favorite amongst so many other bigger-named heroes in movies like The Avengers.

Read more
The 10 best World War II movies: Our top picks
The most devastating conflict in human history has made for some truly compelling cinema
Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, and other actors playing as American soldiers riding a boat in "Saving Private Ryan."

 

There's no way around it: World War II is still the most relevant conflict in modern history. With so much death and destruction, it took decades for some countries to recover from the blood shed; some countries are still affected by the aftermath almost a century afterwards. Because of the layered, multi-faceted extent of the war, filmmakers have been able to dissect and analyze various stories, people, and places that shaped the war period. Christopher Nolan's newest movie, Oppenheimer, is set to cover the process of how the atomic bomb was created; this was the weapon that essentially ended the war. To get ready, we're here to give you our top picks for the best World War II movies.

Read more