A cigar is a tightly rolled bundle of dried and fermented tobacco leaves, traditionally made to be smoked. Unlike cigarettes, cigars are generally larger and contain different types of tobacco, often consisting of a filler, binder, and an outer wrapper leaf. Smoking a cigar is widely considered an intentional, sensory experience rather than merely a method of nicotine delivery. This process involves savoring the complex flavors derived from the aged tobacco, requiring specific techniques for preparation and enjoyment.
Preparing the Cigar for Smoking
The journey begins with selecting the cigar, considering the wrapper leaf’s color (like Connecticut or Maduro) and size (like robusto or corona), which influence flavor and duration. Once chosen, the cigar must be cut to create an opening for the smoke draw without causing the delicate outer wrapper to unravel.
The cut is performed on the cap, the rounded piece of wrapper leaf that seals the head of the cigar. Tools like a straight guillotine cutter, a punch cutter, or a V-cutter are commonly used to achieve a clean opening. The punch creates a small, circular hole, and the V-cutter makes a wedge-shaped notch.
The cut must be made just above the cap line, or the “shoulder” of the cigar, where the cap meets the main body of the wrapper leaf. Cutting too far down compromises the structural integrity, potentially leading to the wrapper unrolling during the smoke.
Proper Techniques for Lighting
Butane torch lighters are preferred for ignition because the fuel burns cleanly, unlike the sulfur and petroleum derivatives found in common fluid lighters. Cedar spills, thin strips of cedarwood, also offer a clean burn and impart a subtle woody aroma. Using these tools prevents the introduction of foreign flavors that can taint the tobacco.
The process should begin by “toasting” the foot, the end of the cigar to be lit, without letting the flame actually touch the tobacco. Hold the foot just above the flame and slowly rotate the cigar until the edge begins to glow and turn gray. This pre-heating step helps ensure an even burn from the first puff.
After toasting, place the cigar in the mouth and continue holding the flame near the foot while gently puffing and rotating. This action draws the heat inward, fully igniting the filler tobacco. The goal is a uniform, cherry-red ring of combustion across the entire diameter of the foot.
How to Draw and Taste the Smoke
The technique for drawing smoke from a cigar differs fundamentally from smoking a cigarette, as the smoke should never be inhaled into the lungs. Cigar smoke is generally more alkaline and concentrated, making inhalation harsh and unnecessary for flavor absorption. Instead, the process involves a gentle “mouth puff,” drawing the smoke into the mouth only.
Once the mouth is full of smoke, the flavor is savored by allowing the smoke to rest on the palate for a few moments before releasing it. Complex notes of leather, spice, earth, or cocoa are detected by the taste receptors and olfactory nerves. For a deeper appreciation of the flavors, some smokers employ a technique called “retrohaling.”
Retrohaling involves slowly pushing a small amount of the smoke out through the nose after it has rested in the mouth. This allows the smoke compounds to interact directly with the highly sensitive olfactory bulb, intensifying the perceived aromas and flavors. This method is optional but greatly enhances the sensory experience.
Maintaining the proper burn rate is important for flavor quality and a cool smoke. Pacing should be slow, with a gentle puff approximately once every 30 to 60 seconds. Puffing too frequently causes the tobacco to overheat, producing harsh, acrid, and bitter combustion byproducts.
This slow rhythm keeps the internal temperature lower, allowing volatile compounds to vaporize smoothly and preserving the nuanced flavor profile of the filler and wrapper tobaccos.
Ashing and Putting the Cigar Down
Throughout the smoke, the ash should be allowed to build up on the end of the cigar. A long, firm column of ash indicates a well-constructed cigar burning at a desirable, steady temperature. This ash layer serves a functional purpose by insulating the lit cherry, which helps keep the burn cool and consistent.
When the ash reaches approximately one to one-and-a-half inches in length, it should be removed gently. Rather than flicking the cigar aggressively, the ash is best removed by lightly rolling the end against the side of an ashtray. This controlled action prevents stray ash from falling.
The smoking experience concludes when the flavor becomes too concentrated or the cigar is too hot to hold comfortably. To finish, set the cigar down in the ashtray and allow it to extinguish naturally. Stubbing it out is unnecessary and releases stale, unpleasant odors.
Allowing the cigar to rest starves the tobacco of oxygen, causing the cherry to fade out on its own. This natural cessation provides a cleaner end to the smoking session.