Cigar smoking is fundamentally distinct from cigarette consumption, focusing entirely on appreciating the flavor and aroma of fermented tobacco. The rolled tobacco, encased in a whole leaf wrapper, delivers a dense, aromatic smoke intended to be savored on the palate. Unlike a cigarette, a cigar is not designed for deep pulmonary nicotine delivery, meaning the technique involves drawing smoke into the mouth alone.
Preparing the Cigar for Smoking (Cutting and Lighting)
Before lighting, the closed cap, which secures the wrapper leaf, must be removed to create a pathway for the smoke. A clean cut is paramount to ensure a smooth draw and prevent the wrapper from unraveling. Tools like a double-bladed guillotine, a V-cutter, or a punch tool are used, with the straight cut being the most common. The cut should be placed just above the cap line, where the curved head meets the cigar’s shoulder, removing only enough to open the draw without compromising the structure.
The lighting process requires patience and an odorless flame source, such as a butane torch lighter or a cedar spill, to avoid tainting the tobacco’s taste. The initial step is “toasting” the foot—the end being lit—by holding it just above the flame and slowly rotating it. This gently heats the tobacco filler, preparing it for an even ignition without charring the wrapper. Once the foot glows uniformly, the cigar is brought to the mouth, and the final light is achieved by gently puffing while rotating the cigar, ensuring an even, cherry-red burn across the circumference.
Mastering the Mouth Draw (Puffing and Retrohaling)
The proper technique involves drawing the smoke into the mouth, similar to sipping a thick beverage, and holding it there momentarily. The smoke coats the palate and tongue, allowing the flavor notes of the tobacco to be perceived. The smoke must never pass the back of the throat or enter the lungs, as this would be harsh and overwhelming.
Maintaining the cigar at a comfortable temperature is achieved by controlling the puffing frequency, generally about once every 30 to 60 seconds. Puffing too often causes the cigar to burn hot, resulting in a bitter, acrid taste. Puffing too infrequently will cause the cigar to go out. If the smoke becomes stale or tastes heavy, a technique called “purging” can be used, which involves gently blowing out through the cigar to expel the trapped smoke.
A more advanced method for appreciating the full profile is retrohaling, where a small amount of smoke held in the mouth is gently pushed out through the nasal passages. This action engages the olfactory receptors, which detect complex aromas the tongue cannot. Retrohaling enhances the perception of subtle notes like spice, earth, and leather, providing a richer experience without the smoke entering the lungs.
Why Cigar Smoke Should Not Be Inhaled
The primary reason cigar smoke should not be inhaled relates to its chemical composition and mechanism of nicotine absorption. Cigar tobacco undergoes a natural fermentation process that yields smoke with a high, alkaline pH level. This high alkalinity keeps the nicotine in its unionized, or freebase, form.
Nicotine in its freebase form is readily absorbed directly through the mucous membranes of the mouth, a process known as buccal absorption. A cigar smoker absorbs sufficient nicotine simply by holding the smoke in their mouth, negating the need for deep inhalation. In contrast, cigarette smoke is more acidic, requiring inhalation for nicotine to be absorbed effectively in the lungs.
Furthermore, cigar smoke is denser, unfiltered, and contains higher concentrations of tar and nicotine per puff than cigarette smoke. Inhaling this thick, alkaline smoke is physically irritating to the delicate tissues of the throat and lungs, often leading to immediate coughing and discomfort. Attempting to inhale also leads to a rapid, excessive intake of nicotine, which can result in symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as nausea and dizziness.