Smoking Cigars: 4 Tips to Get the Most out of Your Experience

smoking cigars with friends

smoking cigars

When it comes to smoking cigars, everyone wants to get the most out of their experience. We take a look at 4 tips that will help, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro.

These days, it seems that more and more American adults are smoking cigars on a regular basis. For most people, smoking cigars is something they do to relax and forget about the stress of their day.

When beginning your journey into the world of cigars, you’ll need to do a bit of research. With some research, you can figure out what types of cigars are best suited for your tastes.

There are also some tips you should know to get the most out of smoking cigars. Even seasoned cigar enthusiasts are always looking for new ways to enjoy their cigar smoking experience.

Read below to learn about four tips that will help you get the most out of smoking cigars. Just remember that there are few hard and fast rules when it comes to enjoying your cigar.

1. Smoking Cigars Should Be a Relaxing and Enjoyable Process, So Take Your Time
People who have smoked cigarettes for years or are new to smoking, in general, will often get in a hurry the first time they smoke cigars. Rushing through this experience will only lead to disappointment and can certainly compromise the flavor of the cigar.
The faster you smoke the cigar, the higher the temperature of your ember will become. This hot burn will usually lead to less than stellar flavor profiles and can hide the enjoyable nuances of the cigar.

Taking a hit of your cigar every 30 seconds or so is preferable. By doing this, you can keep your flame at the right temperature and unleash the hidden flavors within the cigar.

2. Learn How to Cut Your Cigar Properly
Before you fire up your first cigar, you will need to cut a piece of the cap off. By cutting off the right amount of cap, you can more thoroughly enjoy your smoking experience.
The biggest mistake that most new cigar smokers make is cutting off too much of the cap. You should only clip off as much of the cap that is necessary to get a good draw.
Cutting off too much of the cap will generally result in the cigar unraveling. Instead of wasting a perfectly good cigar, simply make a shallow cut of the stogie and proceed. If the draw is inadequate, just snip off a bit more.
Some smokers prefer to use a punch cutter to put a neat hole in the cap or a V-cutter. Feel free to experiment with different types of cuts to find the method that best suits you.
Another tip is to use a sharp quality cigar cutter. This ensures your cut will be clean and precise. Want to know more about the different cigar cuts? Read this article.

3. Tips for 
Lighting a cigar properly is a bit harder than it looks, but is easily learned.
To get your cigar lit properly, rotate your flame around the end of it. As you rotate the lighter, gently puff on the cigar. Many cigar smokers prefer to “toast” their smokes first by igniting the foot with an indirect flame, which allows for a cooler ember to start with. By following these steps, you should have no problem getting your cigar lit with ease.
A lighter that burns lighter fluid instead of butane should be avoided, as that will impart that nasty petroleum smell to your cigar. If you use matches, be sure to let the match burn long enough to dispel the sulfur aroma before putting it to the cigar.
As for putting out your cigar, just let it die a natural death rather than crushing it out like a cigarette. Mashing out your cigar will only lead to a stinky atmosphere that will turn everyone off and cling to your fingers. A cigar left alone in an ashtray will usually self-extinguish in a matter of a few minutes.

4. Proper Cigar Storage
Neglecting to store your new cigars properly can lead to them becoming brittle, hard to keep lit, or tasting harsh and bitter. The best way to ensure a cigar will be at its best is by investing in a humidor.
There are a number of quality desktop humidors on the market. When looking for a humidor, be sure to consider what type of wood its interior is made from. Most smokers prefer humidors made from Spanish cedar wood because they hold in moisture and add a nice woody fragrance, but, there are other woods such as American Red Cedar and Honduran Mahogany, which are a not quite as prevalent in humidor construction. If you’re considering a quality humidor, a reputable and knowledgeable supplier will guide you in the right direction.
On top of that, an effective humidification delivery system is crucial to maintaining an ideal and consistent environment for your cigars.

Make Sure You Find the Right Cigar Supplier
If you want to start smoking cigars, or if you’ve been looking for quality cigars, you need to find the right supplier; one who has a great deal of knowledge on many aspects of the cigar world. Cuenca Cigars is just that supplier.

We have a deep-rooted passion for cigars that began in Cuba decades ago. We’re more than a cigar store; we’re a family. We are dedicated to extending that warmth to all our customers.
If you’re looking for high-quality cigars at great prices, check out our selection.