Demonstrating polite behavior and a certain degree of decorum ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone. Cigar etiquette covers many aspects of the cigar smoking experience, from lighting your stick correctly to putting out your stogie.
Being mindful of your behavior and respectful of others will quickly endear you to smokers at all levels of experience. By adhering to these rules and traditions, you’ll evolve into a refined and well-educated cigar smoker representing the cigar world like the classy person you are.
Remember that, like everyone else, you’re there to enjoy yourself and appreciate one of America’s most popular pastimes. Take the time to learn the essential cigar etiquette tips every smoker needs to know.
Take Your Time When Smoking a Cigar
Smoking a cigar is more akin to running a marathon than a sprint. There are no accolades for finishing your stogie in record time, and such haste is generally frowned upon within cigar aficionado circles. Rushing through a cigar is a common mistake made by beginners, resulting in accelerated burning of the tobacco leaves and leaving behind a bitter taste.
To fully appreciate the experience, it’s best to puff on your cigar at intervals of about a minute. This allows for a consistent burn and gives the cigar time to cool, ensuring you can savor the blend of aromas and flavors. Cigars are crafted to be enjoyed and savored, making it advisable for first-time smokers to keep a glass of water nearby to stay hydrated.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
While cigars can be enjoyed with a variety of beverages, dipping your cigar into your drink is strongly discouraged. Not only does this fail to enhance the flavor, but it also introduces ash into your beverage. Excessive moisture from dipping can also impede the cigar’s draw.
Infused cigars, where flavors are incorporated into the blend, do exist. However, traditional cigars are meticulously crafted by master blenders to be enjoyed as they are. Reserve the dunking for tea and biscuits.
Mind Your Ash
Attempting to maintain an excessively long ash is not recommended. Besides the risk of getting “ashed” – with flakes and smudges on your clothes – an overly long ash can be unwieldy. While ash does help regulate smoke temperature, it should ideally not exceed an inch. When the time is right, gently tap your cigar into an ashtray to prevent any mishaps.
End Gracefully
Stubbing out a cigar prematurely is considered amateurish. Instead, allow the cigar to extinguish on its own by placing it on the edge of the ashtray.
Rekindle with Care
If your cigar requires relighting, do so delicately, avoiding relighting it while in your mouth. Hold the cigar with your fingertips and lightly toast the end with your lighter, following the same procedure as the initial lighting.
Size Matters
Cutting a cigar in half may seem like a way to extend its life, but it compromises the craftsmanship put into its construction. Choosing an appropriate cigar size is crucial, especially for beginners. If a cigar feels too large, opt for a smaller size rather than cutting it in half.
Preserve and Respect
If you find yourself with a half-smoked cigar, refrain from storing it in your humidor. Instead, let it go out naturally, trim the ash, and store it in a ziplock bag for no more than a day to preserve its integrity.
Etiquette in Cigar Lounges
Cigar lounges provide a sanctuary for enthusiasts to enjoy premium cigars. It’s essential to respect the establishment’s dress code and purchase cigars from the lounge rather than bringing your own. Other general rules of etiquette, such as respecting personal space and preferences, apply both inside and outside cigar lounges.
By adhering to these guidelines on cigar etiquette, you can ensure a pleasant experience not only for yourself but also for those around you. While cigar smoking is a personal indulgence, it’s one that can be enjoyed in the company of others when approached with consideration and respect.