Cutting: There are different ways to cut a cigar and various tools to help. Cutting a cigar is one part of the whole experience and ritual of enjoying a cigar. Don’t ruin a good cigar with a bad cut. Read through these helpful tips before cutting, and then enjoy any cigar with confidence.
Knowledge is confidence. Before cutting a cigar, or anything, it is a good idea to know what's inside. Let’s look at the anatomy of a cigar before we begin. Our website mentions that a cigar is made of tobacco leaves: filler, binder, and wrapper. Once all the leaves are rolled together, they are held together with a cap at the cigar's head. The head of the cigar is the end that goes in your mouth. The cap is often made from the same tobacco leaves as the wrapper. Just below the cap is the shoulder, where the cigar begins to taper; you will see a faint seam that distinguishes the end of the cap. You want to aim to cut above the shoulder. If you cut below the shoulder, the cut could cause the entire cigar to unravel.
The next step is finding a quality cutter with a sharp blade. If you cut your cigar in the right place but with a dull cutter, you risk tearing it into the delicate wrapper and unraveling the cigar. It’s like the difference between cutting a tomato with a sharp or dull knife. There are several high-quality cutters on the market. Preference is personal, but like having a knife set as opposed to one knife, multiple cutters are often desired for different types of cigars.
Make sure you line the blade up correctly with any cigar cutter and then make a clean cut. The result should be a flat, even opening. Next, use your finger to gently brush off any residual tobacco that lingers on the cut. Tip: You may read or hear that you can tap your cigar on a table or ashtray to remove residual tobacco, but we recommend not choosing that option to avoid the possibility of tearing the wrapper.
Now that your cigar is cut correctly, some enthusiasts like to take what’s called a “cold taste” to test the cigar's draw before lighting it. If it’s not what you desire, you can assess if a deeper cut is possible. Note: Perfecto cigars have two closed ends. Start by cutting a bit off the head, then decide if you want to cut a bit off the foot or leave it, and just light it as is.
Lighting: There are different lighters to choose from, but one “right” way to light a cigar. It won’t be easy because moist tobacco leaves aren’t necessarily attracted to a flame but remember this part of the ritual has a satisfying quality.
Ignite your lighter. Next, put the mouth of the cigar above the flame but don’t touch the fire. Gently rotate the cigar in your fingers while holding it at the foot, and let the smoke from the fire heat the cigar as evenly as possible. You are not trying to catch it on fire. Think of roasting a marshmallow over an open flame. You can roast it or torch it. For most people, one way tastes better than the other.
When you think your cigar is evenly lit, blow on the lit end. This process allows you to see if the cigar is lit evenly. Light it again, in the same manner, never introducing the cigar to a direct flame and then take a slow draw. If you must light it some more, go ahead. It takes patience and practice, but you’ll catch on.
Here’s a quick look at a few flame-lighter options: Make sure your lighter runs on butane, not lighter fluid (smell). A single flame lighter is simple and easy to use, a double flame lighter can be dialed up and down to use as a single or double flame, and a torch lighter works in wind and rain. If you want to use a wooden match, make sure it is long enough and that you allow the sulfur to burn off the tip before applying your cigar.
Smoking: Now that your cigar is lit, your job is to keep the cigar going and at a controlled temperature. If you get it too hot, the taste may become bitter, most likely not caused by a bad cigar. There is a technique to smoking a cigar that involves balance and rhythm.
Balance comes from the practice of keeping the cherry-lit but cool. An excellent way to accomplish that goal is to take in a slow, smooth draw and then allow the smoke to fall out of your mouth rather than blow it out. Take your time before taking the subsequent draw and repeat the process. During each draw and fall, take your time until you develop a rhythm that helps you relax.
It is crucial that you draw into your mouth, not into your lungs. You are not inhaling but filling your mouth with flavor.
As you draw and release the smoke, the cherry of your cigar will develop ash. After a thumbnail size of ash accumulates, it is time to roll it off on the edge of an ashtray gently. Do not tap the ash off as it may cause damage and it is poor etiquette to cause flying ash.
Think of a cigar in three parts. The first third gives you an explosion of flavor before settling down. The middle of the cigar is often the most enjoyable, where all the flavor evens out. The last part of the cigar typically changes in taste and becomes more robust. This is where you can work on a new skill. Stop smoking before you get to the bitter end. Part of the enjoyment is finishing with a “good taste in your mouth.”
If your cigar goes out at any time, roll off the ash, and then use the end of a match or toothpick to remove any remaining ash from the cherry. The idea is to expose the tobacco. Now, you are ready to relight your cigar correctly.
Proper etiquette for finishing your cigar is to set it in an ashtray and let it burn out on its own. Snuffing it out causes a sour smell that is unpleasant to everyone.
