Introduction to Cigars: How to Enjoy a Premium Smoke
This is an introduction to cigars and my personal take on how to enjoy a premium cigar—ensuring you get the best out of any smoke, whether it's a vintage Cuban, a Dominican Republic gem, or one from any other incredible region known for premium tobacco.
Where to Begin
If you're a beginner still developing your taste for cigars—maybe enjoying one stick every couple of weeks or once a month—that moment should be meaningful. It should be something you can enjoy without overthinking. One way to approach cigars is similar to any acquired taste, like wine, coffee, or fine chocolate. These are not foods in the traditional sense but complex sensory experiences.
When people say a cigar has notes of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, or butter, it doesn't mean you're literally tasting those ingredients. Rather, the blend of tobacco leaves in the cigar evokes those familiar flavors, part of a universal sensory language understood across cultures.
The taste of tobacco is just as universal as chocolate or white pepper, leather, or floral notes—similar to what we associate with tea or English breakfast blends.
What Makes a Cigar Special
Cigars are made up of three main components: the wrapper, the binder, and the filler. Together, they create a unique chemical composition that’s released when the cigar is lit. Even a gentle squeeze can release aromas embedded in the leaves. That’s why cigars are sensitive to temperature, humidity, light exposure, and human touch.
A crucial aspect of enjoying a premium cigar is to avoid rushing. Lighting a cigar properly is an art—some prefer wooden matches, others use butane or torch lighters. The goal is an even burn. When a cigar burns evenly, the tobacco leaves release the flavors intended by the blender.
Because cigars are leaves being burned, the speed of the burn matters. Smoking outdoors on a windy day, chatting with friends, or relaxing in a tropical setting—all these factors influence the experience. That’s why cigar lounges offer the perfect, controlled environment with no wind and consistent conditions, letting you focus on the moment.
Savoring the Experience
Rushing a cigar can ruin the flavor. A fast burn doesn’t allow the leaves to develop their notes fully. It’s important to take your time and enjoy the journey. Pairing cigars with drinks or food can enhance the experience—for example, pairing with specific types of chocolate or coffee can elevate flavor nuances.
While whiskey is the most common pairing in the collective imagination, it’s not the only one. Whether it’s bourbon, Irish whiskey, single malt Scotch, brandy, or cognac, the key is to avoid overpowering the cigar. A well-balanced pairing enhances the cigar rather than competing with it.
Developing Taste
Many beginners struggle to move beyond what I call the "surface taste"—the general tobacco flavor shared by all cigars. But beneath that surface lies a layered complexity: notes of spice, sweetness, earthiness, or floral tones. Developing the ability to perceive those nuances takes practice.
Retrohaling—exhaling smoke through the nose—can help, as the nasal cavity holds a wealth of taste receptors. But it's not about keeping smoke in your mouth too long or forcing techniques. The more natural and relaxed the process, the more enjoyable it becomes.
Choosing the Right Moment
Cigars are meant to be enjoyed at the right time. A morning cigar might pair beautifully with coffee—a short-format cigar lasting 30 to 45 minutes. This is a great way to develop your palate. Cigars should be part of a break, a celebration, or a way to anchor a memory.
When smoking with friends, the gaps between puffs should be filled with meaningful conversation. Taste, like music or fashion, is personal. Everyone has a different preference, and over time, you'll naturally gravitate toward cigars that make you feel comfortable and at ease.
Some people prefer Cuban cigars; others lean toward Dominican blends. This is often because we associate certain regions with consistent flavors that evoke memories and feelings we wish to revisit.
Final Thoughts
A very important point: choose the right cigar for the moment. If you're smoking alone, make sure you can enjoy it without interruption. Once lit, a cigar should be smoked in one session—whether that’s 45 minutes, an hour, or two. It's a journey, and the journey deserves your full presence.
If you're playing golf or cards with friends, opt for a cigar that complements the activity—something more relaxed. If you're exploring something rare like a vintage or pre-embargo cigar, make sure you have the time and focus to truly appreciate it.
This philosophy applies to fine spirits, wines, and food. Taste and smell are abstract senses—much like music, they are intangible, yet powerful. They trigger memories and feelings. We all have certain smells we associate with people, places, or moments. Cigars do the same.
They create memories. They connect to a lifestyle.
There are daily smokers, those who enjoy two to three cigars a day, and there are occasional smokers. It depends on your personality. Personally, cigars are a celebration, almost a ritual. Smoking every day would make it feel less special. I enjoy one per week—still intense but balanced.
On vacation, I might indulge more frequently: a light cigar in the morning, a stronger one in the evening, always leaving time between experiences.
Even after a cigar is done, the taste lingers. You might wake up the next day and still feel it at the back of your mouth—a reminder of the moment you lit it and savored that experience with your senses fully engaged.
