Cigar Etiquette – Dos and Don’ts for enjoying your smoke

I am going to highlight the most popular etiquette opinions and hopefully all the Do’s and Don’ts will become less intimidating, and you can move on to the enjoyment of cigars instead of worrying about if you’re doing something right or wrong.

1. Do Bring a Cutter and Lighter

Always have your own cutter and lighter instead of asking others to borrow theirs. One important do’s of smoking a cigar is to use a cigar cutter. Not only does it make for a cleaner cut, but it also prevents the wrapper from unravelling or tearing. Plus, a cutter will help you enjoy your cigar more fully as it allows for an even draw.

• Lighting the cigar!

Make sure to light your cigar properly. This involves using a butane lighter since lighters with an exposed flame can damage the wrapper or alter the flavour of the cigar. It’s also important to light the cigar evenly. This requires rotating it until the entire foot of the cigar has an even glow. Doing so will help ensure that you get the full flavour and aroma from your cigar. You can light a cigar with a soft flame lighter, a torch lighter or a match as long as you aren’t scorching the cigar and lighting too quickly there is nothing wrong with ANY preferred method of lighting cigars. Another important aspect of cigar smoking is keeping your cigar lit. This can be done by gently puffing on the cigar. Then check every few minutes to see if it is still lit as a good burn requires consistent lighting. If the cigar has gone out, hold it at an angle over the flame and rotate it until evenly lit again. This should prevent the cigar from becoming too hot or going out again quickly.

• Band on or off?

Honestly band on or off is one of the oldest arguments but for the sake of not arguing I will confirm that however you like to enjoy your cigars is totally up to you. I personally keep the band on until I am forced to take it off once the cigar is smoked to that point. The reason why many of the old school cigar publications say it’s bad etiquette to leave the band on, is because it can be seen as bragging if it’s a more expensive cigar. In this new age of social media, we can all see what people are smoking and even get turned on to new brands by smoking with the band on. As long as you aren’t being a snob about it, I always say smoke it how you like as long as you enjoy!

• Hold Your Cigar Correctly

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between a rookie and a veteran is to watch how they hold their cigar.

Most newbies don’t know that you should hold your cigar between your index finger and your thumb. The natural inclination is to hold the cigar between your index finger and your middle finger like a cigarette.

There’s no real reason for this piece of etiquette. But make sure you hold your cigar correctly if you want to look like a pro.

• Do Watch the Ash

Tap off ash frequently so it doesn’t fall on those around you. Also avoid waving around a cigar with a long ash—it could accidentally fall off.

• Don’t Stub Out Your Cigar

It’s always best to let your cigar die a natural death.

You’re never supposed to stub out your cigar when you finish. Stubbing out your cigar can result in a huge wave of bad smells. Instead, you should leave your cigar on an ashtray to slowly die out.

• Don’t Wet Your Cigar

Many cigar smokers enjoy a drink (or two) while they smoke their cigar. But you should never wet your cigar.

You should also take care not to bite or lick your cigar. Keep it as dry and compact as possible for an optimal smoking experience.

• How far you smoke a cigar until you are finished.

There’s people who believe that you should only smoke until you reach the band. I personally enjoy smoking until the cigar is too hot or it stops becoming enjoyable. Sometimes there is a little bit left of the cigar and sometimes I smoke it until I burn my lips or fingers. It all depends on the cigar.

Cigar etiquette is not merely a set of rules; it is a code of conduct that fosters camaraderie, respect, and appreciation for the art of cigar smoking. By mastering the dos and don’ts outlined in this guide, you can elevate your cigar-smoking experience while honouring the rich traditions of this time-honoured pastime.