Welcome to Jim's Cigar Kingdom: Essential Tips for the Beginner Smoker
Hi, I'm Jim, and after 40 years in the cigar world, I'm here to share some of the most critical and common-sense tips for new and aspiring enthusiasts. From the essential gear you need to the basic rules of smoking, here is your starter guide to the kingdom.
1. The Cigar Starter Kit Essentials
If you're looking to start enjoying cigars, you really only need two things to get going:
A Good Cutter
All hand-rolled cigars come with a rounded end—the cap—that needs to be clipped off. For a clean cut that prevents the wrapper from unraveling, you need a good cutter.
A Good Lighter
I recommend a torch lighter. The torch flame allows you to toast the end of the cigar before lighting, which helps it light and burn more evenly.
Pro Tip: You can often find both of these in one tool! Look for a torch lighter with a little diagonal cutter built in. These combo gadgets are often refillable and will last a long time, making them a very practical starter tool.
2. Do You Inhale a Cigar?
This is a key question, especially for those who have experience with cigarettes: No, you should not inhale a cigar.
I strongly suggest you don't inhale a cigar. The experience and flavor of a cigar are meant to be enjoyed on the palate and the tongue, not in the lungs.
Cigar tobacco contains significantly more resins and oils than cigarette tobacco. Inhaling these is not recommended and defeats the purpose of savoring the cigar's taste.
3. When is a Cigar "Done"?
There is no hard and fast rule for when a cigar is finished; it's a matter of personal taste.
The farther down the cigar you smoke, the warmer it gets, and more oils and resins accumulate in the tobacco that hasn't burned yet. This accumulation can make the cigar taste really spicy or strong in the final third.
Once you decide you're done, simply set the cigar down in an ashtray and let it smolder out all by itself. Avoid stubbing it out, as this can release a foul odor.
4. The Practical Use of Cigar Tubes
You may have noticed some cigars come packaged in cigar tubes. These are primarily used by manufacturers to preserve the freshness of the cigar. Because the inner cellophane wrapper is not completely airtight, the tube provides an extra layer of protection.
I love these things and hang on to them! A great practical use for an empty cigar tube is to snuff out cigars that you only intend to smoke partially. They work perfectly for this, though you can also buy heavier, more elaborate stainless steel snuffers.
I'm Jim. Welcome to the kingdom!
