Cigar smoking is an entire hobby, culture, and special occasion all in one. Unlike cigarette smokers, cigar aficionados seem to have a less-toxic and highly romantic love affair with their habit. Cigars have been an important part of American culture and other cultures around the world since the Mayans, and Cuba is the most renowned location for premium, top of the line cigars. This intricate pastime requires quite a bit of knowledge, including how to properly smoke a cigar. Knowing how to properly smoke a cigar is critically important so you don't look silly in front of other cigar enthusiasts and so that you don't waste your cigar.
How to Properly Smoke a CigarThe first step in smoking a cigar is to cut the cap off. This is best done with a single-blade guillotine. Simply hold the cigar in one hand and the blade in the other hand. Don't be timid with this step. You want the cap to come off in one fell swoop or else it might tear. Tearing tends to ruin the cigar because it makes it hard to burn.
When lighting your cigar, it's important to use the right method. You should always use matches or a butane lighter to light your cigar. Never use gas lighters or candles, as these can alter the taste and cause you to get a few funny looks. When you light the cigar, you will be lighting the foot. This is the end opposite the cap.
Now it's time to smoke your cigar. The number one rule of cigar smoking is to not inhale the smoke. Unlike cigarettes, you are smoking the cigar to taste and enjoy the flavor, not swallow the smoke. This is why cigars come in such a wide variety of flavors. Just hold the smoke in your mouth and savor the flavor of the cigar you chose. After a few puffs, the band will start to come off. This part is perfectly normal, so don't panic. Keep rotating the cigar as you puff every 30 seconds or so.
That's all there is to smoking a cigar! It may take a while to get used to, but pretty soon you'll be a pro at it. Keep in mind that cigars pair excellently with coffee and alcoholic beverages like Kahlua. Red wines also make an exceptional partner for a good cigar while weaker ales might lose their taste when matched against a bold cigar. The best part about cigar smoking is that there are so many options. Even if you don't like the first one you try, you will probably find a flavor that suits your fancy within the first few tries.
