As with any hobby or ritual, smoking cigars has its own set of potential pitfalls that beginners tend to stumble into. Whether you’re new to cigars or just looking to refine your experience, avoiding these common mistakes can help ensure that you get the most out of each smoke.
1. Over-Cutting the Cigar
Cutting too much off the cap is a common rookie mistake. When too much of the cap is removed, the cigar’s wrapper may unravel, making it difficult to smoke.
Fix: When cutting, think of it like giving the cigar a small “haircut.” Only cut a small amount of the cap—just enough to create an easy draw. On a straight-sided cigar, make sure some of the rounded “shoulder” remains on the cigar after cut. For more details, check out last week’s article, "How to Cut, Light, and Smoke Your First Cigar".
2. Inhaling Cigar Smoke
Cigars are not meant to be inhaled like cigarettes. Inhaling cigar smoke can be harsh and may lead to coughing or discomfort, especially for beginners.
Fix: Instead of inhaling, draw the smoke into your mouth, savor the flavor, and then slowly exhale. You will still absorb nicotine through the lining of your mouth, so there’s no need to inhale to get the full experience. When you first do this, you will puff out your cheeks to hold the smoke in your mouth and look like a squirrel. Don’t worry, you’ll naturally correct this overtime. Every cigar smoker started out a little squirrelly!
3. Smoking Too Quickly
One of the most frequent mistakes beginners make is puffing too quickly. This causes the cigar to overheat, leading to bitter flavors and an unpleasant smoking experience. In extreme cases, an overheated cigar can even expel a sap-like substance from the end, which is one of the worst things you will ever taste!
Fix: Aim to take one or two puffs per minute to allow the cigar to burn slowly and evenly. If it starts to overheat, let it rest for a couple of minutes before puffing again, and re-light it if needed.
4. Not Letting the Ash Build
Many beginners constantly flick off the ash like they would with a cigarette. This can disrupt the burn and cause the cigar to burn unevenly. The ash acts as an insulator, keeping the ‘coal’ from burning fast or sporadically.
Fix: Let the ash grow to at least an inch before gently rolling it off into the ashtray. This helps the cigar burn evenly and cool. If your cigar is burning unevenly, you can touch up the slow-burning side with a lighter or rotate the slow-burning part to the bottom while you smoke.
5. Relighting the Wrong Way
If your cigar goes out, there’s two assumptions that are often made. First, that the cigar’s finished, you can’t relight. Conversely, that you can just throw flame back at it and start puffing away. You can restart your cigar, but relighting incorrectly can lead to a bitter taste.
Fix: First, knock off any ash that’s built up on the foot of the cigar. Then, gently toast the foot to burn off any remaining ash. Avoid torching the entire end of the cigar or relighting without removing old ash, as this will give off bitter and unpleasant flavors. Before relighting, blow through the cigar to clear it out, this is called clearing the chamber. This is more important if the cigar has been sitting for a long time. Finally, light up just like you did when you started the cigar.
6. Ignoring Cigar Etiquette
In cigar lounges and social settings, there are unspoken rules of etiquette that can enhance everyone’s enjoyment. Observing those around you—especially the regulars and the staff—can teach you a lot. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re uncertain about what to do, just ask. We’ll go over cigar etiquette in more detail next week.
Fix: Follow the lead of the regulars, ask questions when you’re unsure, and always be respectful of others’ space. Cigar lounges are social spaces, so it’s important to be considerate of those around you.
7. Assuming There Are ‘Man’ or ‘Lady’ Cigars
There’s a stereotype that cigars are a “manly” ritual, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The cigar community is diverse and includes both men and women who enjoy a wide range of flavors and strengths. Big burly bikers can be found smoking cherry-flavored cigars, and I know several women who only smoke full-bodied maduros. Actually, this stereotype has largely vanished over recent years. I believe that is thanks in large part to online cigar communities.
Fix: Smoke what you like, not what you think you “should” smoke based on societal perceptions. Everyone has different tastes, and the best cigar is the one you enjoy. If you don’t know what cigar you enjoy, ask some experienced smokers or staff for help. You can also attend events like Herfs that will offer a variety of different cigars you can take for a spin.
8. Nicotine Sickness
Sometimes smoking a cigar that’s too strong or puffing too fast can result in nicotine sickness, leaving you feeling nauseous or light-headed—often referred to as "green around the gills." Often, you don’t even notice until you stand up after a while of sitting and smoking.
Fix: I’m no doctor but I’ve been told that this happens when nicotine lowers your blood sugar. To prevent this, avoid smoking on an empty stomach and pace your smoke especially on strong cigars. If you start to feel sick, eating a sugar cube or placing a hard candy under your tongue can help alleviate the symptoms.
9. Don’t Try This at Home
Lastly, we are dealing with fire and sharp objects. We do encourage you to purchase cigars and take home with you. But I like using the “don’t try this at home” mantra! Whether at home or in a lounge, avoid burning yourself or someone else with your lighter or cigar and avoid slicing your fingers on the cigar cutters.
Fix: Be mindful and aware. While you are smoking to have a good time and relax, always make sure you know where the lit end of your cigar is. Test the height of the flame before sticking it near your face. I have had a few burnt whiskers throughout my years of smoking, it’s not pleasant. And never stick your finger in the path of a cigar cutter’s blades!
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying cigars like a pro. Remember, cigars are about taking time out of the chaos for peace and enjoyment—there’s no rush, no pressure, just good company and refined relaxation.
Did I miss any mistakes? Leave a comment and help out all the new smokers.