How to Ready a Cigar to Smoke

A good cigar is something to be savored, its subtle flavors enjoyed slowly. To get the best possible experience out of a cigar, special care needs to be taken while it's being prepared to be smoked. Improperly cutting a cigar, or lighting it the wrong way, will adversely affect the cigar's taste.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden matches
• Cigar cutter

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Instructions

• 1

  Cut the cap off the cigar. The cap is the closed end of the cigar used to help keep the wrapper from unraveling. Use a cutter specifically designed for cigars for the best results. A double-bladed guillotine cigar cutter is the easiest to use for a new cigar smoker. Place the end cap in the cutter and smoothly and quickly cut 1/2 inch or so from the cap. If you cut too much, the cigar will begin to unravel, too little and it will be hard to draw air through the cap.

• 2

  Light a wooden or cedar match, or use a butane lighter. Hold the end of the cigar at a 90 degree angle over the flame. Don't allow the flame to actually touch the cigar. Slowly rotate the tip over the flame until there's a glowing ring all the way around the cigar. Remove the cigar from above the flame and blow gently around the tip to even out the burn.

• 3

  Place the cigar in your mouth and take a puff. Some cigar smokers advise that the first puff should be outward in order to expel residue from the lighting source. This is entirely up to personal preference.

• 4

  Savor the cigar. A cigar isn't meant to be smoked quickly. Pull the air into your mouth in a long slow drag. Allow the smoke to roll over the tongue to experience the taste. Blow out the smoke when you're ready. Try not to take a puff on the cigar more than once every few minutes. Smoking a cigar too fast can negatively affect the taste.