Key takeaways
- Start with a mild Connecticut-shade wrapper in a robusto size.
- Cut just above the cap line, toast the foot, then light with gentle draws.
- Cigar smoke isn’t inhaled; pace about one puff a minute.
Walking up to a humidor for the first time can feel like reading a wine list in another language. It doesn't need to. Here's the short version our crew gives every first-timer.
Start mild
Your first premium cigar should be mild to medium. Strong cigars aren't "better"; they're just stronger, and a full-bodied maduro can overwhelm a new palate. Look for a Connecticut-shade wrapper, which is light tan and known for creamy, smooth smoke.
Read the wrapper
The wrapper leaf is the outside of the cigar and the biggest single clue to flavor:
- Claro and Connecticut: light, creamy, nutty.
- Colorado and Habano: reddish-brown, with spice and cedar.
- Maduro and Oscuro: dark and oily, with cocoa, coffee and natural sweetness.
Darker doesn't always mean stronger, since strength comes mostly from the filler, but it's a good rule of thumb when you're starting out.
Pick a size
Cigars are measured by length in inches and ring gauge, the diameter in 64ths of an inch. A robusto (about 5 by 50) is the best first size: big enough to develop flavor, short enough to finish in about 45 minutes to an hour.
| Vitola | Size | Smoke time |
|---|---|---|
| Petit Corona | 4½ × 42 | 30–40 min |
| Robusto | 5 × 50 | 45–60 min |
| Toro | 6 × 50–52 | 60–75 min |
| Churchill | 7 × 47–48 | 75–90 min |
Cut, toast, light
- Cut just above the cap line with a guillotine or V-cutter. Cutting too deep makes the wrapper unravel.
- Toast the foot by holding it just above a butane flame and rotating until the edge glows evenly.
- Light with gentle draws while rotating. Cigar smoke isn't inhaled; the flavor is on your palate.
- Pace it at about one puff a minute. Smoking too fast makes it hot and bitter.
When you're done, set it down and let it go out on its own. Don't stub it out like a cigarette.
Store it right
Cigars want 65–72°F and 65–72% humidity. A small travel humidor with a two-way humidity pack keeps a few sticks fresh for weeks. Leave a cigar out in dry air for a couple of days and it will crack and burn hot.
Ready to try one? Stop by the counter and tell the crew what you like to drink or eat. It's the fastest way to find your first cigar.
Pairing cigars with drinks
| Cigar strength | Try it with |
|---|---|
| Mild | Coffee, light rum, white wine, sparkling water |
| Medium | Aged rum, bourbon, porter, espresso |
| Full | Bourbon, Scotch, dark rum, stout |
A non-alcoholic option like coffee or sparkling water works with any cigar.
A little etiquette
- Let the ash fall on its own; tapping it constantly heats the cigar.
- Removing the band is optional; wait until the cigar warms up so the glue loosens.
- Don’t stub a cigar out. Set it in the ashtray and let it go out.
Frequently asked questions
What’s a good first cigar?
A mild Connecticut-shade robusto, like a Macanudo or Romeo y Julieta.
Do you inhale cigar smoke?
No. Cigar smoke is held in the mouth for flavor and released.
How long does a robusto take to smoke?
About 45 minutes to an hour.
Come see it in person. X Rated Smoke Shop is at 3750 W McFadden Ave Unit F, Santa Ana, CA 92704. Call (657) 335-5888 or get directions. 21+ with valid ID.