The Top 10 Mistakes New Cigar Smokers Should Avoid

The cigar space can be tough for newcomers. There are many “unwritten rules” seasoned cigar smokers follow that are rarely obvious to new enthusiasts. The good news is that your friends at Cigar World are here to help. These are the top ten mistakes new cigar smokers should avoid:

Mistakes vs Preferences

One note before we begin: we’re not here to be the cigar police. Ultimately, how you enjoy a cigar is up to you! So rather than focusing on “best practices” or “preferences” in this article, we’ll instead highlight obvious mistakes that we know lead to suboptimal cigar experiences.

Mistake #1: Cutting Too Much

When cutting a cigar, make sure to only cut off a small (almost tiny) amount at the head (top) of the cigar with a sharp cutter blade. All you want to do is create an opening through which air can flow; do not cut your cigar more than a few centimeters below the cap. Otherwise, the cigar can unravel and become unsmokable. We can’t count the number of times we’ve seen a new cigar smoker chop off a quarter of their cigar before lighting up.

Mistake #2: Improper Lighting

The secret to a great burn? Lighting the cigar correctly. We recommend using a torch lighter (or matches) to light a cigar. Standard soft flame (Bic) lighters can work in a pinch, but it’s vital to light the entire cigar. Always “toast” your cigar before you begin puffing, rotate the cigar to ensure the whole foot is lit, and puff gently to get it going. If you don’t light it evenly, the cigar will burn crooked, and the flavor will be negatively affected. 

And please — please — don’t torch the foot of the cigar so that it’s burnt. You don’t need to over-light a cigar to enjoy it.

Mistake #3: Inhaling

Cigars are NOT big cigarettes. While cigarette smoke is often inhaled, cigar smoke should really only be puffed in the mouth and throat before being expelled. Some cigar smokers like to break this “rule,” but you should know before you start drawing on a cigar like you would a cigarette that it could cause you to cough. 

Mistake #4: Not Giving Yourself Enough Time

Again, cigars are not just big cigarettes. Even a relatively small cigar will take around 30-45 minutes to smoke completely. And common sizes like Toros and Churchills may take well over an hour to smoke (sometimes two). Give yourself plenty of time to smoke a cigar, or else pick a small size if you know you’ll be strapped for time.

Mistake #5: Smoking Too Fast (or Too Slow)

Not everyone smokes at the same rate. Some seasoned aficionados prefer to smoke quickly, while others may puff at a leisurely pace. The key is to find a balance that works for you. 

Smoke too quickly, and you’re likely to make yourself feel ill — especially if you’re new to cigar-smoking. (Pro tip: have a sugary drink on hand and hydrate if you’re concerned about getting woozy from a cigar.)

Smoke too slowly, and the cigar may go out again and again, requiring constant re-lighting. Taking a puff every 30-45 seconds tends to work for us, but again, try it out for yourself before you settle on an established pace.

Mistake #6: Stamping Your Cigar Out

Do not stamp out a cigar butt like you would a cigarette. Rather, when you’re finished with a cigar, simply set it down in a safe place and let it go out. (Or, pour water on it to douse it if you’re in a hurry.)

Mistake #7: Overpaying

Look, we get it. Everyone wants to try the biggest and best cigars when they first break into the hobby. However, we DO NOT recommend new smokers spend hundreds of dollars on cigars if they’ve never smoked before. There are a few reasons why:

• Unless you have a functioning humidor to store cigars, they will become stale, brittle, and unsmokable in a few days. Thus, buying a box of $200 cigars without a humidor is likely a waste of money.  

• Big, expensive cigars often have full-bodied flavor profiles that can overwhelm new smokers. 

• Since they lack prior knowledge and experience, new smokers may not appreciate what expensive cigars offer. 

While we love cigars, we would never advise someone to spend lots of money on a hobby they don’t even know they’ll like. Instead, pick up a few (2-3) reasonably-priced cigars from your local cigar shop and try them out. If you like them, buy more and move on from there!

Mistake #8: Storing Outside a Humidor

Cigars must be stored in a humidor under specific conditions to maintain their integrity. Before you purchase a box of 20 (or more) cigars, consider where you plan on keeping them. (Note: out on the counter is not a good answer.) Otherwise, most will go bad before you have a chance to light them up. 

Mistake #9: Purchasing Outside of a Reputable Source

Don’t ever buy cigars from some guy you met on vacation. 99 times out of 100, they’re trying to scam you. Go to an established cigar shop or a reputable online source for your smokes. 

Mistake #10: Lying

Everyone starts as a novice, and that’s okay! Don’t feel pressured to lie about your cigar experience if you have a chance to smoke a cigar at a party. Most cigar smokers (and employees at cigar establishments) will be only too happy to show you the ropes, but they can’t help you unless you admit you don’t have much experience with cigars. Remember, honesty is the best policy! 

Did we miss any mistakes you wish you knew about when you first started smoking cigars? Sign up for Cigar World and tell us about them with a comment!