Cigar Tips for Beginners: What to Know Before You Light Up

There’s something timeless about lighting up a cigar. That first puff carries a quiet confidence. But if you’re just starting out, it helps to take it slow. One of the best cigar tips for beginners is to ease in with a milder option before diving into a thick, full-bodied smoke.

Truth is, cigars can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers, the size, the strength, the etiquette. That’s why if you’re just getting started, the smartest cigar tips for beginners might start with not starting with a cigar at all…

Don’t Just Dive Right In, Try a Cigarillo First

Cigarillos are the perfect entry point for new smokers. Think of them as the “short film” of the cigar world, compact, flavorful, and way less intimidating than a full-sized cigar. You don’t need an hour of your day, a humidor, or even deep cigar knowledge. You just light, enjoy, and ease into the experience.

Here’s why they’re beginner-friendly:

Shorter smoke time, 5 to 15 minutes instead of 45+
No cutting required, most are ready to go
Milder feel, easier to enjoy without overwhelming your senses
Portable and practical, fits in a pocket, no fancy setup needed

Best Cigarillos to Start With:

Sweets – Flavored and cognac-dipped, offering a mellow and slightly sweet flavor that’s ideal for new smokers.
Blues – Natural, mellow, and aromatic. An easy entry into the world of unflavored tobacco without being too strong.

Trying a cigarillo first gives you a taste of what cigar smoking is all about, minus the pressure. If you like it, you can explore more. If not, you didn’t waste an hour pretending.

Understand What You’re Smoking: A Key Cigar Tip for Beginners

Before you light anything, know what you’re holding.

Cigars come in a wide range of sizes, styles, and blends. A large, dark-wrapped cigar with a long burn time will feel completely different from a small, light-wrapped one.

Here are a few quick basics:

Cigarillos: Small, short cigars, often pre-cut and filtered. Ideal for casual, short sessions.
Small/Medium Cigars: Often labeled as Coronas or Robustos, these are a step up from cigarillos in size and flavor intensity.
Full-Sized Cigars: Think larger ring gauges, long burn times, and often stronger flavor.

You’ll also see cigars described by wrapper type:

Claro (light): Generally milder and easier
Maduro (dark): Richer, sweeter, more intense
Natural: In-between, often with earthy or spicy notes

When you understand the basics, you’ll have a much better time choosing something that actually fits your taste and mood, rather than guessing based on the label.

Learn How to Cut a Cigar (And Why It Matters for Beginners)

Cutting a cigar might seem like a small step, but it can make or break the entire experience.

If you’re smoking a full-sized cigar, you’ll need to remove the cap, that little piece of wrapper covering the closed end (called the head). Cut too much, and your cigar unravels. Cut too little, and you’ll get a tight, frustrating draw.

Cutting 101:

Use a real cigar cutter, not scissors or a pocket knife. A double-bladed guillotine cutter is a great place to start.
Cut just above the shoulder, that’s the rounded edge where the cap starts to curve.
Don’t squeeze or crush, make it a sharp cut.

There are other cutting styles like punch cuts (a circular hole in the cap) or V-cuts (a wedge-shaped notch), but for beginners, stick with a straight cut until you get comfortable.

Now, here’s the good news: if you’re starting with a cigarillo, you probably don’t need to worry about any of this. Al Capone cigarillos come pre-cut, so you can skip this step altogether and get right to the good part.

But if you do end up smoking a cigar, mastering the cut is step one in doing it right.

Lighting Isn’t Just About Fire

Lighting a cigar isn’t like lighting a candle or cigarette, it’s part of the ritual. A rushed or uneven light can cause one side to burn faster than the other (called “canoeing”), ruin the flavor, or just make the whole thing feel off.

Here’s how to light a cigar properly:

Use the right flame: Go with a butane torch or long wooden matches.
Toast the foot: Hold the flame just below the foot (the open end) and rotate the cigar slowly. You’re warming it, not setting it on fire yet.
Light while puffing: Once it’s evenly toasted, place the cigar in your mouth and gently puff while holding the flame near the foot. Keep rotating until the cherry glows evenly.

Take your time. This part should feel slow and deliberate, like warming up a good conversation.

And again, if you’re starting with cigarillos, most are quick to light and more forgiving. Still, learning to light with care sets you up with good habits for the future.

Savor the Flavor

Here’s one of the biggest differences between cigars and cigarettes: cigars are meant to be enjoyed in your mouth, not drawn into your chest. Take your time, taste the flavor, and let the experience be slow and smooth.

Cigar smoking is about taste and aroma, not a nicotine rush.

Here’s what to do instead:

Draw the smoke into your mouth, hold it for a few seconds, and then let it drift out. Don’t inhale.
Pay attention to the flavor, the earthiness, the sweetness, the spice. Let your palate explore it.
Optional but advanced: Retrohaling, this is when you gently exhale smoke through your nose to pick up more nuanced flavors. It takes practice and should never feel forced.

If you’re smoking a cigarillo like a Blues or Sweet, the same rules apply. The shorter format might tempt you to treat it like a cigarette, but don’t, it’s still a cigar, and it’s meant to be savored, not sucked down.

Slow Down, It’s Not a Race

Cigars aren’t meant to be rushed. If you puff too fast, you’ll overheat the tobacco, which can lead to harsh, bitter flavors and an uneven burn. Worse, you might even feel dizzy or sick if you’re not used to the nicotine content.

The ideal pace:

Take one puff every 30 to 60 seconds
Let the cigar rest between puffs, it’s not going anywhere
Don’t relight constantly, if it goes out, just toast and puff again

With cigarillos, this slower rhythm still applies. Even though the smoke time is shorter, pacing helps you actually enjoy the complexity packed into a smaller form.

Remember: you’re not just burning tobacco. You’re creating a little ritual. A good smoke isn’t about quantity, it’s about quality of time, flavor, and presence.

Know When to Stop

A common beginner mistake is thinking you have to smoke the whole thing. You don’t.

Most cigars, especially larger ones, are meant to be smoked about two-thirds of the way. That last third often burns hotter, tastes stronger, and can feel harsher. If you’re not enjoying it anymore, it’s okay to let it go.

Here’s the general rule:

Stop smoking when the flavor turns bitter or the draw feels tight
Trust your taste, if it stops being enjoyable, you’re done
Don’t stub out a cigar like a cigarette. Let it rest in the ashtray and extinguish on its own

With cigarillos, you’ll usually finish most of it, but even then, don’t feel obligated to chase the last puff. Smoking is about presence and pleasure, not pressure.

There’s no prize for reaching the end. The goal is to enjoy the journey.

Ash Etiquette & How to Hold a Cigar

You might not think there’s a “right” way to hold or ash a cigar, but trust us, how you handle your cigar says a lot.

Let’s start with the ash. Unlike cigarettes, which get tapped constantly, cigar ash is meant to stay on for a bit. A solid ash helps regulate the burn and insulates the cherry for a more even experience.

Ashing Tips:

Let the ash fall naturally, usually around 1 inch
Don’t flick or tap like a cigarette
When you do ash, gently roll it off in the tray instead of smashing it

Now, onto how you hold it. It’s a small detail, but it adds to the feel of the experience.

Holding Tips:

Hold between your thumb and index or index and middle finger
Keep it relaxed, horizontal, and natural, like you’re enjoying it, not clinging to it
Don’t clench it between your teeth (unless you’re in a Western movie)

It’s not about impressing anyone, it’s about feeling comfortable and present in the moment. A little etiquette goes a long way, especially if you’re smoking in social settings or lounges.

Store Them Right (Even if You Don’t Own a Humidor)

Cigars dry out if not stored properly. And a dry cigar? It burns fast, cracks easily, and tastes flat.

For beginners without a humidor, here are a few easy fixes:

Use a humi-pouch, These are small humidity-controlled bags that keep cigars fresh for weeks or months
Glass jar + humidity pack, A sealed jar can do the trick for casual storage
Store in original packaging if it’s resealable, and keep it in a cool, dark place

If you get more into cigars down the line, a small desktop humidor is a worthy investment. But to start, all you really need is something airtight and a basic humidity solution.

Pro Tip:

Cigarillos like Al Capone don’t need a humidor. One of the great convenient things is that they’re always ready when you need them without fussing too much on the storage. Of course, it’s better to keep them stored closer to room temperature in a place that isn’t too humid – but you can keep them fresh much more easily than most cigars.

Clean Up Like You’ve Done This Before

Look, no one wants to be that smoker.

You know the one: leaves cigar butts on the table, ashes on the floor, stinks up the room without a second thought. Cigar smoking might be a personal ritual, but it still affects the people around you. Respect goes a long way, whether you’re lighting up alone, with friends, or at a cigar lounge.

How to clean up like a grown-up:

Use an ashtray, always. If you’re outdoors, bring a pocket ashtray or something designated.
Freshen up after, carry mints, use a travel-size spray, or wash your hands with scented wipes.
Dispose of leftovers responsibly, wrap it in foil or tissue before tossing if you’re indoors.

Even if you’re enjoying a cigarillo on your porch or a full-sized cigar at a lounge, how you exit the moment matters. Good cigars leave behind aroma, not a mess.

Experiment and Find Your Style

Here’s the truth: there is no “right way” to be a cigar smoker. The only mistake is trying to follow someone else’s style so closely that you forget to enjoy your own.

Some people love dark-wrapped, heavy cigars that take over an hour to burn. Others stick with cigarillos their whole lives, not because they’re easier, but because they fit their pace, personality, and palate.

Cigar smoking is a personal journey. It evolves with your preferences, your environment, and your mindset. One day you might be pairing a Blues cigarillo with your morning coffee, and the next you’re sitting on a beach with your Sweets cigarillo. Both moments are yours.

Here’s how to find your groove:

Try different blends, flavored, natural, light, bold
Vary the sizes, from short cigarillos to full-length cigars
Pay attention to what you enjoy, when, where, with who, and why
Keep a small journal or note on your phone to track what you like and don’t

The deeper you get into it, the more you’ll realize cigar smoking isn’t about the cigar at all, it’s about slowing down long enough to enjoy something real. That’s the part most people miss.

Smoke Less. Enjoy More. Do It Your Way.

If there’s one piece of advice you should walk away with, it’s this: cigar smoking isn’t about showing off, doing it perfectly, or proving you belong. It’s about pausing the noise of the world, even for just ten minutes, and being fully present with something that feels good, smells rich, and reminds you to breathe a little deeper.

You don’t need a walk-in humidor or a private lounge to get started. You just need the willingness to slow down, learn, and enjoy the process. That’s why starting with something like a cigarillo makes so much sense. It’s not a lesser version, it’s a smarter one for beginners. It gives you a taste of the ritual without overwhelming you.

From learning how to cut, light, and pace yourself, to understanding what flavors you actually enjoy, the beauty of cigar culture lies in its depth. And yet, you don’t have to master it all at once. That’s the point. You build your rhythm over time.

Want to dive deeper into the culture, gear, and community around cigars? Check out Cigar Aficionado, a trusted source for rankings, tips, and stories that celebrate the lifestyle without the snobbery.

At the end of the day, cigars, and cigarillos, are about finding your moment. Your break. Your breath. In a world that rushes through everything, the true luxury isn’t the tobacco, it’s the time you take to enjoy it.

So take your time. Make it yours. And remember: it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real.