The Etiquette

The Etiquette

The name Vicente Blends, says it all!
~ Vincent “Vicente” McGlone

etiquette

/ˈedəkət/

noun

“definition”

“definition explanation”

a young man smoking cigar

The Hold

Like every interaction with the cigar, holding it should be simple and organic. Don’t waste your energy trying to look good, just play with your fingers to find the most natural hold. With practice, you will discover the best fit for your hand.  

Just keep the cigar level, as it may tend to make an ashy mess when pointed down. Remember not to hold it like a cigarette because it prevents a good grip. Holding the cigar between the index finger and thumb provides a more secure grasp.  

With practice, you will be able to judge a cigar by its sensation. By feeling it from foot to cap, you can appreciate the consistency or identify irregular points that affect combustion, etc.  

The Cut

The goal is to create a smooth opening without compromising the integrity of the cigar. You want to cut enough off the tip to ensure a smooth draw, but not so much that you cut into the main wrapper and risk causing it to unravel. It’s also crucial to cut the cigar quickly so that the break is clean and not frayed; there will always be some little flecks of wrapper that get transferred to the mouth, but much fewer with a clean cut. 

Some prefer to first moisten the cigar head by placing it briefly between their lips. Then, it’s time to make the cut – closer to the tip for a tighter draw or deeper for more draw. Without getting into to the numerous types of cutters and styles of cut, locate the point along the shoulder of the cigar where the cut should be made in order to leave a strip of flag leaf. 

cigar cutter
businessman smoking a cuban cigar

The Cold Draw

This is the first sensorial contact with the inside of the cigar. Depending on the blend of cigar, you will get an initial hint of its unique taste. For many aficionados, the cold draw is an integral part of the ritual. 

When the cigar is ready to light, simply bring it to your lips, suck lightly and let the pure taste of the unlit cigar fill your palate. Hold the air in and enjoy the flavor for a couple seconds. Then, gently exhale as you do when smoking.  

The Light

Lighting a cigar correctly allows it to burn evenly. To do this, it’s critical to use matches or an odorless lighter. Regular gas lighters, on the other hand, can contaminate the taste. The goal is to get the cigar to light using the heat and not the actual flame. 

Hold the cigar level and the lighter or match at an angle to the cigar. Move the tip around the flame, ensuring to evenly toast the entire rim of the foot. To get a good burn, you need to light the whole circumference of the wrapper at the foot. 

Once the foot of the cigar is charred, it’s time to take the first puff. Be sure to take long, slow draws. Taking short, quick puffs heats up the tobacco and damages the flavor. Then, turn the cigar around and blow on the tip. This will reveal any areas where the light needs to be touched up.   

The moment when you light a puro, is when your senses finally break the path to joy. So, do it slowly and with passion. 

man with hat lighting cigar
woman smoking cigar 2 scaled

The Draw

The perfect draw is an entirely personal factor, but it’s also what defines the level of enjoyment of a cigar. So, relax, take your time, and enjoy the aromas and flavors of the cigar. 

The first time, it’s best to start with a soft cigar and take small amounts of smoke at the beginning. Draw in air with your mouth, rather than your diaphragm, as if you were sucking a straw. The point is to take some quick draws to get a strong burn and take a longer final draw to appreciate the unique flavor of the first burn. I like to call it, “tasting the cherry”.  

There are a couple of common methods for drawing like “1,2,3,” but you don’t have to be so literal. Just be sure to begin by drawing in crescendo, from light to stronger puffs. Make a few short and strong draws to stimulate combustion until you feel ready for a longer and smoother one to enjoy.  

The key is to let your instincts take over to find your best draw…naturally. When you find your perfect rhythm and dose, let the smoke circulate inside your mouth and loose it gently. You will notice that, as the cigar is consumed, the flavor tends to vary and strengthen. 

The Retrohale

To fully taste and appreciate all the flavors in the tobacco, it’s important to master the retrohale. Blowing some of the smoke drawn out through the nose unlocks all of the complex aromas that are wrapped up in a fine cigar. 

If you’re just starting off, it’s better to practice with a mild cigar blend. First, inhale and draw the smoke into the mouth slowly, as you normally do. Then, begin to exhale through your mouth.

When you are about halfway through the exhale, close your lips and release the rest of the smoke up and out of your nostrils.  

Eventually, you will find your own rhythm with retrohaling and it will feel like second nature. 

beautiful woman smoking cigar with red lips
cigar in ashtray

The Ash

Cigar smoking is an experience that must be enjoyed with patience. There’s no rush to ash a cigar because the ash helps to isolate the burn. In fact, you should aim to maintain a thin band of ash to ensure an even burn. 

Avoid tapping the cigar as it can cause the wrapper to crack. There is no need to ash often, so let the ash grow. If it’s necessary to remove excess amounts of ash, simply roll the edge of the cigar gently against the ashtray to break it off evenly.  

When you are done smoking, don’t stamp it out, let cigar rest in the ashtray to burn out with dignity. With practice, you will know the best time to end a session of the cigar ritual. 

Big hug my friend, 
V.

Cigar smoking and drinking woman meditating

A cigar ought not to be smoked solely with the mouth, but with the hand, the eyes, and with the spirit.

~ Zino Davidoff