| Have you ever wondered what the deal is with | | | | |
| cigars? Do you know how to light one? Is | | | | While smoking your cigar, resist the urge to |
| there a special way to smoke one? You're not | | | | knock the ashes off. Just set the foot over |
| supposed to inhale it, right? What should you | | | | an ashtray and let the ashes fall off |
| do with a cigar? These are only some of the | | | | naturally. This will save you from knocking |
| questions that a newcomer to cigars might | | | | the "cherry" at the end and having to |
| have, and if they are questions you have, | | | | re-light. You also shouldn't smoke a cigar |
| then read on, the answers are provided in the | | | | all the way down. If you smoke a cigar to a |
| short newcomer's guide below. | | | | nub, even a cigar of the highest quality, it |
| | | | will get bitter at the end and ruin the |
| How to Light a Cigar | | | | experience. And finally, hold a cigar between |
| | | | your thumb and your forefinger; otherwise you |
| The most fundamental part of enjoying a cigar | | | | will mark yourself as a newbie, or simply |
| is properly lighting it. To properly light a | | | | someone who lacks taste. |
| cigar, you need clippers that are specially | | | | |
| made to snip the edge off of the end you're | | | | Just Relax! |
| going to put in your mouth, the head. After | | | | |
| doing this, you can light the cigar, but not | | | | Don't be in a hurry when you're smoking a |
| with just any old lighter. Cigars should be | | | | cigar. Cigars are meant to be a relaxing, |
| lit with a wood match, preferably a cedar | | | | calm smoking experience. This comes from |
| one. Cigarette lighters leave a unsavory odor | | | | their very structure and design. So when you |
| and taste on the foot of a cigar that might | | | | are smoking one, savor it. The best time to |
| stick around and ruin the experience. If you | | | | do so is after you've eaten, perhaps with a |
| absolutely don't have a wooden match, you can | | | | nice tumbler of scotch or brandy. Sip your |
| use a butane lighter, which will leave only a | | | | drink, and puff the cigar, but don't inhale |
| minimal odor. Once you have your clipped head | | | | completely. Cigar smoke is not supposed to |
| and match ready, strike the match and hold | | | | enter your lungs, and if it does it can be |
| the foot of the cigar over the flame, drawing | | | | harmful to your health. Inhaling deeply |
| at the same time. You should try to avoid | | | | doesn't improve the flavor anyway. Finally, |
| touching the cigar with the fire directly. | | | | smoke with friends. While it may seem silly, |
| Once the cigar is lit, you are ready to smoke | | | | a good cigar becomes a great cigar when |
| it. | | | | smoked in the company of friends, and a great |
| | | | cigar, well, becomes phenomenal. |
| Smoking: Dos and Don'ts | | | | |