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Your first cigar can be as daunting as it is exciting. You aspire to puff like a pro and may or may not have already acquired a cigar with which to begin. But wait, let's all calm down and learn these steps before we begin striking matches, flicking lighters, and what not.
First rule in smoking a cigar: have a cigar. There are several shapes and sizes to smoke, all beautiful in their own right, with different degrees of strength to boot; however, to get you started, let's begin with a mild corona shaped cigar.
The standard size and shape by which all others are measured. The cigar is around 6 inches long and about a 42 ring gauge. Now at this point you may be thinking to yourself, "What is a 42 ring gauge?" Ring gauge is how we measure the circumference of the cigar. I have a handy chart pictured here so that you can draw perspective from it, but basically it just breaks down the diameter into 64ths of an inch. A 42 ring gauge is a pretty standard, middle of the road, average size that converts to a little under 17 millimeters across (42/64ths is 16.67mm). That's about the size of an uncooked hotdog if that helps you. A cigar with an 18 ring gauge is about the size of a cigarette, while one with a 78 ring gauge would be, well, too big for you right now — not a starter cigar by any means.
Your corona should be mild in strength to start. I wouldn't recommend climbing atop the strength scale on a first go. There are various brands of cigars, all produced with different ways of blending and wrapping, but there should be a corona shape in any line-up that you might want to pick from. Ask your local tobacconist about cigars that are considered 'mild' or order online with a respected retailer.
Most reputable cigar retailers examine their cigars before selling them, however you should be in the habit of giving your cigar selection a cursory once-over before cutting and lighting it.
Check the cigar for any lumps on the surface, then squeeze the cigar a bit (lightly now, you don't want to hurt it) to check for inconsistencies. Generally you want the cigar to feel the same way, as far as firmness goes, from the cap to the foot.
Once you've examined your cigar, it's time to move on to cutting and lighting.
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Comments
" I wouldn’t recommend climbing atop the strength scale on a first go." LOL. Yeah, when Oliva first released their El Cobre cigars, I turned green smoking it. Nearly fainted. Now I could smoke one for breakfast, on an empty stomach. Oh, and don't think you're a weirdo or somehow aren't making a natural progression of some kind if you prefer to stay with milder cigars. I know some people who have smoked for 20 years, and still like mild cigars.
Great article & good advice to boot!
I haven't been smoking cigars regularly for an awful long time, barely double figures in terms of years.
One thing that's remained consistent has been my appreciation of Corona cigars, H. Upmann Half Coronas is one of my favourite short smokes. Easy to handle, tasty & never boring.
Sometimes you just don't have time for anything longer and I hate not finishing a cigar, relighting a cigar next day or whatever after having already smoked half of it isn't that great imho.
Im just wondering what's the different of Asian tobacco?