The Basics of Cigar Etiquette

Where to Smoke
It is important for one to know where to smoke and where not to smoke. Common sense tells us we have the right to smoke on our own property. That really is not the issue, though. The real issue is where in PUBLIC can we appropriately smoke and where should we avoid smoking?

It is reasonable to conclude that any restaurant, café, or bar you visit in this society is more than likely not going to welcome your cigar smoke. Cigar smoking has become unpopular along with cigarette smoking in this culture. None of us like to face this, but the reality is that smoking of ANY kind is on the strong disapproval list of the politically correct movement and faux bovine health and wellness extremism.

It serves none of us to lose our cool over such prejudices. We all have choices to make here in a dignified manner. We can either cooperate with the pressure not to smoke, or we can leave and go to a cigar lounge or some private place where we are still allowed to enjoy our own freedom.

Resentment and protest are bad form unbecoming of true cigar etiquette. Be the better person and speak with action rather than axe grinding words (like they do.)

Cigar etiquette tells us to always ask our friends—even close friends—if it is ok to smoke at their place. This is the wise and decent thing to do even at a party where things are getting a bit wild. Most people will not mind if you are smoking a cigar outside. Most people WILL mind if you light up inside their home.

When to Ash
Knowing when to ash is another important aspect of cigar etiquette. It is actually considered acceptable to let the ash build up at the foot of the cigar. This cools the smoke and helps increase the flavor. Letting the ash get too long, however, can result in a mess. The rule of thumb to follow here is simple:

The more expensive the item UNDER your ash, the more often you should keep the foot of your cigar near a cigar ashtray.

Keep the Band On the Cigar
There are those that say that it is bad cigar etiquette to leave a band on a cigar. Where do they get that idea? Showing people what you are smoking is a great way to invite them (silently) to start a conversation on brands.

This is much better, in fact, than impolitely offering what might be an unwelcome comment about a particular brand, or asking someone else what they think of your choices. That could sound needy and uninformed.

Let people see, let people comment, respond graciously and congenially. THAT is cigar etiquette at its most refined form.

However, if you prefer to remove the cigar band, do so after the cigar has heated up. This loosens the glue that holds the band to the wrapper. Otherwise, you may actually damage the wrapper. Some Cuban and Montecristo cigars, in fact, have bands that simply do not want to come off.

This is another good reason why it is actually good—not bad—cigar etiquette to keep the band on.

Cigar Fillers

Cigar Filler is the tobacco at the heart of the cigar. 98 percent of the cigar is made from this portion of tobacco, and most of its flavor comes from it as well.

What makes cigar fillers different from cigarette fillers?With cigars, you have a leaf wrapper wrapped around leaf fillings. With cigarettes, you have finely cut tobacco that has paper wrapped around it.

Are different kinds of fillers used in making cigars?Many cigars, especially the world-famous brands, use different kinds of tobacco for cigar filler and the cigar wrapper. High quality cigars are often called long filler cigars, meaning that they use long leaves throughout.

They also use a third kind of tobacco leaf called a binder that lies between the filler and the outer wrapper. This layer allows the makers to make wrappers out of more delicate and attractive leaves. Such cigars almost always blend different types of tobacco. Even Cuban cigars will use tobacco grown on different parts of the island to blend multiple flavors.

Lower-grade, machine-made cigars will often rely upon chopped tobacco leaves for filler. Long leaves or even a paper-like substance made from tobacco pulp is used for the wrapper that keeps the cigar together. This causes these cigars to burn differently, and they are therefore less sought out than hand-rolled cigars.

How are cigar fillers prepared?Cigar fillers and binders are removed from tobacco leaf bales and inspected. If necessary, they are aired on racks to get rid of excess moisture. They are then stored in wooden barrels until they are ready to be used.

How is the cigar filler rolled? In a hand-rolled cigar, the filler will be made of several different blends of long tobacco leaves. In machine made cigars, short filler is used, and it contains chemicals and other substances along with remnants of tobacco leaves.

The cigar filler creates about half of the overall flavor. The cigar wrapper leaf of tobacco creates the rest of the flavor. The binder itself has little or no flavor at all.

Where is cigar fillers grown?Filler tobaccos are grown throughout the world. In Cuba, cigar manufacturers only use filler that is grown in Cuba. Other cigar manufacturers will use filler that comes from several different countries.

There are tobacco fields throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. A great deal of cigar filler tobacco is also grown in Mexico. Of course, the most famous and beloved leaf comes from the Vuelto Abajo region of Cuba. Its volcanic soil produces a tobacco that is rich, smooth, spicy, and sweet.

Jamaican cigar fillers are known for being light in body and sweet in taste.

Dominican fillers feature a wide range of flavors because The Dominican Republic has so many different climates, altitudes, and soil types.

Honduran filler has something of a coffee tone to it. Nicaraguan cigar fillers are known for spicy and earthy tones.

Mexican filler is strong, sweet, and spicy. Much of it, in fact, is often blended with Jamaican and Dominican tobacco.