The Ultimate Guide to Cigars

The world of cigars is incredibly vast. For the uninitiated, it can get confusing really quickly. From choosing a size and strength to exploring different wrapper options and brands, there are plenty of nuances that will leave your head spinning. You could be researching a cigar as a gift for a friend, only to find yourself with 12 tabs open and still have no idea what your friend would actually enjoy. To make things easier, we've brought our cigar guides together here to help you find your way.

Browse the sections below for beginner advice, cutting and lighting techniques, tobacco and wrapper guides, brand histories, storage tips, accessories, and even pairing ideas. Each section provides a short introduction and links to articles that cover the subject in more detail.

If you're new to cigars, start with Getting Started & Choosing a Cigar. Otherwise, choose a topic and expand the section to see the available guides.

So you don't know anything about cigars... Don't worry, we've all been there before, myself included. My first cigar was chosen purely by its length and color. I didn’t realize I was signing up for two hours with a cigar I wasn’t enjoying. At the time, I couldn’t pick out any flavors beyond tobacco. Since I’d paid for it, I felt obligated to finish it. I smoked it way too fast, and it was more about looking macho than relaxing. Instead of considering what I would have wanted out of the cigar, I picked what would look coolest in my hand. 

Figuring out what size, strength, and flavors you enjoy can take some exploring, but knowing those preferences can help narrow down the options. These guides explain the basics and give you a clearer starting point.

So you've managed to find a cigar you think you'll like. Now it's time to get ready to smoke it. Looking back at my two-hour first cigar, I wasn’t doing myself any favors by rushing. After some research, I learned that smoking too quickly can make a cigar burn hotter and taste harsh or bitter, making its other flavors harder to appreciate.

Cutting, lighting, and pacing all affect the experience. Explore these guides to learn how to prepare your cigar and find a comfortable smoking pace, along with answers to questions about ashing and relighting.

Hopefully your first cigar was a smash hit. Either way, you might be wondering what to try next. Learning about wrappers and tobacco can help you understand what you enjoyed and what you’d like to explore further. Wrapper names and descriptions can be confusing at first. These guides explain different wrappers and their characteristics, with examples of cigars that feature them. Start with our overview, or explore a specific wrapper in greater detail.

Where a cigar is made is only part of the story. The tobacco, growing conditions, and blending traditions all help shape what you taste, while the people and factories behind each cigar bring their own experience to the process. From Nicaragua to the Dominican Republic, explore the colorful history, tobacco-growing regions and their terroir, notable brands, and the various cigar makers that have helped put each country on the map. Whether you’re curious about a cigar you already enjoy or looking for something new, these guides offer a closer look at the places behind the smoke.

Just as there are many different cigars, there are plenty of brands and manufacturers to explore. Finding a brand you enjoy gives you a starting point for trying more of its cigars. In our brand guides, you’ll learn about their history, founders, and their different cigar lines. You can visit your favorite brand, a familiar name, or even discover something new that could become your next daily smoke or a celebratory cigar for life's milestones.

Getting into cigars can be dangerous to the wallet. If this becomes a hobby for you, you might find yourself buying cigars faster than you can smoke them, and storage space can quickly become an issue. The guides below explain how to store your cigars, whether to keep the cellophane on, and what to consider if you want to try aging part of your collection.

You've heard the saying, "The right tools make all the difference," and cigars are no exception. You don't need the most expensive gadgets, but a few well-chosen accessories can make cutting, lighting, and storing your cigars a lot easier.

Check out the guide below for more information on accessories that help with your cigar journey.

Maybe you’re looking for a cigar to enjoy with your morning coffee, something to accompany a favorite drink, or a gift for someone who already has a humidor full of options. Knowing where to start can take some thought. These guides offer pairing suggestions and gift ideas to help you find something that suits your tastes or the occasion.