“Manners maketh man.”
—William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester
ANY LEISURE ACTIVITY brings with it a set of typically unwritten rules, protocols and etiquette. In other words, traditions. Cigars—very much a heritage epicurean industry and pursuit—are no different. Esoteric minutiae? Hardly. These are the basics. In the end, all you need is a cigar, a cut and a fire. Wish to be embarrassed by exposing yourself as a heathen? No? Read on, then.
CIGAR CASE: So you’ve either preselected some cigars for an afternoon jaunt or evening out, or you’ve trekked to your local merchant with your cigar case in hand. In any scenario, a gentleman should always carry a “three-finger” case: a cigar for oneself, one to give away and one to trade.
If you have more than three on you, let decorum and civility be your guide. But three is the minimum. People who have single-cigar cases or cigar tubes are selfish pricks.
CUTTING: SIG’S CIGAR 101: How to Cut a Cigar Link
LIGHTING: The goal here is to have a perfectly even light across the circumference of the foot regardless if you’re using a match (or two), a soft-flame lighter or a torch lighter. Cedar spills (a.k.a. splints) are messy and pretentious—please don’t.
STEP ONE: Hold whatever flame you have away from the foot of the cigar—not far, an inch or so. Do not immerse the cigar’s entire bottom directly into the fire. The goal is to toast (lightly scorch) the foot and the bottom edges to achieve an even burn. The goal is decidedly not to charbroil the entire bottom and sides.
STEP TWO: After the bottom is toasted, take the cigar to your mouth—with the flame still near, but not touching the foot—and take a few puffs. Then, instead of exhaling into the room or (if outdoors) in front of yourself, turn the cigar to the lit end and blow gently and directly on the foot—about four inches from your face. If you see a perfect circle—success! Goal achieved. Now puff away.
THE BAND
Whether to remove a cigar’s band or let it remain has occasioned considerable debate. There’s no right or wrong answer. Do as you please.
Keep this in mind, though: Should you decide to remove it (as I regularly do), take great care not to tear the wrapper leaf, which can happen.
As for cigars such as the Cuban Romeo y Julieta Cedros selections, or the Bolívar New Gold Medal (new or classic) do not be one of those officious doofuses who tears away part of the sheath and keeps the part with the band to let everyone know what they’re smoking. Smoke the cigar, not the band. To do otherwise is outré and déclassé.
ASHING
I am a premature asher—which is not the same as a habitual flicker like cigarette smokers, but a whimsical and playful flicker who likes to dispose of my ash in anticipation of its inevitable fall.
Most will tell you to let cigar ash linger until it tumbles into the ashtray of its own volition. This works, of course, but should you be wearing a cashmere sweater or suit of some sartorial repute, my advice is to take preemptive measures and ash when it exceeds an inch and a half by giving it a light tap or rolling the ash along the edge of the ashtray.
THE END
Let your cigar rest in an ashtray and extinguish itself. Never, ever, ever, mash it out or it will give off an acrid, noxious and completely avoidable smell.
THE CONSIDERATE PATRON
Whether you’re a habitué of cigar lounges or a first-time visitor, even if you have cigars on you, the polite thing to do is to purchase at least one cigar from the establishment you’re in. However, if a lounge or club has a cutting fee (like a wine corkage fee, but for cigars) and serves libations (which one also presumes you’ll be enjoying), then smoking your own is more than acceptable given that the fee is typically the same as the price of a cigar.
THE CONSIDERATE SMOKER
To some, a cigar's smoke is a perfumed mélange; to many others, it’s a malodorous cloud. I have always tried to be a mindful smoker, and you should too. When you’re in a cigar bar or tobacconist with a lounge or sampling area, most anything goes; anywhere else, be thoughtful of others. The world is an angry enough place as it is.
