The cigar: history, types and the art of enjoyment

1. What is a cigar?

A cigar, also known as a puro or habano (when from Cuba), is a product made entirely from dried, fermented, and carefully rolled tobacco leaves. Unlike cigarettes, which use shredded tobacco and paper, a cigar is made completely from tobacco leaf—wrapper, binder, and filler. This gives it a more complex flavor, slower burn, and a handmade quality that makes it a true object of reverence.

Smoking a cigar is not just inhaling smoke—it’s a complete sensory experience that involves taste, aroma, texture, and tradition. It’s a symbol of relaxation, celebration, and refinement, and has accompanied historical figures, artists, politicians, and pleasure-seekers throughout the centuries.

2. A brief history of the cigar: cultural journey

The origins of cigars go back thousands of years to ancient American civilizations. The Mayans, Taíno, and other indigenous peoples smoked tobacco leaves in ceremonial and social settings. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492, his sailors witnessed this practice and brought tobacco back to Europe, where it rapidly gained popularity.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, tobacco cultivation and cigar production expanded across the Caribbean colonies, especially in Cuba, which soon became synonymous with top-quality cigars. The factories of Havana and regions like Pinar del Río laid the foundation for what we now know as a “habano.”

Over time, cigars became associated with aristocracy, diplomacy, and the arts. From Winston Churchill to Fidel Castro, and from Mark Twain to Gabriel García Márquez, the cigar has accompanied both personal and historical moments of great intensity. Today, premium cigar production has spread to Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Ecuador, and beyond.

3. How to smoke a cigar: ritual and technique

Smoking a cigar is not like smoking a cigarette. It’s a slow, almost ceremonial act. The key is to savor the smoke without inhaling—draw it into your mouth, appreciate the flavor, then release it slowly.

The ritual starts before lighting:

• Choose the right cigar for the occasion.
• Cut the cap (the closed end) properly using a good cigar cutter.
• Light it carefully with a torch gas lighter or long match (avoiding fuel that alters the flavor).
• Smoke slowly, without rushing, allowing the cigar to reveal its character.

A cigar usually evolves as you smoke it: starting mild, developing complexity in the middle third, and reaching full intensity toward the end. The experience can last from 20 minutes to over an hour, depending on the size.

The setting also matters: a calm space, a good drink, and if possible, good company.

4. Types of cigars: sizes, strengths, and origins

Cigars are classified in various ways:

a) By size and shape (vitola)

• Corona: classic, balanced.
• Robusto: short and thick, very popular.
• Churchill: long, for extended smoking sessions.
• Toro, Panetela, Belicoso, Torpedo, and others.

Size affects the duration of the smoke; ring gauge influences the burn and flavor profile.

b) By strength

• Mild: ideal for beginners.
• Medium: more complex but balanced.
• Full-bodied: intense and persistent; better for seasoned smokers.

c) By wrapper color

• Claro (Connecticut): light, subtle flavor.
• Colorado: reddish hue, slightly sweet.
• Maduro and Oscuro: darker, richer, often with toasty or earthy notes.

d) By country of origin

• Cuba: the gold standard, known for rich and nuanced flavor.
• Nicaragua: bold and spicy profiles.
• Dominican Republic: smooth and balanced.
• Honduras and Mexico: strong regional personalities.

Each country brings its own style, blending, and cultivation tradition, offering a wide range of sensory experiences.

5. Key aspects: storage, pairings, and beginner tips

a) Storage and humidors

Tobacco is sensitive to humidity. A poorly stored cigar dries out, loses aroma, and can crack. If too humid, it may burn unevenly or become acidic.

The ideal humidity is between 65% and 70%, and the temperature between 18 and 21°C (64 and 70°F). For this reason, keeping cigars in a humidor is essential. This small cabinet or box maintains optimal conditions thanks to cedar wood and a humidification system.

b) Perfect pairings

Cigars pair wonderfully with:

• Aged rum (enhances sweet/spicy notes).
• Whisky or bourbon (accentuates roasted flavors).
• Espresso coffee (adds boldness).
• Cognac or brandy (refined and harmonious).
• Even a full-bodied red wine, in some cases.

Balance is key: the drink should complement, not overpower.

c) Common mistakes

• Inhaling smoke (cigars are not meant for this).
• Rushing the smoking process.
• Lighting with gasoline or sulfur-based fuel.
• Storing cigars without humidity control.
• Cutting too deep or unevenly.

d) Beginner tips

• Start with mild, short cigars like a Petit Corona.
• Visit a tobacconist and ask for recommendations.
• Don’t get too caught up in brands—explore and learn.
• Enjoy the moment without distraction.

Conclusion: a slow-burning art form

Smoking a cigar is more than consuming tobacco. It’s a journey through tradition, craftsmanship, and self-reflection. It honors the work of growers, rollers, and artisans, and invites the smoker to slow down and savor the moment.

Whether you’re an experienced smoker or just starting out, the world of cigars offers rich aromas, evolving flavors, and timeless rituals. Like all fine arts, it requires patience, respect—and most of all, enjoyment.