The Beginner's Guide to Premium Cigars

What Makes a Premium Cigar?

A premium handmade cigar is composed of three parts: the filler (the interior leaves that create body and flavor), the binder (a leaf that holds the filler together), and the wrapper (the outermost leaf that you see and touch). Each component contributes to the final character of the smoke.

The key differentiators of a premium cigar are:

• Hand-rolled construction — made by skilled rollers, not machines
• Long-filler tobacco — whole leaves folded lengthwise, not chopped scraps
• Aged tobacco — minimum 2–3 years, sometimes much longer
• Single origin or carefully blended — tobacco sourced from specific regions for defined character

Choosing Your First Cigar

Start mild. Even if you plan to eventually smoke full-bodied cigars, beginning with a medium or mild cigar lets you appreciate the nuances of flavor without the intensity overwhelming your palate.

Recommended starting points:

• Arturo Fuente Hemingway Signature — creamy, medium-bodied, easy to love
• Oliva Serie G Toro — Nicaraguan character at a fair price
• Macanudo Cafe — classic mild, smooth, beginner-friendly

Ring Gauge and Length

Ring gauge is measured in 64ths of an inch. A 50 ring gauge cigar is 50/64" in diameter — about the width of a nickel. Larger ring gauges tend to burn cooler and produce more flavor complexity. Smaller ring gauges burn hotter and can be more intense.

For beginners, a Robusto (5" × 50) or Toro (6" × 52) is ideal — not too long, not too thin, and they're widely available.

Your First Smoke

1. Inspect the cigar — Feel it along its length. It should be firm but have slight give. No hard spots or soft gaps. 2. Cut it — A guillotine cutter works best for beginners. Cut just above the shoulder (where the curved cap meets the straight body) — remove about 1/8". 3. Toast the foot — Hold the flame 1–2 inches from the foot and rotate the cigar slowly. You're pre-heating the tobacco before you take a puff. 4. Light it — Bring the flame closer and draw slowly while continuing to rotate. Get an even cherry (the lit end) before you start smoking. 5. Smoke slowly — One puff per minute is ideal. Smoking too fast generates heat, which makes the cigar harsh and bitter. 6. Don't inhale — Premium cigar smoke is meant to be savored on the palate, not inhaled into your lungs. 7. Let it rest — If the cherry gets too hot or the smoke gets harsh, set it down for 30–60 seconds.

How Long Does a Cigar Last?

A Robusto (5 × 50) typically takes 45–60 minutes. A Toro (6 × 52) runs 60–90 minutes. A Churchill (7 × 47) can go 90–120 minutes. Factor this into when you decide to light up.