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Cigar 101 · Free beginner's guide

Cigars for Beginners

How to choose, cut, light, smoke and store your first cigar, in 9 short lessons from the people behind our counter since 1950.

Start lesson 1 Best cigars for beginners
  • 9 lessons
  • 24 minutes to read
  • Since 1950 in Miami
  1. 01 Getting Started 4 lessons
  2. 02 Develop Your Taste 2 lessons
  3. 03 Keeping Cigars Fresh 1 lesson
  4. 04 Cigar Culture 2 lessons

New to cigars? You are in the right place. This is a free, short course from the people behind the counter at Mike's Cigars — nine quick lessons that take you from "which end do I cut?" to buying, smoking and storing cigars with confidence.

Nobody is born knowing this stuff, and there is no test at the end. Read the lessons in order or jump to whatever you are wondering about right now. Each one takes a few minutes.

Start here The 8 best cigars for beginners Mild, smooth and affordable: the cigars we actually hand to first-timers, and how to choose between them. →

Cigar 101: the lessons

Chapter 01

Getting Started

What a cigar is made of, and how to cut, light and smoke your first one.

  1. Parts of a Cigar: Wrapper, Binder, Filler and Cap Head, cap, foot, wrapper, binder and filler: the parts of a cigar explained simply, and why long filler matters. 3 min read Read lesson
  2. How to Cut a Cigar Where to cut a cigar, how much to take off, and when to use a guillotine, punch or V-cutter. Step by step for beginners. 3 min read Read lesson
  3. How to Light a Cigar Toast the foot, then light with a gentle draw. What to use, what to avoid, and how to fix an uneven burn or relight. 3 min read Read lesson
  4. How to Smoke a Cigar Don't inhale, puff about once a minute, and let the ash build. How to smoke and taste your first cigar, step by step. 3 min read Read lesson

Chapter 02

Develop Your Taste

Sizes, shapes and wrappers: how to read a cigar before you light it.

  1. Cigar Sizes and Shapes Explained Robusto, toro, churchill and more: how to read cigar sizes and ring gauge, how long each lasts, and which to start with. 2 min read Read lesson
  2. Cigar Wrapper Colors, from Claro to Oscuro From pale claro to dark maduro: what cigar wrapper colors and types taste like, and why darker does not mean stronger. 2 min read Read lesson

Chapter 03

Keeping Cigars Fresh

Humidity, humidors and keeping cigars at their best.

  1. How to Store Cigars Keep cigars at 65-70% humidity and 65-70F. How to set up a humidor, and how to store cigars short term without one. 3 min read Read lesson

Chapter 04

Cigar Culture

The etiquette and vocabulary of the cigar world.

  1. Cigar Etiquette for Beginners Ask before you light up, keep ash in the ashtray, and let it go out on its own. Simple cigar etiquette for beginners. 2 min read Read lesson
  2. Cigar Glossary: Terms Every Beginner Should Know Binder, draw, ligero, maduro, ring gauge and more: the cigar terms you will hear most often, explained in plain English. 3 min read Read lesson

Why people fall for cigars

A cigar is not something you smoke on the way somewhere. It asks for an hour of your time, and most people who stick with cigars will tell you that is exactly the point.

The flavor

Cigars are closer to wine or coffee than to cigarettes. Depending on the tobacco and where it was grown, you will find cedar, cream, nuts, cocoa, leather, pepper or dried fruit — and the flavor shifts as the cigar burns down.

Slowing down

You cannot rush a good cigar. An hour on the porch with nothing to do but pay attention to what you are tasting is a rare thing, and for many smokers it is the real appeal.

Marking the moment

Births, weddings, promotions, a closed deal, the last day of a fishing trip. Cigars have been the way people mark a big occasion for generations.

Good company

Cigar smokers are famously easy to talk to. Sit down in any lounge with a cigar and you will leave with a recommendation, and probably a new friend.

The ritual

Choosing, cutting, toasting and lighting a cigar is a small ceremony. Like brewing a proper pot of coffee, the routine becomes part of the pleasure.

The craft

A premium cigar is rolled by hand from leaves that were grown, cured, fermented and aged for years. Every one you light is the work of dozens of skilled people.

Where to keep learning

Your tobacconist

A good cigar shop is the fastest education there is. Tell them what you have tried, what you liked and what you did not, and let them point you somewhere new. A good tobacconist asks questions before recommending anything and never pushes the most expensive box on the shelf. We have been doing exactly that from our Miami shop since 1950.

Other smokers

Most cigar smokers love to share what they have learned, and many will happily hand you a cigar to try. Lounges, cigar events and friends who already smoke are all great teachers.

A sampler

The cheapest way to learn what you like is to taste several cigars side by side. A sampler gives you five to ten different cigars for less than buying them one by one. Keep notes on what you enjoyed — after a few samplers, your own preferences will be obvious.

Browse samplers →

These lessons

We keep adding to this guide. If there is a question we have not answered, ask us and it may become the next lesson.

Ready to try one? Start with our best cigars for beginners, browse samplers, or explore every cigar we carry.

You must be 21 or older to purchase tobacco products.