Cigars for Beginners: A Complete Guide

wrapping cigar

If you’re looking to try cigars for the first time, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll talk about what you need to know before buying your first cigar and how to light one up once it’s in hand. We’ll also share some helpful tips on how to store them properly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible! If you’re new to this world of deliciousness then we hope this guide will help make your introduction a positive experience.

What To Consider When Buying a Cigar for the First Time

The wrapper is the outer layer of your cigar. It’s usually made with a tobacco leaf or two, and the quality of your wrapper will determine how your cigar will taste. Some wrappers are smooth and silky, while others are course and oily in appearance. The best way to tell if you like a certain type of tobacco wrapper is by smoking a cigar with that kind of wrapper!

A cigar’s wrapper helps define its taste and look.

The wrapper is the outermost layer of a cigar, and it’s what you see when you hold one in your hand. The wrapper determines both the look and a good amount of the taste  for each cigar, so it’s important to know about different types and how they affect your smoking experience. It can be made from any number of various leafs—some are stronger than others, some are more flavorful than others, but all are important parts of making sure that every cigar tastes good, looks great and burns evenly.

When it comes to cigars, single origin are unique.

Single origin cigars are made from tobacco grown in one place, often for a specific blend. This means that a single country or region is responsible for the entire flavor of the cigar. Single origin tobaccos, also referred to as puros are often more expensive than blends that come from multiple places, but they’re also considered to be more complex and have more nuanced flavors.

Cigars for Beginners FAQ 

What do cigars taste like? 

Cigars can be smooth or full-bodied, but their flavor is always complex.

The flavor of a cigar is complex, but also not always the same. The flavors of a cigar can change over time and depend on the wrapper. The differences in taste might be subtle, but they’re there. In general, smoother cigars tend to have more earthy or nutty notes while stronger cigars have hints of pepper or spice. But this isn’t an iron-clad rule—some full-bodied cigars are smooth and balanced while others pack a punch with strong herbal or peppery flavor profiles.

The strength of a cigar is measured by the types of tobacco used.

Full-bodied cigars are often pricier than smoother ones because they contain more ligero tobacco leaves. The additional expense comes from the fact that ligero leaves take longer to age, which means higher production costs for producers who want to keep up with demand for high-quality leaves.

There’s no denying that a medium-to-full bodied cigar will provide more flavor than a smooth one: You’ll get notes of spice, earthiness and coffee bean flavors with an extra kick of pepper. However, these types of smokes require extra care when lighting them since they  tend to have thicker leaves compared to  smoother cigar blends. 

How to smoke your first cigar

It’s time to learn how to smoke your first cigar.

First, you’ll need the right tools. You can’t smoke a cigar without:

  1. A cigar cutter (any style cigar cutter will do)
  2. A lighter or matches (a butane lighter is preferable, but you can use matches if necessary)

Smoking a cigar is an art form. It’s the perfect way to relax and enjoy yourself after a long day. But if you’re new to cigars, you might not know where to begin. This guide should have given you all the information needed to start buying and enjoying your own cigars as soon as possible!

How do you light a cigar?

Lighting a cigar is often the most intimidating step for beginners, but it’s really quite simple. All you need is a match or lighter and the patience to learn how to properly hold your cigar while lighting it.

To smoke a cigar, first cut the head (the cap  tobacco at the end) using a guillotine cutter, a bullet/punch cutter, or a V-cutter. Next, light your cigar with the flame from your lighter or match. Toast the entire foot of the cigar in a circular motion. After the foot of the cigar has been given a good amount of time to ignite, then gently puff on the cigar to ensure a good burn.

Do you inhale a cigar? 

The preferred method of smoking a cigar, is not to inhale. You are simply taking in the smoke from your cigar into you mouth and tasting the flavors and complexity of the smoke that it has to offer.Cigars are much more rich in flavor and taste to inhale them.!

Can you relight a cigar? 

Yes, it is possible to relight a cigar and every cigar smoker has had to relight his or her cigar. You might be in a conversation, or have to step away from smoking and come back to your cigar no longer burning. Simply, toast the foot of your cigar again evenly and gently puff again on the cigar to get it to relight. It is not recommended to try and relight a cigar after numerous hours or days have past since relighting it. Smoke can get trapped in the cigar, and after long periods of time this will dramatically alter the taste and cause it to have an unpleasant flavor profile.

How do you put out a cigar? 

We’ve all experienced it: you light-up a great cigar and get to enjoy it for a good few minutes, only to be suddenly interrupted with the need to put it out. Good cigars are certainly worth enjoying for as long as possible, but if you’re not careful you could be left with a smoldering cherry that no longer looks or smells quite as nice. So how do you put out a cigar in the most effective and pleasant way?

Very simple, just tap any remaining ash from your cigar into an ashtray and then simply rest your cigar on the side of the ashtray for the cigar to naturally go out on its own. That way, if you want to come back to your cigar, your cigar is in perfect condition for you to relight it.

Where should you store cigars? 

Most cigars are packed in cigar boxes that are not airtight. Once you open the cigar box, you will want to place the remaining cigars from the box into a humidor. The humidor should be stored  at room temperature, and the  ideal humidity in the humidor is to be between 65-70 degrees. If you are looking for a permanent solution and aren’t sure what the best storage method is for your cigars, buying a humidor is the best way to go.

Cigars kept in humidors, which maintain a constant humidity level, are by far the best choice for storing cigars.  Storing them in other airtight container will also work, but feature cedar that absorbs humidity to keep cigars stored properly.

Shop LM Cigars

LM Cigars is an online cigar shop that has a great selection of cigars. The prices are great, the customer service is great, and delivery is fast. The website is easy to navigate and placing orders is a cinch. Plus they have weekly promotions that helps you save money on your purchases as well as free shipping offers!

Cigar Lover Gifts: A Shopping Guide for Cigar Lovers

cigar closet

The cigar lover in your life deserves gifts of the highest quality. There are few things more satisfying than sitting back with a good cigar. Whether you smoke cigars or know someone who does, knowing how to find the best cigar gifts can be a challenge. Our list of the best cigar lover gifts will help you find the right gift for your favorite person. This is the ultimate gift guide for cigar lovers.

10 Cigar Lover Gifts They Will Love

If you’re looking for a gift for the cigar lover in your life, we’ve got some great ideas. The aficionados at LM Cigars have put together a list of 10 great gifts for your favorite cigar aficionado that will leave them feeling pampered, spoiled, and satisfied.

Iconic 9ct Cigar Sampler:

What’s the perfect cigar? It depends on who you’re talking to—and that’s why we offer our iconic 9ct cigar sampler: it has nine different cigars, each with a unique flavor profile and experience. So if you’re not sure what kind of cigar your loved one prefers, this is the perfect way to try them out without committing to an entire box. These cigars range from smooth to full-bodied and complex, with notes of spice, earthiness, and sweetness. They’re perfect for those who like flavorful Nicaraguan and Dominican tobacco blends but aren’t looking for something too strong or bitter. 

Craftsman’s Bench Passport Travel Humidor: 

This beautiful travel humidor can hold up to four cigars, keeping the cigars fresh and safe. The Craftsman’s Bench Passport Travel Humidor is perfect for any cigar lover who travels frequently or wants something to store their favorite cigars on the go. This travel humidor also makes a great gift for anyone who enjoys traveling abroad and wants to bring along some of their favorite cigars!

Diamond Crown Chocolate Leather Robusto Case:

If you’re looking for a gift for the cigar lover in your life, our Diamond Crown Chocolate Leather Robusto Case is exactly what you need! This beautiful chocolate-colored cigar case is made from Spanish leather, which will make any cigar lover feel like royalty when they use it. It can hold up to three cigars. 

Nub 4ct Cigar Punch Cutter Combo:

This is an excellent gift for any cigar lover who appreciates a high quality product and appreciates the process of hand crafting cigars. This combo pack includes four premium Nub cigar blends and a Nub cigar punch cutter. The cutter is ergonomically designed so that it fits comfortably in your hand while cutting your cigars. 

Diamond Crown Humidification System:

The Diamond Crown Humidification System is one of our most popular gifts for cigar lovers, because it’s so easy to use and lasts a long time. The Diamond Crown Humidification System is a great gift for cigar lovers. It uses an ultrasonic humidifier to keep cigars at the perfect humidity, so they’re always ready to smoke. 

Craftsman’s Bench Tan/Silver Churchill Case:

This cigar case has a handcrafted, leather exterior and designed to hold three Churchiill size cigars safe and secure. This case will make any cigar lover feel like they’re in heaven!

Craftsman’s Bench Laredo Humidor Combo

With its solid wood construction, this humidor holds up to 40 cigars and features a polished brass finish that will impress any guest who sees it on your home bar or office desk. The humidor also includes an analog hygrometer for easy monitoring of humidity levels. This beautiful piece would make a wonderful addition to any collection of cigar accessories, and would be perfect for any occasion where you want to show off your love of fine cigars!

Colibri Cigar Cutters:

For decades, Colibri has been known for its high-quality cigar accessories, and this particular product is no exception. Colibri cigar cutters are the perfect gift for any level of cigar enthusiast. You can’t go wrong with a cutter crafted from stainless steel. They also come in a variety of colors, so you can find one that matches your friend’s style.

Craftsman’s Bench Boca Grande Maduro Ashtray:

For the cigar lover who loves to smoke outside, this ashtray will be a great addition to their patio set. This luxurious ashtray is the perfect addition to any cigar enthusiast’s collection. The Craftsman’s Bench Boca Grande Maduro Ashtray is hand-sculpted and finished with a high-quality lacquer that makes it waterproof and fade resistant. It’s also built to last, so you can count on it to bring your friend years of enjoyment!

The Smoke Odor Exterminator Candle:

This candle is the perfect gift for a cigar lover who wants to enjoy his smoke without worrying about the smell. The Smoke Odor Exterminator Candle features a combination of natural ingredients, including activated charcoal and pure essential oils. It will remove any smells that linger after smoking cigars. This candle has a pleasant scent and can be used in any room in the house. It is also safe to use around pets, so you won’t have to worry about your cat or dog getting sick if they breathe in the smoke smell it eliminates.
If you’re looking for a great stocking stuffer or small gift that will make a big impact on your cigar-smoking friends, this candle is a great option!

Arturo Fuente Coffee:

If the cigar smoker in your life is also a fan of fine coffee, we have the perfect gift idea for them. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we don’t expect. And for cigar lovers, a good gift can be hard to come by. Arturo Fuente Coffee is a great gift for any cigar lover. This Cuban style coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans, and it’s blended with Dominican and Brazilian beans. It has a medium-roast flavor that’s smooth and rich, and it has hints of chocolate and caramel.

Craftsman’s Bench Manhattan Gift Set:

If you’re looking for a gift for a cigar lover, consider the Craftsman’s Bench Manhattan Gift Set. This set comes with all the tools they need to keep their cigars in prime condition: a double blade cutter, cigar case, humidifier, and hygrometer.
With these tools, they can cut their cigars with ease and keep them fresh until they’re ready to enjoy them. The Craftsman’s Bench Manhattan Gift Set is made from high-quality materials and has an elegant design that will look great on any table or countertop.
This gift set also makes a great addition to any cigar aficionado’s collection of accessories.

Luis Martinez Silver Selection Tres Petit:

But if you want to give them something special, make sure it’s something they haven’t tried yet. That’s why we’re recommending the Luis Martinez Silver Selection Tres Petit 6pk!
This collection of six cigars comes in a beautiful paper box that’s easy to carry around. The cigars are made with 100% premium tobacco grown in Central America. They have an incredibly smooth flavor with notes of vanilla and caramel sweetness—plus they’re hand-rolled by expert cigar rollers in Nicaragua.

Craftsman’s Bench Sonoma Gift Set :

This is a great gift if you want to get your friend something they can use in their home or office. The Craftsman’s Bench Sonoma Gift set includes a humidor that holds up to 25 cigars, along with a scissor cutter, humidifier, and hygrometer. It also comes with a wine bottle opener for that perfect cigar and wine pairing!

The J.C. Newman Cigar Company 6 x 60 Sampler:

A cigar sampler is an ideal choice: it’s something they’ll enjoy and use, and it’s a thoughtful gift that will show you put some thought into it. And with our selection of samplers, there are plenty of options to choose from. The J.C. Newman Cigar Company 6 x 60 Sampler is a great choice if you want to give someone four incredible cigar blends. The collection includes four different cigars from the prestigious J.C. Newman Cigar Company—you can’t beat that!
If you’re not sure what kind of cigar they like, this sampler offers a range of options, so you can choose something that works for them without having to guess whether they’ll like it.

Shop For Premium Gifts at LM CigarsA cigar lover’s life is all about quality, taste, and experience. We know that the perfect cigar lover gifts can be hard to find. After all, you want to choose something that is thoughtful and useful, but also luxurious and exciting. Cigars are a luxury experience. Experience the luxury of LM Cigar’s customer care and expert selection of gifts for the cigar aficionado in your life!

How To Use A Cigar Cutter 101 Guide

cigar cutter 12

Cigar cutters do exactly what they say they do – they cut cigars. Simple, right? But knowing how to use one properly can be tricky. There are several different types of cigar cutters, each with its own set of instructions and quirks. To get the most out of your cutter, you need to know how to hold it and which direction to turn it or angle it in order to get the cleanest cut possible.

Given the rich history, culture, and enjoyment that comes from smoking a fine cigar, you want to make sure your experience is everything it can possibly be. Learning how to use a cigar cutter sets you up for success. Researching the different types available and what they mean gives you an advantage as you purchase one that’s right for your preferences and style.

Types of Cigar Cutters

The first step to enjoying your cigar is to use a cigar cutter. Cigar cutters range in shape, size, style, and function. The three most important characteristics of any cigar cutter are sharpness, a clean cut, and durability. There are several different types of cigar cutters on the market, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

There are three primary types of cigar cutters: Guillotine, V-cut, and punch/bullet. Each tool will produce different results. Understanding how each type of cutter works is important for selecting which one best fits your needs. 

Make sure you choose wisely, as it will be one of your most important tools if you decide to start collecting cigars. 

Guillotine

 As a general rule, guillotine-style cutters have been considered standard and more affordable than other styles. Guillotine cigar cutters are typically made from stainless steel and feature a single blade or two blades that cut off the end of the cigar with a single slice. These are the most popular because they are inexpensive, easy to use and maintain, and can be found in most cigar shops or online stores.

Punch/Bullet

Punch cigar cutters, or also known as Bullet cigar cutters feature a small hole at one end through which you push out a small circular portion of tobacco until you’ve created a perfectly round opening to allow smoke through.

V- Cutter 

V-cutters work by slicing off both sides of the cap simultaneously in order to create “V” style  opening large enough for smoking purposes without damaging any part of the wrapper itself. This allows an opening larger than what a Punch/Bullet cutter can make, but a smaller opening option compared to cutting the entire cap off the cigar.Your personal preference will dictate which type of cutter you ultimately choose. All styles serve their purpose. Each cutter has its own method of cutting a cigar. With some trial and error, you’ll find what works best for you.

Steps To Using a Cigar Cutter

Cutting your cigar correctly is a key part of the smoking experience, and it’s one that can make or break your entire session.However, if you’ve never used a cigar cutter before, it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Cigar cutters are an essential tool for any serious cigar enthusiast. They allow you to easily and safely cut your cigars, which means you can enjoy them in a matter of minutes.

We’ve gathered some of the best tips on how to cut your cigar correctly, so you can enjoy every last puff.

3 Steps to Cut Your Cigar Correctly: 

  1. Locate the Cap

First, locate the cap on your cigar. This will be the end of your cigar that was completely closed off with tobacco.

  1. Position Blades on Cigar

Once you’ve found the cap, position your cutter depending on the style cutter in use.. The blade should be perpendicular to the cap; this will ensure that you get a clean cut without damaging any tobacco leaves or cutting too far down, past the cap of the cigar which could cause the outer wrapper leaf to unravel.

  1. Cut Swiftly

Now that everything is in place, cut swiftly! Remember, do not cut past the cap of the cigar never cut below this mark, or else you’ll risk damaging the wrapper or the entire cigar. 

Can you cut a cigar without a cigar cutter?

Yes, it is possible to cut your cigar without using a traditional tool such as a guillotine-style cutter, but it will damage the cigar, and dampen the experience. This is not recommended, because it can leave nasty cuts on your cigars and cause pieces of tobacco to break off while smoking. 

Cigars are a rich, rewarding experience. If you want to enjoy them to their fullest, you really should take the time and care necessary to enhance your experience. Slow down, enjoy the ritual, and you will be rewarded. 

Shop LM Cigars’ Cigar Cutters

If you’re looking for a cigar cutter, or just want to learn more about smoking cigars, LM Cigars has everything you need. Our selection of cigar cutters is second to none. We carry an extensive line of high-quality but affordable cigar cutters that will make any occasion more special.

We understand that not every smoker has the same budget or level of experience with cigars, so we’ve made it easy for anyone to find the best cigar cutter for them.

Whether you’re trying out the hobby for the first time or are an experienced aficionado who needs something, LM Cigars has you covered.