It is no fun wasting a fifteen-dollar cigar because it was lit improperly. If you follow the listed steps, you should be able to enjoy a Cohiba every time. Note: Even though a lot of cosmopolites indulge in the art of cigar smoking, tobacco use increases the risk of infertility, stillbirth, low birth rate, heart disease, and lung cancer.
Place the premium cigar in your hand, not your mouth as you would a cigarette.
With your other hand, take a double-bladed cutter and clip the closed head of the cigar at around 1/16″ or just above the shoulder, which is the meeting place of the cap (a piece of wrapper leaf used to secure the wrapper) and the cigar body. If you cut into or below the shoulder, the cigar will unravel.
Pick up your cigar lighter, not cigarette lighter, and flick it on. Never use a candle because the wax will distort the cigar’s flavor. Extra-long, wooden sulfurless matches are okay, but real cosmopolites, who are cigar aficionados by nature, own a personalized lighter.
Hold the flame away from the end of the cigar. Never let the flame touch the cigar.
Evenly rotate the cigar. Improperly rotating the cigar will only light half of the tip. This mishap will prevent an even draw during smoking.
Once the tip is evenly heated, gently blow on the embers (the smoldering remains of the fire) to create a completely rounded ash.
Place the cigar between your lips. Draw slowly by pulling in your cheeks. Never suck the cigar.
Carefully puff out through the cigar to get rid of any residue or odors that may have come from your lighter.
Draw slowly again. Allow the smoke to sit in your mouth for a moment. Puff the smoke out. Never inhale.
Allow a minute between puffs. Smoking a cigar too fast creates excess heat, which destroys the cigar’s flavor. Remember, a fine cigar is to be enjoyed in the same manner as a glass of fine wine.