Welcome to Cigars 101, the beginner guide from Smoke Master Cigars in Canada. This page gives clear answers to common questions so you can choose, cut, light, store, and enjoy cigars with confidence. We cover cigar parts, shapes and strengths, buying tips for Canadian shoppers, storage basics for dry winters, and etiquette.
On this page:
1. Basics
2. Storage and Care
3. Smoking guide
4. Buying and choosing
5. Culture and lifestyle
6. Glossary
7. Quick Troubleshooting
8. Next Steps
Basics
What is a cigar?
A cigar is a rolled bundle of cured and fermented tobacco leaves. Premium cigars are usually hand rolled with whole long filler leaves, a binder leaf, and a high quality wrapper leaf. Machine made cigars often use chopped filler and a homogenized binder.
What are the parts of a cigar?
Wrapper, binder, and filler make up the body. The cap seals the head you cut, and the foot is the end you light. The band is just branding and can be slid off once the ash approaches.
What do length and ring gauge mean?
Length is in inches. Ring gauge measures diameter in sixty fourths of an inch, so a 50 ring
cigar is 50 divided by 64 inches wide. Thicker or longer cigars usually burn cooler and longer, and can feel a bit milder.
What are the common sizes and shapes?
Most cigars are parejos which are straight sided. Figurados have tapered or bulged shapes like torpedo or perfecto. Typical sizes include Robusto about 5 x 50, Toro about 6 x 52, Churchill about 7 x 47, and Corona about 5.5 x 42.
What is strength vs body vs flavor?
Strength refers to nicotine impact. Body is the weight or richness of the smoke in your mouth. Flavor is the taste profile such as cocoa, pepper, earth, or cedar. A cigar can be mild in strength but full in body and flavor.
What do wrapper colors mean?
Wrappers range from light claro to very dark oscuro. Darker wrappers often taste sweeter
because they are fermented longer, but overall strength still comes mostly from the filler blend. Connecticut shade is usually lighter and creamy, while maduro tends to be richer.
What is long filler vs short filler?
Long filler uses whole leaves and gives an even burn and firm ash. Short filler is chopped
tobacco which can burn faster and flake. Most premium hand rolled cigars use long filler.
Hand rolled vs machine made
Hand rolled cigars use natural leaves for every component and are crafted by a torcedor. They often draw better and age well. Machine made cigars are lower cost and more consistent, but use processed materials.
How are premium cigars made?
Tobacco is grown, harvested, cured in barns, then fermented in pilons to develop flavor. Leaves are sorted by size and color, aged, then blended and rolled. Finished cigars rest in aging rooms before being boxed and shipped.
How do I read a cigar name?
Most names include the brand, the line, the size or vitola, the wrapper type, and the
dimensions. Example format: Brand Line Toro 6 x 52 Connecticut. Knowing this helps you find the same blend in a size you prefer.
Do you inhale cigar smoke?
No. Draw the smoke into your mouth to taste it, then exhale. Inhaling is not required and will feel harsh.
How long does one cigar take to smoke?
It depends on size and your pace. A Robusto is about 45 to 60 minutes, a Toro about 60 to 90, and a Churchill can reach 90 minutes or more.
What is a good first cigar?
Start with a mild to medium blend in a Robusto or Toro size so it burns cool and does not
overwhelm you. Connecticut shade or balanced Habano wrappers are safe picks. Look at some great options on Cigar Samplers and Budget Bundles pages.
Any Canada specific tips for beginners?
Cigars may arrive dry in winter. After delivery, let them rest in a humidor for 24 to 72 hours before smoking so they recondition. Point readers to your Storage and care section for exact humidity targets.
Storage and Care
Do cigars expire?
Not if stored correctly. Tobacco is stable and can improve for years. Cigars dry out or get moldy only when humidity is wrong.
What humidity and temperature should I target?
Aim for 65 to 70 percent relative humidity and about 18 to 21°C. Many Canadian smokers
prefer 65 percent for a cleaner burn in dry winters.
How do I store cigars without a humidor?
Use an airtight plastic box or freezer bag with a humidity pack. Add a small divider to prevent direct contact with the pack. Keep it in a cool, dark place.
How do I season a new wooden humidor?
Place an 84 percent seasoning pack inside for 10 to 14 days. Do not wipe the wood with water. After seasoning, switch to your target humidity pack.
How long should cigars rest after shipping in winter?
Give them 48 to 72 hours to recondition in the humidor. Cold, dry air can shock the wrapper, so rushing often causes cracks.
What size humidity pack should I use and how many?
Rough guide is one 60 gram pack per 25 cigars in a sealed container. Use more packs in larger boxes so humidity is even. Replace when the pack becomes hard.
How do I fix dry cigars?
Rehydrate slowly. Put them in a sealed container with a 62 percent pack for a week, then move to 65 to 69 percent for another week. Rushing can split the wrapper.
How do I fix over humidified cigars?
Vent the container for a few minutes daily and use a lower humidity pack until they feel firm, not spongy. Let them settle for several days before smoking.
How often should I calibrate a hygrometer?
Check every three to six months. Use a salt test or a one step calibration kit and note the offset if it reads high or low.
Should I remove cellophane in the humidor?
Either way is fine. Leaving it on gives protection during handling and slows humidity swings. Removing it can help aromas marry if you age boxes long term.
Can I store infused or flavored cigars with regular cigars?
Keep them separate. Infused aromas can migrate and affect non infused cigars.
How many cigars can my humidor hold compared to the rating on the box?
The stated capacity assumes small coronas. Real capacity is often 60 to 70 percent of the
number printed, especially for robustos and toros.
How do I travel with cigars?
Use a travel case or a small airtight box with a mini humidity pack. Keep the case out of direct sun and do not leave it in a hot car.
How do I age cigars at home?
Stable conditions are key. Hold 63 to 65 percent humidity and 18 to 20°C, keep boxes
undisturbed, and sample every few months to track changes.
Is it mold or plume?
Mold looks fuzzy or web-like and can be blue, green, or white, and it wipes off smeary. Plume is a fine, even dusting of crystals that wipes clean and does not spread in patches. If in doubt, discard.
Smoking Guide
How to smoke a cigar?
How do I cut a cigar?
Score the cap just above the shoulder and remove only the small rounded end. A straight cutter gives an open draw, a V cut focuses the smoke, and a punch makes a tighter draw. Avoid cutting into the wrapper body to prevent unraveling.
What if I cut too much?
If the wrapper starts to fray, moisten the head slightly and twist the band end to tighten. Use a small strip of pectin or a cigar glue pen if needed. Next time, cut less and stay above the shoulder line.
How do I light a cigar properly?
Toast the foot without touching the flame and rotate until the edge is evenly charred. Bring the cigar to your lips, keep the flame just off the foot, and take short puffs while rotating until the rim glows all around. Let the cigar rest a few seconds before the first full draw.
Torch or soft flame?
A soft flame is gentle and gives great control indoors. A single or double torch is useful outside but keep the flame at a distance to avoid scorching. Matches work too if you let the sulfur tip burn off first.
How fast should I smoke?
Aim for about one slow puff every 30 to 60 seconds. Slow pacing keeps the cigar cool,
preserves flavor, and reduces harshness. If it tastes hot or bitter, slow down and let it rest.
How should I ash a cigar?
Let the ash form naturally and tap it off gently when it reaches about two centimeters. A stable ash helps temperature and burn. Do not bang or grind the ash, which can crack the wrapper.
What if my cigar burns unevenly? (canoeing)
Touch up the fast burning side with brief passes of the flame, or rotate the slow side down and puff gently to encourage it. Avoid hard draws which make tunneling worse.
What is tunneling and how do I fix it?
Tunneling is when the core burns but the wrapper lags. Relight by gently toasting the outer edge and take short puffs to bring the wrapper back. If it keeps happening, slow down and check humidity.
What if the cigar goes out?
Knock off loose ash, purge by blowing gently through the cigar, then relight by toasting and taking short puffs. Relights are normal and do not ruin a cigar if you keep the foot clean.
What is a purge and when should I do it?
A purge is blowing out through the cigar to clear stale smoke after relights or if flavors turn sour. Toast lightly and resume slow draws. This often restores cleaner flavor.
Should I retrohale?
Retrohaling pushes a bit of smoke through the nose to sense aroma. It is optional and should be gentle. Try it sparingly if you want more flavor detail.
When should I stop smoking a cigar?
Stop when it becomes too hot, bitter, or uncomfortable to hold. Most cigars finish naturally with a small nub left. There is no rule to smoke to the band.
How do I handle nicotine strength if I feel woozy?
Set the cigar down and take a break, sip water or a sweet drink, and have a small snack.
Choose milder blends and larger ring gauges next time, and slow your pace.
Can I save a half smoked cigar for later?
It is not ideal because the flavors turn stale. If you must, let it go out naturally, clip the burned end, and store it away from your humidor. Plan to finish it the same day.
Which cut should I choose as a beginner?
A straight cut on a robusto or toro is the safest start. If the draw feels too open, try a V cut for more focus. Punch cuts work best on medium to large ring gauges with a firm cap.
Buying and choosing
What are the best cigars for beginners?
Start with mild to medium blends in Robusto or Toro sizes for a cool, forgiving burn. Connecticut shade or balanced Habano wrappers are safe choices. See our Beginner Samplers.
What are good budget picks in Canada?
Look for bundles and house favorites with consistent construction. Aim for medium strength so flavor holds up outdoors. Browse Budget Bundles.
Which size should I choose?
Robusto is a great all rounder at about 45 to 60 minutes. Toro runs 60 to 90 minutes and stays cooler longer. Explore Robusto and Toro picks.
How do I pick by flavor profile?
If you enjoy coffee and cream notes, try Connecticut wrappers. For cocoa and earth, look for maduro. For spice and cedar, try Habano. Compare options in Shop Cigars.
Cuban vs non Cuban cigars
Non Cuban cigars from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Honduras offer wide flavor variety and reliable supply. Cubans are more restricted and vary by box. See New Arrivals to sample current non Cuban releases.
Singles, five packs, or boxes?
Buy singles to test, five packs for value, and boxes when you know you love the blend. Boxes also age evenly. Check Box Deals.
What is a cigar sampler and why choose one?
Cigar samplers group blends or sizes so you can learn what you like faster. They are the best path for beginners. Start with Beginner Samplers.
How do I choose a cigar as a gift?
Stick to mild to medium profiles and popular sizes like Robusto. Pair with a cutter and a two torch lighter. See Gift Ideas and Accessories.
What accessories do I actually need?
A sharp cutter, a reliable lighter, and a humidity pack for storage. Add a simple desktop humidor if you plan to keep more than a few cigars. Shop Cutters and Lighters and Humidity Packs.
What should I buy for Canadian winters?
Choose larger ring gauges which burn cooler and resist dry air. Carry a small case with a
humidity pack for travel. See Travel Cases and Packs.
How do ratings and reviews help?
Use them to confirm draw, burn, and flavor consistency across boxes. Prioritize blends with
many recent reviews. Explore Top Rated.
When should I step up in strength?
Once you can finish a mild or medium cigar comfortably, try medium plus blends in the same size. Keep your pace slow and note how you feel.
Cigar and Lifestyle
Should I remove the band?
Leave it on until the ash warms the wrapper, which loosens the glue. If it resists, wait longer to avoid tearing the wrapper.
How do I control smoke around non smokers?
Sit downwind outdoors and choose seats with good ventilation indoors. Take slower puffs and angle your exhale away from others. If someone looks uncomfortable, move or pause.
What drinks pair well with cigars?
Coffee, espresso, and unsweetened tea highlight creamy or nutty notes. Whisky, rum, and aged tequila match fuller blends. Start with light drinks for Connecticut cigars and richer spirits for maduro.
Can I pair cigars with food?
Yes. Mild cigars suit salty or creamy dishes, medium blends work with grilled meats, and fuller cigars follow dessert or a steak. Keep sauces and sweets modest so they do not overpower the cigar.
How do I remove cigar smell from clothes and rooms?
Air clothes outside, then steam or use a fabric spray. For rooms, crack a window, run an air
purifier with a carbon filter, and burn an unscented candle after you finish. Store cigars away from cooking and perfume odors.
Winter smoking in Canada tips
Choose larger ring gauges so the burn stays stable in cold air. Warm the cigar indoors, light near a wind break, and keep a spare lighter or matches. Use a small travel case with a humidity pack. See Travel Cases and Packs.
What is polite ashtray use?
Let ash fall by a light tap rather than grinding. Keep bands, cellophane, and cut tips tidy in one spot. Do not share ashtrays if someone objects.
How do I host a cigar night at home?
Offer a mild, a medium, and a fuller option, plus water and light snacks. Provide cutters,
lighters, and ashtrays for each guest. Share a short how to light demo for new smokers. Stock up in Cutters and Lighters.
Is it okay to relight often in social settings?
Yes. Knock off loose ash, purge gently, and relight with short puffs. Keep the flame off the
wrapper to avoid smoke and odor spikes.
Can I travel with cigars on flights?
Cigars themselves are fine in a carry case. Lighter and cutter rules vary by airline and airport, so check before you go. Pack a cutter in checked luggage when unsure and use a small humidity pack. See Accessories.
What makes a good cigar gift?
Pick mild to medium profiles in popular sizes like robusto. Add a cutter and a two torch lighter, and include a simple card. See Gift Ideas and Beginner Samplers.
Any health considerations to note?
Cigars contain nicotine and carry health risks. Do not inhale, pace slowly, and stop if you feel light headed. Keep cigars and tools away from children and pets.
Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | F | H | I | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W
- Band
- Paper ring with brand info; remove only after it warms.
- Binder
- Leaf that holds the filler together under the wrapper.
- Bloom (plume)
- Fine, even crystals on the wrapper; harmless and wipes clean.
- Body
- Weight and richness of smoke in the mouth, not the nicotine level.
- Box press
- Cigar pressed into a square profile to change mouthfeel and burn.
- Cabinet selection
- Loose packed boxes meant for aging and airflow.
- Candela
- Bright green wrapper with grassy, herbal notes.
- Cap
- Small piece of wrapper leaf that seals the head; the part you cut.
- Capa
- Spanish term for wrapper.
- Capote
- Spanish term for binder.
- Cheroot
- Open ended cigar with no cap, often machine made.
- Cigarillo
- Small cigar that smokes in about 10 to 20 minutes.
- Cold draw
- Test pull before lighting to check airflow and taste.
- Colorado
- Reddish brown wrapper color family.
- Combustion
- How evenly the cigar burns given humidity and construction.
- Culebra
- Three thin cigars braided together and sold as one.
- Draw
- Ease of airflow through the cigar; too tight is plugged, too open is airy.
- Dry boxing
- Resting cigars in a slightly drier box for a day before smoking to improve burn.
- Fermentation
- Controlled heat and pressure process that darkens leaves and builds flavor.
- Filler
- Blend of leaves inside the cigar that provides most flavor and strength.
- Figurado
- Any shaped cigar that is not straight sided, like torpedo or perfecto.
- Foot
- End you light.
- Head
- End you put in your mouth, finished with a cap.
- Herf
- Informal group cigar session.
- Humidor
- Sealed box or cabinet that holds stable humidity for storage.
- Humidity pack
- Two way salt based pack that maintains target RH.
- Hygrometer
- Device that reads humidity; digital is most accurate.
- Infused cigar
- Cigar flavored with added aromas such as vanilla or coffee.
- Ligero
- Upper priming leaf that adds strength and slower burn.
- Long filler
- Whole leaves running the length of the cigar, used in premium hand rolled cigars.
- Maduro
- Dark, longer fermented wrapper with richer, sweeter notes.
- Mixed filler
- Short and long pieces combined; often used in value cigars.
- Mold
- Fuzzy growth in patches that smears when wiped; discard affected cigars.
- Mouthfeel
- Texture and weight of smoke on the palate.
- Nub
- Small end piece when a cigar is smoked down; also a thick short size style.
- Nicotine strength
- Physiological impact from nicotine, separate from body or flavor.
- Notes
- Flavors you perceive, such as cocoa, cedar, pepper.
- Oscuro
- Very dark wrapper, nearly black, with deep sweetness.
- Over humidified
- Spongy feel and muted burn from high RH.
- Parejo
- Straight sided cigar with parallel walls.
- Pigtail
- Twisted cap style that can be pinched off or cut.
- Pilón
- Stacked leaf pile used during fermentation.
- Plugged
- Cigar with restricted draw due to tight rolling or stem blockage.
- Premium cigar
- Hand rolled with long filler, natural binder and wrapper.
- Primings
- Leaf positions on the plant, from lower volado to upper ligero.
- Punch cut
- Circular hole made in the cap with a punch tool.
- Purge
- Blow gently through the cigar to clear stale smoke after a relight.
- Retrohale
- Push a small amount of smoke through the nose to sense aroma.
- Ring gauge
- Diameter measured in sixty fourths of an inch; 50 ring equals 50 divided by 64 inches.
- Rosado
- Reddish wrapper shade prized for aroma.
- Resting
- Letting cigars settle after shipping or after a humidity change.
- Seco
- Mid plant leaf that adds aroma and burn.
- Shoulder
- Curve where the cap meets the body; cut just above this line.
- Short filler
- Chopped tobacco used in machine made or mixed filler cigars.
- Shade grown
- Leaf grown under cloth for thinner, lighter wrappers.
- Soft flame
- Butane or match flame that gives gentle control when lighting.
- Sun grown
- Leaf grown in full sun for thicker, more robust wrappers.
- Tooth
- Small bumps on the wrapper from leaf oil pockets.
- Toro
- Popular size around 6 by 52.
- Torpedo
- Figurado with a tapered head.
- Tripa
- Spanish term for filler.
- Tunneling
- Core burns faster than the wrapper; usually caused by fast puffing or high humidity.
- Tupperdor
- Airtight plastic box used as a budget humidor.
- Underfilled
- Loosely packed cigar with fast, hot burn.
- Uneven burn
- One side runs ahead, also called canoeing; rotate or touch up.
- Wrapper
- Outer leaf that provides much of the cigar’s first impression and aroma.
- Winter shock
- Cracking or tight draw after cold delivery; rest in a humidor 48 to 72 hours before smoking.
Quick Troubleshooting
Why is my cigar burning unevenly (canoeing)?
Rotate the slow side down and slow your pace. Touch up the long side with brief passes of flame. Keep storage around 63 to 67 percent RH; wetter cigars tunnel or canoe more.
What is tunneling and how do I fix it?
The core burns faster than the wrapper. Knock ash off, gently toast the outer edge, and take short puffs. If your RH is above 68 percent, dry box 12 to 24 hours.
The draw is too tight. What now?
Re cut a thin slice above the shoulder. Massage the cigar gently to loosen a hard spot. A draw tool can clear a plug; if it stays plugged, exchange it. See Accessories.
The draw is too loose. What now?
Switch to a V cut or punch to focus airflow. Puff slower and let the cigar rest more between draws. Lower RH to 63 to 65 percent for firmer feel.
My cigar keeps going out. How do I prevent it?
Puff every 30 to 60 seconds. Knock off loose ash before relights and toast the rim evenly. Very high RH or windy patios cause frequent go outs; aim for 63 to 67 percent RH and shield the foot from wind.
Why does it taste harsh or bitter?
You are overheating the cigar. Slow down, let it rest, and purge by blowing gently through the cigar before relighting. Larger ring gauges and 65 percent RH burn cooler.
The wrapper is cracking. How do I stop it?
Cold dry air causes winter shock. Rest deliveries 48 to 72 hours in the humidor before smoking. Repair small splits with cigar pectin and avoid over handling.
My cigars feel spongy or over humidified. Fix?
Vent the box for a few minutes daily and use a lower target pack (62 to 65 percent). Dry box single cigars 12 to 24 hours before smoking.
My cigars are dry. Can I save them?
Yes, rehydrate slowly. Seal with a 62 percent pack for one week, then move to 65 to 67 percent for another week. Rushing can split the wrapper.
Is this mold or plume?
Mold is fuzzy and can be blue, green, or white and smears when wiped. Plume is a fine crystal dust that wipes clean and does not spread in spots. If unsure, isolate the box and discard affected cigars.
Is my hygrometer accurate?
Calibrate every three to six months with a salt test or a one step kit. Note the offset and place the sensor away from humidity packs. Digital units are most reliable. See Accessories.
Do cigars have nicotine?
I feel nicotine sickness. What helps?
Set the cigar down, sip water or a sweet drink, and have a small snack. Choose milder blends and larger ring gauges next time, and slow your pace. Do not inhale.
Next steps
Now that you know the basics, choose your next move.
1. Try a beginner sampler
Start with mild to medium blends and learn what you like. See Beginner Samplers.
2. Save with budget bundles
Good construction and value for everyday smoking. Browse Budget Bundles.
3. Build a starter kit
Add a sharp cutter, a reliable lighter, and humidity packs. Shop Accessories.
4. See what is new
Explore current releases from Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Honduras. Check
New Arrivals.
5. Pick proven favorites
Choose blends with strong recent reviews. Explore Top Rated.
6. Keep learning
Read the Glossary and Quick troubleshooting sections on this page.
7. Need help choosing
Message our team or visit us in store. See Contact and Accessories if you need tools today.
8. Visit our blogs section
We constantly updated our blogs as the industry continues to evolve. Keep up with the latest cigar news here in Canada.