# WHY smoke cigars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 16, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244 "2005-11-16T01:33:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/1 "2005-11-16T01:33:49Z")
There seem to be hundreds of articles on the internet as to how to smoke a cigar. But I get that part: the question I have is: what am I supposed to be getting out of it? I’ve smoked all of two. I don’t inhale, just puff into the mouth and exhale after a while. And… is there something that is supposed to happen? With cigarettes, the nicotine certainly causes a buzz, the nicotine high. But with the cigar, I puff down the stogie to its finish and experience nothing. People pay hundreds of dollars for really good cigars, but at this point I just don’t get it, other than the fun of blowing smoke. I hear that the taste is the important thing, but I dont’ taste much of anything. The rim on my lips seems to be slightly sugared, which I guess is nice, but the smoke itself only has a faint, mild sweet taste and… I don’t get it. Am I still doing something wrong? Using old tobacco? I’m not exactly dying to smoke lots of cigars, but given that there are magazines and such devoted to this, I’m a bit confused as to what the fuss is all about when the off chance arises that I do smoke them (for instance, after winning a Govenor’s race :). ---
**Author:** ![Euthanasiast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Euthanasiast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euthanasiast)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/2 "2005-11-16T01:37:12Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > There seem to be hundreds of articles on the internet as to how to smoke a cigar. > > But I get that part: the question I have is: what am I supposed to be getting out of it? I’ve smoked all of two. I don’t inhale, just puff into the mouth and exhale after a while. And… is there something that is supposed to happen? With cigarettes, the nicotine certainly causes a buzz, the nicotine high. But with the cigar, I puff down the stogie to its finish and experience nothing. People pay hundreds of dollars for really good cigars, but at this point I just don’t get it, other than the fun of blowing smoke. I hear that the taste is the important thing, but I dont’ taste much of anything. The rim on my lips seems to be slightly sugared, which I guess is nice, but the smoke itself only has a faint, mild sweet taste and… I don’t get it. > > Am I still doing something wrong? Using old tobacco? I’m not exactly dying to smoke lots of cigars, but given that there are magazines and such devoted to this, I’m a bit confused as to what the fuss is all about when the off chance arises that I do smoke them (for instance, after winning a Govenor’s race :). Sweet taste? You’re smoking the wrong cigar. A good cigar will give you much of the benefits of your cigarettes without inhaling. With a cigar you don’t have to inhale to get the nicotine. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/3 "2005-11-16T02:16:43Z")
To reason to smoke cigars is the same reason to smoke anything. It makes you look cool. That said, every time I’ve smoked a cigar (maybe a dozen times in my life) I get a very definite high. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/4 "2005-11-16T04:05:29Z")
So I AM supposed to be getting the same nicotine feeling as smoking? Was I doing something wrong? Are you supposed to savor the smoke in your mouth longer? ---
**Author:** ![Euthanasiast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Euthanasiast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euthanasiast)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/5 "2005-11-16T04:13:23Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > So I AM supposed to be getting the same nicotine feeling as smoking? Was I doing something wrong? Are you supposed to savor the smoke in your mouth longer? My WAG is that you are smoking something like a flavored cigar, perhaps a Swisher Sweet or something along those lines. You described a sweet flavor. This sweet flavor is not part of any cigar that I have ever tried save for those cheaper brands. Try a nice connecticut wrapper like a Macanudo or something similar since you are a beginner. Anything by Arturo Fuente, Ashton, Macanudo, Punch, etc. should give you what you are looking for. Pull the smoke in a long draw and hold it momentarily before slowly pushing it back out. If you aren’t getting a similar (actually more enhanced) feeling about halfway through the cigar, you might try holding it in a little longer. It isn’t rocket science, and admittedly cigar smoking isn’t for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Apos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/6 "2005-11-16T13:56:14Z")
I distinctly believe that the sweet flavor was something on the wrapper: i.e. they sugared the rim of the leaves, not the meat of the cigar itself. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/7 "2005-11-16T14:41:21Z")
I’ll second the Punch recommendation. It’s easily the best cigar for around 4 bucks you can find, especially if the Rare Corojo is available. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2005, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/8 "2005-11-16T19:13:56Z")
> [@Apos](#): > > So I AM supposed to be getting the same nicotine feeling as smoking? Was I doing something wrong? Are you supposed to savor the smoke in your mouth longer? Must be a cheapie. The nicotine good cigar knocks my freakin’ head off. I wouldn’t drive after smoking one. Of course I inhale too. -rainy ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/9 "2005-11-17T05:31:19Z")
Cigar smoke is more alkaline than cigarette smoke, and is absorbed more easily into the soft tissue in the mouth. So you get the nicotine without inhaling. I enjoy an occasional cigar. For me a big part of the enjoyment is just that it gives me an excuse for taking an hour out of the day to just sit and relax. Smoking a medium-sized cigar takes a fair bit of time, so it forces you to sit and be contemplative. I occasionally invite a buddy over and we’ll just take a couple of chairs outside, have a cigar, and chat. It’s very enjoyable. I also enjoy cigars more with a drink of some sort. Not necessarily alcohol. Even just a coke. The mix of tastes is pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/10 "2005-11-17T05:34:29Z")
Actually, why smoke at all? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/11 "2005-11-17T05:46:50Z")
Because it’s enjoyable? ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/12 "2005-11-17T06:41:30Z")
Hmm. Did you choose to originally because it was enjoyable? Actually, wait, don’t answer that…I retract it and apoligize for my possible hijack. I’ll start a GD topic about it and hope to see you there, **Sam Stone**. 🙂 By all means, continue discussing cigars. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/13 "2005-11-17T07:09:50Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > I enjoy an occasional cigar. For me a big part of the enjoyment is just that it gives me an excuse for taking an hour out of the day to just sit and relax. Smoking a medium-sized cigar takes a fair bit of time, so it forces you to sit and be contemplative. I occasionally invite a buddy over and we’ll just take a couple of chairs outside, have a cigar, and chat. It’s very enjoyable. > > I also enjoy cigars more with a drink of some sort. Not necessarily alcohol. Even just a coke. The mix of tastes is pleasant. Yeah. Having a drink and a cigar and just chilling out is definitely enjoyable. I for one beleive that’s why cigars were created. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/14 "2005-11-17T08:54:03Z")
To echo the thoughts of other posters, if the wrapper tasted sweet, then you were not smoking what cigar smokers smoke. You were likely smoking what high school kids stuff with pot to create a “blunt” – basically a big, unfiltered cigarette. Yes, the smoke should taste good, but it should also taste interesting. Part of it is acquiring a taste and, eventually, being able to pick out and appreciate different aspects of a cigar’s character. It’s also a fun hobby. Some people collect baseball cards, others collect, age, and smoke cigars. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/15 "2005-11-17T11:21:53Z")
I’m going to third the Punch recommendation. It’s an excellent cigar. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/16 "2005-11-17T14:36:33Z")
> [@Sam Stone](#): > > I also enjoy cigars more with a drink of some sort. Not necessarily alcohol. Even just a coke. The mix of tastes is pleasant. I think it is more than just the mix of flavors. You will notice different flavors that you’ve never noticed before in beverages when accompanied by cigar smoke. I know sophisticated individuals make an art and science of pairing cigars with certain wines and liquors. I on the other hand take a more serendipitous approach…“Hey this PBR tastes pretty good with a cigar!” -rainy ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/17 "2005-11-17T14:55:11Z")
Back in high school, I had a friend who cultivated a taste for cigars. When I asked him why, he said “So that people will remember me.” If it really was his intention, it worked perfectly. His taste in cigars leaned toward the malodorous. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/18 "2005-11-17T17:13:20Z")
So to further hijack the thread into the discussion of drinks with cigars, which I agree heightens the buzz from both, let’s discuss the best combo. For me, nothing beats a single-malt Scotch with a cigar. One glass and one cigar and feeling good. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-smoke-cigars/331244/19 "2005-11-17T17:21:33Z")
Iced milk and/or hot coffee are my preferred beverages when smoking a cigar. I never developed a taste for scotch, port, etc., and carbonated drinks form an unpleasant fizz on my tongue if I’ve been smoking.