Cigar FAQ: Answers to Common Questions

A premium cigar has three parts, and all of them are tobacco. The filler sits in the centre and gives most of the flavour. Around it, a binder leaf holds the filler together. Finally, a wrapper leaf covers the outside and shapes the look and much of the taste. There is no paper and, in a premium cigar, no added flavouring. See our guide to cigar anatomy.

Farmers grow and harvest tobacco, then cure the leaves in barns for several weeks. Next, the leaves ferment in large piles, which removes harshness. After ageing, a roller bunches the filler inside a binder, presses it in a mould and adds the wrapper by hand. Machine-made cigars follow a faster, simpler process. Our guide to hand-rolled vs machine-made cigars explains the difference.

Cigars fall into two broad shapes. Parejos have straight sides, like the robusto, corona and Churchill. Figurados have tapered or curved forms, such as the torpedo and perfecto. Beyond shape, you can also group cigars by wrapper colour, strength, country and whether they are hand-made. Our overview of types of cigars covers each group with examples.

Start with something mild to medium in strength and modest in size. A corona or robusto with a light Connecticut or claro wrapper is a common choice. It gives you 45 minutes or so, which is long enough to learn without feeling overwhelmed. Also, smoke slowly and have water nearby. Our guide to cigars for beginners walks you through the first smoke.

Good cigars taste of more than smoke. Common notes include cedar, leather, coffee, cocoa, nuts, cream and black pepper. Darker wrappers often lean sweet and earthy, while lighter ones feel creamy and mild. The flavour also changes as the cigar burns. To pick out the notes, try our guide on how to taste a cigar.

A maduro cigar has a dark brown wrapper that has gone through longer or warmer fermentation. That extra time brings out sweet notes such as cocoa, coffee and molasses. However, maduro describes colour, not strength, so a maduro can still be fairly mild. Our guide to cigar wrappers compares every shade.

Ring gauge is a cigar’s diameter, measured in 64ths of an inch. So a 50 ring gauge cigar measures 50/64 of an inch, or about 20 mm, across. Thicker cigars usually burn cooler and slower, while slim ones put the wrapper flavour forward. The cigar sizes chart lists the common lengths and gauges.

Most people smoke cigars for the ritual and the flavour rather than for nicotine. A cigar takes time, so it often marks a celebration, a long chat or a quiet evening. Many smokers also enjoy the craft behind each cigar. Even so, cigars carry real health risks, which our guide to cigar health risks explains honestly.

First, cut the cap at the head. Next, toast the foot over a flame until it glows evenly, then draw gently while you rotate the cigar. After that, puff about once a minute and hold the smoke in your mouth rather than your lungs. Let the ash build a little before you tap it off. Our step-by-step guide on how to smoke a cigar covers each stage.

No. You draw the smoke into your mouth, taste it and let it go. Cigar smoke is stronger and more alkaline than cigarette smoke, so inhaling it can cause coughing and dizziness. Still, nicotine reaches your body through the lining of your mouth anyway. Read more in do you inhale cigars.

If you inhale by mistake, you will likely cough and feel light-headed. Your throat may also burn, because cigar smoke is harsh on the lungs. Regular inhaling raises the health risks sharply, especially for lung disease and cancer. For the facts, see our guide to cigar health risks.

You light the foot, the open end where you can see the filler leaves. The head is the closed, rounded end that goes in your mouth, and you cut that end before lighting. Our guide on how to light a cigar explains toasting the foot for an even burn.

Usually not. Most cigars have an open foot already, so you only cut the cap at the head. The exception is a figurado with a closed foot, such as a perfecto. In that case you can simply light the closed tip, since it opens as it burns. See how to cut a cigar for each cut.

A very sharp knife works best. Lay the cigar on a hard surface, place the blade just above the cap line and roll the cigar under it with light pressure. Alternatively, a clean, sharp point can pierce a small hole in the cap. Biting the cap off tends to tear the wrapper. Our guide on how to cut a cigar covers the safer options.

With a torpedo, where you cut decides the draw. A cut near the tip gives a tight, concentrated draw, while a lower cut opens it up. For a first try, cut about a third of the way down the taper with a guillotine. Then test the draw and trim again if needed. Never use a punch on the pointed head. See how to cut a cigar.

Press the round blade gently into the centre of the cap and twist it once or twice. Then pull it out and tip away the small plug of tobacco. A punch leaves the edges of the cap in place, so the wrapper stays secure. It suits rounded heads but not torpedoes. Our guide to cigar cutters compares punch sizes.

Hold it lightly between your thumb and your first two fingers, the way you might hold a pen. There is no strict rule, so choose what feels natural and relaxed. Also, rest it on an ashtray between puffs rather than waving it around. Our guide to cigar etiquette covers the finer points.

Yes, and it is perfectly normal. First, tap off the loose ash and blow gently through the cigar to clear stale smoke. Then toast the foot again and draw slowly. A cigar relit within an hour or two usually tastes fine, but one left overnight often turns bitter. See how to light a cigar.

You do not need to stub it out. Simply rest it in an ashtray and let it go out on its own, which takes a few minutes. Crushing it releases a sharp, stale smell. Once it is cold, dispose of it in a bin outside if you can. Our guide to cigar ashtrays explains why a deep, wide rest helps.

It depends mostly on size and your pace. A petit corona usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. In contrast, a robusto lasts about an hour, and a double corona can run past two hours. Smoking slowly keeps the cigar cool and the flavour sweet. Our cigar sizes chart lists typical smoking times.

Drink plenty of water while you smoke, since a dry mouth makes the taste linger. Afterwards, brush your teeth and tongue, then rinse with mouthwash. Many smokers also find that coffee, citrus or a light meal helps. For drinks that suit a cigar in the first place, see our guide to cigar pairings.

Most cigars keep best at about 65 to 69 per cent relative humidity. Malaysia’s outdoor air often sits well above that, while air-conditioned rooms can be much drier. So cigars left out in either place drift out of range quickly. Ideally, keep them sealed and aim for a steady temperature too. Our guide to cigar humidity explains the numbers.

A humidor is a box, cabinet or room that keeps cigars at a steady humidity. It usually has a Spanish cedar lining, a tight lid, a humidifier and a hygrometer. The humidifier releases or absorbs moisture, while the cedar buffers the swings. In Malaysia, a cool, stable spot matters just as much. Read our humidor guide.

An airtight plastic food container with a two-way humidity pack works very well. This setup, called a tupperdor, costs little and handles Malaysia’s climate nicely. Keep it in a dark, cool cupboard, away from windows and air-con vents. Check the cigars every week or two. Our tupperdor guide shows how to set one up.

Stored well, premium cigars can last for many years and often improve with age. Left in the open, though, they can dry out within days in an air-conditioned room. Cigarillos and machine-made cigars have less to gain from ageing. Our guide to how long cigars last covers both cases.

Cigars have no expiry date, but they can spoil. Too dry, they crack and taste harsh. Too wet, they burn poorly and may grow mould. Heat can also hatch tobacco beetles. As long as you keep humidity and temperature steady, a cigar stays smokable for years. See how long do cigars last.

Often, yes, if you go slowly. Place the cigar in a container at a lower humidity first, around 60 per cent, for a week or so. Then move it to your usual level. Rushing the process can make the wrapper swell and split. Badly cracked cigars rarely recover. Our guide to cigar humidity explains the method.

White, powdery spots that wipe away cleanly may be bloom, also called plume. In contrast, fuzzy spots, or any blue or green patches, are mould. Mould means your storage is too humid. Remove the affected cigars and lower the humidity before it spreads. Our guide to mould, plume and beetles helps you tell them apart.

Beetle eggs tend to hatch when cigars sit above about 24°C, especially when humidity is high too. So keep your cigars in the coolest stable place you have. Some smokers also freeze new cigars to kill any eggs, then thaw them slowly. Tiny round holes in the wrapper are the warning sign. See mould, plume and beetles.

Yes. New cedar is dry, so it pulls moisture from your cigars until it has absorbed enough of its own. Seasoning means raising the wood’s moisture slowly, usually with distilled water or humidity packs, over a few days. Then you can add cigars. Our guide to humidor seasoning gives the steps.

Not for long. A fridge is cool, but it is also very dry and full of food smells that cigars absorb. However, a short spell in the freezer, sealed in a bag, can kill beetle eggs. For everyday storage, a sealed container in a cool cupboard works better. See how to store cigars.

Prices vary widely. Flavoured cigarillos sit at the low end, while premium hand-made cigars cost many times more, and rare Cuban releases cost far more still. Size, origin, age and brand all shape the price. Malaysian excise duty adds a large share too. Our guide to cigar prices in Malaysia explains the ranges.

A premium cigar takes years to make. The leaf grows for months, then cures, ferments and ages, often for two years or more. After that, a skilled roller makes each cigar by hand. On top of this, Malaysia charges high tax on tobacco imports. Our guide to cigar prices in Malaysia breaks down the costs.

Rare, aged and limited releases sit at the top, along with special humidors sold as collectors’ sets. Prices at that level depend on rarity and auction demand rather than on what is in the leaf. Our guide to the most expensive cigars explains what drives those figures.

Most boxes hold 10, 20 or 25 cigars. Cuban boxes of 25 are especially common, and some special releases come in boxes of 10. Cabinet boxes can hold 50, tied in a bundle with ribbon. Smaller packs of three or five also exist. For more on packaging, see our guide to Cuban cigars.

In general, premium cigars appear at specialist tobacconists, some hotel cigar lounges and airport outlets. Convenience stores mainly stock machine-made cigarillos. Online sale of tobacco products is banned under the Control of Sale Regulations 2024, so any website offering cigars is breaking the rules. We do not name or recommend sellers, but our Kuala Lumpur guide describes the local scene.

No. Most convenience-store cigars are machine-made cigarillos, often flavoured and sometimes tipped. Premium cigars, by contrast, use whole leaves and hand rolling. The two smoke very differently, so judge each on its own terms. Our guide to convenience-store cigars in Malaysia compares them.

Yes. Unlike the United States, Malaysia has no embargo on Cuban products, so Cuban cigars are legal to import and sell. Even so, they follow the same duty and tobacco rules as other cigars, including Act 852. That covers registration, packaging, sales and where you can smoke. Our guide to cigar laws in Malaysia explains the details.

Act 852 is the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024. It came into force on 1 October 2024, and it is now Malaysia’s main law on tobacco and other smoking products. It covers sales, advertising, packaging and smoke-free places. Our explainer on cigar laws in Malaysia and the Malay guide to undang-undang cerut cover it in full.

You must be 18. Under Act 852, anyone under 18 counts as a minor. Shops may not sell smoking products to minors, and minors may not buy, smoke or use them. Sellers must also display a sign showing the under-18 ban. Our guide to cigar laws in Malaysia sets out the rules and penalties.

No. Eating places are non-smoking areas under the Non-Smoking Order 2024, whether indoors or outdoors. The ban also covers any spot within 3 metres of a table or chair used to serve food. So an open-air terrace usually counts too. Fines apply for breaking the rule. Our guide on where to smoke cigars in Malaysia explains where you can light up.

There is no duty-free allowance for tobacco. According to the Royal Malaysian Customs traveller guide, tobacco products are excluded from the traveller exemption. So even a single cigar is dutiable, and you should declare it at the Red Lane. Failing to declare is an offence under the Customs Act 1967. Our guide to bringing cigars into Malaysia explains the process.

A duty-free allowance is the amount of goods you can bring into a country without paying import tax. Each country sets its own limits. In Malaysia, the traveller exemption covers items such as some alcohol, clothing and gifts, but it excludes cigarettes and tobacco products. So cigars always attract duty. See bringing cigars into Malaysia.

Langkawi still has duty-free island status for many goods, but not for tobacco. The duty exemption on cigarettes and tobacco products ended on 1 January 2021 at all duty-free islands, Bernama reported. As a result, cigars there carry duty much like on the mainland. Our Langkawi guide explains the current picture.

Usually, yes. Most airlines let you carry cigars in hand luggage, but you cannot smoke them on board. Lighters and cutters face stricter rules, and customs limits apply when you land. A hard case protects the cigars from crushing. See our guide to cigar cases and travel before you fly.

It depends on the airline and airport. Many security checks treat cutters with blades as sharp objects and refuse them in the cabin. So the safest option is to pack your cutter in checked luggage. Punch cutters sometimes pass, but not always. Our guide to cigar cases and travel has more tips.

Only in the smoking rooms and zones listed in the Non-Smoking Order 2024. At KLIA these include named smoking rooms airside and kerbside smoking zones at both terminals. Everywhere else in the airport area is non-smoking, and fines apply. Follow the airport signs, since room numbers can change. Our guide on where to smoke cigars in Malaysia has more detail.

Yes. Cigars are not a safe alternative to cigarettes. The US National Cancer Institute links cigar smoking to cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus and lung, even when people do not inhale. Risks rise with how often you smoke. Our guide to cigar health risks sets out the evidence and where to find help to quit.

Yes, and often a lot. According to the US National Cancer Institute, a single cigar can provide as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. Even without inhaling, your body absorbs nicotine through the lining of your mouth. That is why a strong cigar can make you dizzy. See cigar health risks.

They carry different risks rather than less risk. Cigarette smokers usually smoke more often and inhale, which harms the lungs and heart. Cigar smokers, by contrast, face high risks for mouth and throat cancers, and the danger grows if they inhale. Neither habit is safe. Our guide to cigar vs cigarette compares them.

They can be. Cigars contain nicotine, which is addictive, and your mouth absorbs it even if you do not inhale. Occasional smokers may feel less pull than daily cigarette smokers. Still, regular use can lead to dependence. If you want to cut down or quit, our guide to cigar health risks lists local support.

Yes. Cigar smoking causes cancers of the mouth, larynx, oesophagus and lung, and may also cause pancreatic cancer, according to the US National Cancer Institute. The risk grows with frequency and with inhaling. No level of tobacco use is risk-free. Read our guide to cigar health risks for the full picture.

A strong cigar can, because of its nicotine. Some smokers feel light-headed, sweaty or slightly sick, especially on an empty stomach. If that happens, put the cigar down, drink water and eat something sweet. Next time, choose a milder cigar. Our cigar strength guide explains how strength differs from flavour.

That is your choice. Many smokers leave the band on, while others remove it once the cigar warms and the glue softens. If you pull it off too early, you may tear the wrapper. In a group, nobody should mind either way. Our guide to cigar etiquette covers this and other customs.

During Ramadan, many Muslim Malaysians fast from dawn to sunset, and smoking breaks the fast. So be considerate. Avoid smoking in public view during the day, and keep your cigar for a private space or after sunset. Our guide to cigar culture in Malaysia offers more local etiquette.

Coffee, rum, whisky and cognac are classic choices. In Malaysia, a strong kopi or a sweet teh tarik also suits a mild morning cigar. Water matters most of all, since it keeps your palate fresh. Try matching strength with strength, so a bold cigar meets a rich drink. See our guide to cigar pairings.

People in the Americas smoked rolled tobacco leaves long before Europeans arrived, and Maya art shows early smoking. In 1492, members of Columbus’s crew saw people in Cuba smoking tobacco. After that, the habit spread to Spain and the rest of Europe. Our history of cigars tells the full story.

Not too often. A firm ash of about 2 to 3 cm helps the cigar burn cool. When it starts to feel heavy, roll or tap it gently over the ashtray. Flicking it constantly, as you might with a cigarette, can heat the cigar. Our guide to cigar etiquette has more tips.

Cuba’s Vuelta Abajo region has soil and climate that suit tobacco unusually well. Cuban makers also have centuries of experience, and famous brands such as Cohiba and Montecristo built strong reputations. That said, many non-Cuban cigars now match them for quality and consistency. Our guide to Cuban cigars weighs the claims.

The United States imposed a trade embargo on Cuba in 1962, after the Cuban revolution. As a result, Americans face strict limits on Cuban goods, including cigars. The rules have shifted several times since. None of this applies in Malaysia. Our guide to Cuban cigar history explains the background.

Check the box first. Genuine boxes carry a government warranty seal, a Habanos hologram and a factory code stamped on the base. Inside, the cigars should look consistent in colour and size, with neat caps. Very low prices are a warning sign too. Our guide to fake Cuban cigars lists every check.

Cuban cigars usually cost more than most non-Cuban cigars of a similar size. Prices depend on the brand, size, rarity and age, and Malaysian duty adds a large share. A small, everyday Cuban cigar costs far less than a limited edition. Our guide to cigar prices in Malaysia explains the ranges in plain words.

Cuban cigars often taste earthy, woody and slightly sweet, with a distinctive tang. Nicaraguan cigars, by contrast, tend to be bold and peppery, thanks to volcanic soil. Dominican cigars are often smooth and balanced. These are only broad trends, though, and each brand differs. Compare them in our guides to Nicaraguan cigars and Dominican cigars.