Cigar 101 – Guides to Cigar Basics

Welcome to Cigar 101, our library of plain-English guides to cigar basics. Each one answers a single question well, from how to cut a cigar to what a wrapper does. They are written for adults in Malaysia and for visitors, so they also cover the climate, the customs and the law. There is no jargon without an explanation, and no sales talk.

How our cigar 101 guides are organised

The guides fall into four groups. You can read them in any order, but each group builds on the one before it.

Getting started. These are the essentials for a first cigar. Our pillar guide to cigars for beginners is the best single place to start. It links to everything else in this section.

Technique. Next come the practical skills: how to cut a cigar, how to light a cigar and how to smoke a cigar. We also answer the most common question of all, do you inhale cigars, in a short guide of its own.

Understanding cigars. These guides explain what you are holding. Start with the parts of a cigar, then the types of cigars and cigar sizes. After that, read about cigar wrappers, the cigar strength chart, and hand-rolled vs machine-made cigars. We also cover cigarillos and the world’s most expensive cigars.

Enjoying cigars. Finally, these guides turn smoking into tasting. Learn how to taste a cigar, find a good cigar pairing, and brush up on cigar etiquette for lounges and events.

A suggested learning path for beginners

If you are completely new, this order works well.

Read the beginner’s guide. Start with cigars for beginners for the big picture.
Learn the parts. Then read the parts of a cigar, so the rest makes sense.
Master the cut and light. Next, practise cutting and lighting.
Smoke slowly. After that, follow how to smoke a cigar, and remember you don’t inhale.
Pick your strength. Use the cigar strength chart to choose your next cigar.
Start tasting. Finally, try how to taste a cigar and keep simple notes.

Along the way, the glossary explains every term, from ring gauge to retrohale.

Cigar basics in Malaysia

Most cigar guides assume a cool, dry climate and relaxed smoking laws. Malaysia has neither. Outdoor humidity often sits between 70 and 90 per cent, while air-conditioning dries rooms out fast. As a result, storage matters more here than almost anywhere. Our guide on how to store cigars explains how to keep them in good shape in the tropics.

The law matters too. Smoke-free rules under Act 852 cover many indoor and outdoor places, so check our guides to where to smoke cigars and cigar laws in Malaysia before you light up. And because no cigar is safe, our guide to cigar health risks sets out the evidence honestly.