This is your go-to guide for cigar fundamentals, the place to start when questions come up. As part of our Cigar Academy, these articles focus on the basics that help you understand cigars with confidence. From common questions and cigar sizes to wrapper types and smoking basics, these articles break things down clearly and practically, no filler, no jargon, just useful knowledge that helps you get more out of every cigar.
It’s a question we get all the time, “Can I smoke half a cigar now and relight it later?” Per Cigar Aficionado, aggressive or repeated relighting introduces 'unpleasant flavors of char, carbon, sulfuric fumes and bitterness', sometimes the cigar isn't...
There’s something undeniably satisfying about watching solid inches of ash hold steady on the end of your cigar. It’s one of those quiet victories, proof that the craftsmanship, the blend, and your technique are all in sync. Per Cigar Aficionado,...
Some cigar blends are crafted to celebrate tobacco in its purest form, while others surprise the senses with added sweetness, aroma, or depth. The world of infused and flavored cigars can confuse even seasoned smokers. Both offer enjoyable, aromatic smokes, yet...
Flavored cigars are typically handcrafted premium cigars enhanced with added taste and aroma using syrups, oils, or coatings. Unlike infused cigars, which absorb natural essences from oils, coffee beans, or botanicals over time, flavored cigars get their flavor directly through application,...
There’s something unmistakable about lighting up an infused cigar; the aroma hits first, rich with coffee, cocoa, or vanilla, before the first draw ever reaches your palate. What exactly are infused cigars, anyway? Infused cigars are premium cigars enhanced with natural...
The cigar flavor wheel is a visual guide that helps cigar smokers identify and describe the wide array of different flavors and aromas found in premium cigars. Think of it as a map for your palate, a structured way to...
Cigars don't expire the way food does, but yes, they can go bad. Store them wrong and they dry out, over-humidify, or grow mold. Store them right, in a humidor holding 65–70% humidity and 65–70°F, and they'll last for years,...
Ever wondered why one cigar hits harder while another feels rich and creamy, even if they look the same? That difference comes down to two key traits, strength and body. Understanding how they work together can transform the way you...
When it comes to cigars, size is more than just what looks good; it defines the entire smoking experience. The ring gauge, which measures a cigar’s diameter, shapes everything from flavor and burn time to draw resistance and how it...
This section brings together cigar education and cigar fundamentals that help you understand what your smoking, compare cigars against others, and make better choices with confidence.
You’ll find articles that break down cigar sizes and shapes, wrapper types, strength and body differences, and the small details that influence how a cigar actually smokes. We also cover commonly asked cigar questions, from burn issues and draw problems to how flavor develops from the first third through the final stretch.
Every article is written from hands-on experience, not theory. The goal isn’t to tell you what to like, but to give you the context to understand what you’re smoking, why it behaves the way it does, and how to choose cigars that fit your taste, your pace, and the moments you smoke them.
Scroll through, explore what stands out, and take your time. Good cigars, and good understanding, are built, not rushed.
