Frequently Asked Questions About Cigars

The best approach is to start with three things: strength, format and occasion. Some people prefer milder cigars with a softer character, while others look for more body and strength. If you are unsure, it is often a good idea to start with something balanced and then explore what you enjoy.

Strength describes how powerful the cigar feels. A mild cigar usually feels softer and more approachable, while medium and stronger cigars tend to deliver more intensity, body and power. If you are not sure what suits you, it is often smart to start at the milder or more balanced end of the spectrum.

The format affects both how long the cigar lasts and how it develops while you smoke it. A smaller cigar is often better when you want a shorter session, while a larger format usually provides a longer smoking time and more development in flavor. That is why format is an important part of the choice, not just strength.

A good cigar does not have to be the most expensive one. For us, a good cigar is primarily one that suits your taste, your experience level and the occasion. There are highly appreciated cigars in several price ranges, so the most important thing is choosing the right cigar for you.

If you want to start with cigars that many other customers already appreciate, looking at our most popular cigars is a good idea. It is often an easy way to feel more confident in your choice or find something that many people return to.

A mild to medium-bodied cigar in a shorter format: Oliva Connecticut Reserve Robusto, Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 or Romeo y Julieta Mille Fleurs are three reliable choices. If you want an even easier start, try a box of cigarillos. You can find our complete beginner’s guide under New to cigars.

Choose something mild to medium with a smoking time of around 30–45 minutes, cut 2–3 mm, light it slowly and puff – do not inhale. Read the full step-by-step guide in New to cigars.

Strength is the nicotine – the part that can make you feel dizzy if the cigar is too strong. Body is the weight of the flavor. A mild cigar contains less ligero tobacco and often has a lighter wrapper; a strong cigar contains more ligero and darker leaves. Read more under Mild cigars.

From around 10 minutes for a cigarillo to 90 minutes for a Churchill. A Petit Corona takes around 25–35 minutes, a Robusto 45–60 minutes and a Toro 60–75 minutes. Smoking time is shown on each product page.

A cigar in a tubo or a 3-pack – the tubes cope without a humidor for a while and already look gift-ready. Montecristo Petit Tubos, Cohiba Siglo in tubos and Habanos Selección sets are among our most common gift purchases. If you do not know the recipient’s taste, ask us – we put together gift selections every week.

Three to five different cigars, one of each. That way you can learn what you like before buying a full box. Our cigar packs and subscription are designed for exactly that.

Yes – the price per cigar is lower than the single-cigar price, and you get a selection we have put together to show a broader range. For a beginner, it is the most affordable way to find what suits you.

It depends on the tobacco, wrapper and origin: mild cigars may show butter, nuts, cedar and cream; medium-bodied cigars cocoa, coffee and spice; stronger cigars pepper, dark chocolate, earth and leather. Cuban cigars have their own "twang", Nicaraguan cigars are known for power and Dominican cigars for softness.

The wrapper has a major influence, followed by the filler leaves (which parts of the plant they come from), the origin, aging, format – and how you smoke it. A cigar smoked too quickly can taste bitter regardless of quality.

No – often the opposite. Thicker formats smoke cooler and can feel softer; slimmer formats concentrate the smoke and can feel stronger with the same blend. Size determines smoking time, not strength.

A thicker ring gauge means more filler in relation to the wrapper, cooler smoke and a rounder flavor. A slimmer cigar means more wrapper influence, warmer smoke and a sharper profile. A longer cigar gives the blend more time to develop. Read more under How to read a cigar.

The filler is the tobacco in the center and provides much of the flavor and strength; the binder holds the cigar together; the wrapper is the outer leaf that you see and contributes significantly to the flavor. All three are tobacco.

The thickness of the cigar measured in 64ths of an inch. Ring gauge 50 equals 19.8 mm. 40–44 is slim, 50–54 is classically thick, and 56+ is very thick.

The cigar’s format – the combination of length, ring gauge and shape. Robusto, Corona, Churchill and Torpedo are vitolas.

Robusto: approx. 124 mm × 50, 45–60 minutes. Toro: approx. 152 mm × 50–54, 60–75 minutes. Churchill: approx. 178 mm × 47, 75–90 minutes. The same blend tastes slightly different in the three formats – the Robusto is the most concentrated.

It means the cigar has been pressed into a square shape in the box. This can provide a cooler smoke, a comfortable grip and often a somewhat more defined flavor – Flor de las Antillas and Aging Room Maestro are box-pressed.

A cigar where the wrapper, binder and filler all come from the same country. All Cuban cigars are puros; Flor de las Antillas and Furia are Nicaraguan puros.

Look for an even wrapper without large veins or cracks, a firm but springy feel, even packing without hard or soft spots, and a neatly applied cap. Then come the draw and burn – both should be even.

Cuban cigars are puros with their own earthy, spicy "twang" and elegance; Nicaraguan cigars are often stronger, darker and more peppery. Both can be world-class – they simply represent different styles. Read more on the Habanos page.

Power, dark spice, pepper and cocoa – with tobacco from Estelí, Condega and Jalapa. Producers such as AJ Fernandez, My Father, Oliva and Padrón have dominated many of the highest ratings in recent years.

Softness, creaminess and balance – often with Connecticut wrappers. Davidoff, Arturo Fuente and Matilde are typical examples. Cigars from the country are among the most common choices for beginners.

Cuba, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic are the three major producers, with Honduras close behind. "Best" depends on style: Cuban for character, Nicaragua for power and Dominican cigars for softness.

Yes, absolutely. A cigar pack is a good way to try several different cigars without having to choose everything yourself from the beginning. It suits both those who want to discover new favorites and those who want more variety in the same purchase.

It depends on how certain you are about your choice. If you want to try something new, we often recommend buying singles first. If you already know that you enjoy a particular cigar, a full box can be the more natural choice.

Yes, many of our cigars are available individually. This makes it easier to explore different cigars and find what suits you without having to buy a larger quantity right away.

A ready-made cigar pack or a carefully selected assortment is often a good gift. It is particularly useful when you want to give something to someone who enjoys cigars but you do not know exactly which cigars they prefer.

Cigarillos are normally smaller and are often suitable when you want a shorter cigar experience. Regular cigars come in more sizes and usually provide greater variation in both smoking time and experience. Which is best depends on the occasion, your taste and how long you want the cigar to last.

To get started, a cutter, a lighter and proper storage are often enough if you do not plan to smoke the cigars immediately. Many people also add a humidor when they want to store cigars correctly at home.

The most important thing is choosing a cutter that feels easy to use and gives a clean cut. For many people, a classic cigar cutter is a good first choice. If you have never used one before, starting with something simple and reliable is sensible.

We recommend a lighter that provides an even and controlled flame. This makes it easier to light the cigar correctly and get a good start. Many people find a lighter designed for cigars much easier to use than an ordinary everyday lighter.

A guillotine cutter (straight cut) is the standard and is enough for almost everything; V-cut and punch cutters are alternatives for thicker formats or for those who want a more concentrated draw. Scissors are for the traditionalist.

No, but they are a nice option: a cedar spill is lit with a lighter and provides a soft, odor-free flame. A gas lighter or matches will do the same job.

If you only buy a few cigars that you plan to smoke soon, you do not always need a humidor immediately. But if you want to store cigars at home regularly, we definitely recommend one, because proper storage makes a big difference to both quality and the smoking experience.

The most important thing is not to leave cigars in dry room air for long periods. Cigars do best in a stable environment where humidity is kept at the right level. If you want them to retain their quality, we recommend storing them correctly as soon as you get them home.

It depends mainly on how they are stored. With proper storage, cigars can remain in good condition for a long time, while poor storage can quickly dry them out and affect both flavor and burn. Storage is therefore just as important as the cigar itself.

Stable and controlled humidity is one of the most important factors in keeping cigars in good condition. We generally use levels suited to classic cigar storage that help the cigars maintain their structure, flavor and good burn over time.

A standard humidor is intended for storage at home, while a travel humidor is designed to protect cigars when you take them with you. If your main goal is storing cigars at home, a classic humidor is usually the right choice. If you want to carry cigars while traveling, a travel humidor is more suitable.

Start with how many cigars you want to store and how you plan to use it. If you only want to keep a small quantity at home, a smaller humidor is often enough. If you plan to build a larger collection or keep several different cigars, choosing more capacity from the start is a good idea.

In the right climate, in practice, no. Properly stored cigars can last for decades and often develop positively with age. Cigars stored too dry or too humid can, however, be damaged within weeks.

Often, especially Cuban and stronger Nicaraguan cigars: the pepper softens and sweetness can become more noticeable. Mild cigars generally gain less. One to five years in a humidor is a common "sweet spot".

Dry tobacco burns too quickly and tastes sharp. If the cigar is only slightly dry, place it in a humidor or sealed container with a Boveda pack for 2–4 weeks and rehydrate it slowly – never use water directly. If it is cracked and brittle, it is too late.

Wipe the inside with distilled water or place Boveda packs inside, then leave the humidor closed for 1–2 weeks until the hygrometer reads 65–70%. Then add the cigars. A humidor filled too quickly can draw moisture out of the cigars.

Place the hygrometer in a sealed bag with a 75% Boveda pack for 24 hours. If it does not read 75%, adjust for the difference. Digital hygrometers are generally more accurate than analog ones.

Smoke a cigar slowly and without inhaling the smoke into your lungs. Instead, keep the smoke in your mouth briefly to experience the flavor and aroma before blowing it out. A slow and steady pace generally gives a better experience.

The best approach is to light the cigar slowly and evenly. Begin by gently warming the foot of the cigar and rotating it so the glow develops evenly around the entire end. This gives the cigar a better start and reduces the risk of an uneven burn.

A cigar is cut by removing the closed tip before lighting it so the smoke can pass through properly. It is important to remove only a small part of the cap, not too much, because otherwise the cigar can crack or its construction may be compromised. Use a sharp cigar cutter for a clean, even cut.

When you are finished with a cigar, you normally do not stub it out like a cigarette. Instead, simply leave it in the ashtray and allow it to go out on its own, which is the most common and natural way to finish a cigar.

No. Cigar smoke is held in the mouth and then blown out – that is where you experience the flavor. Inhaling cigar smoke is both unpleasant and unnecessary.

Around every 30–60 seconds. Puffing more frequently makes the cigar hot and bitter; waiting too long may cause it to go out.

During the same session, yes – a cigar can go out and be relit. Saving it until the next day is not recommended because the flavor will be gone. Choose a shorter format instead if you are short on time.

Usually because of uneven lighting or airflow – wind, smoking too quickly, or a cigar that has been stored with one side exposed to more moisture. Turn the cigar so the slower-burning side faces downward, or make a small correction with the lighter.

Almost always because of too much heat: smoking too quickly, lighting too aggressively or smoking the cigar too far down. Slow your pace, let it rest for a few minutes – or put it down.

The cigar may be too humid, too little may have been cut from the cap, or it may be packed too tightly. Cut another millimeter; if that does not help, let the cigar rest in a slightly drier environment for a week. A draw tool can solve occasional "plugs".

The cigar may be too dry, the cut may have been too aggressive, or it may have gone through a rapid temperature change, such as lighting a cold cigar immediately. Let cigars reach room temperature and cut only the cap.

The filler is burning faster than the wrapper – usually because the cigar is too humid or is being smoked too quickly. Slow down and correct the burn with the lighter; if it keeps happening, lower the humidity in the humidor.

We work to dispatch orders as quickly as possible. If you want to know the exact delivery and processing times that apply, please refer to the information shown at checkout or on our website at the time of ordering.

If collection is available, this will be clearly stated on our website when you place your order. For many customers, it is a convenient option when they want to receive their cigars quickly or collect them themselves rather than wait for delivery.

We want shopping with us to be safe and straightforward. We therefore offer secure payment solutions and several common payment options, allowing you to choose the one that suits you best when completing your purchase.

Yes, of course. You can combine cigars, cigar packs and accessories in the same order, making it easy to get everything you need in one shipment.

The most important thing is choosing cigars based on your own taste, experience and the occasion. If you are unsure, we recommend starting with single cigars, a pack or other options that make it easier to explore without buying too much at once.