What should I realistically expect when smoking a cigar for the first time?

[Oliverlogan263]

[nolabels]

I love cigars.
I have one going right now.

My first premium cigar was a:
Brand - Romeo y Julieta
Blend - Reserva Real
Size (Vitola) - Corona

I'd recommend that as a starter for a new cigar smoker.
They're mild but have nice flavor.
Just about every cigar shop will have them.
If they don't have the Corona size, they'll almost certainly have a Toro size, slightly longer and larger diameter than a corona.
Toros tend to be the most popular size for most folks.

I don't smoke the Reserva Real anymore, but only because I've developed a taste for medium-full bodied cigars, and the Reserva Real now tastes like just air to me.
I remember that first one as being wonderful, though.

If you have access to a cigar lounge, I'd say that's your best bet to get all the help you'll need if you care to sit down there and enjoy your first cigar.
Go in and tell them that you're new to cigars, and you would appreciate any help that they can give you.
I've found that cigar smokers everywhere are very helpful folks.
Remember that the shop owner wants you to be satisfied as you may become a regular customer to them.
You might ask them to cut it and get it lit for you if you're hesitant about doing so yourself.
They may have suggestions for other sticks than the one I recommended.
You do you in choosing your first one.
I'd spend at least $8 to get a decent stick.
Cigars at less than $8 can be okay but those can be iffy sometimes in consistency of quality.
You want your first cigar to be pleasurable, not a pain in the butt.
More seasoned smokers know how to deal with some of the cheaper ones.
I'd stay away from them until you get a good feel for what you're doing.

If you do go to a lounge, you may want to pair your smoke with a drink.
I like bourbon neat with mine.
The bourbon adds a lot to the experience in terms of flavor derived from the cigar.
The lounges have TVs going, and you might make some new friends there, too.

I hope that you enjoy your first cigar, but you might find that they're not your thing.
That's okay, too.

Different sizes of the same blend will have similar flavors but have different burn characteristics.
Fatter cigars such as a Gordo will produce much higher volumes of smoke per draw than thinner sticks such as a Lancero.
The Corona and Toro sizes are medium diameter as well as length.
There are tons of different sizes to choose from.
I'd also stay away from a Belicoso or Torpedo size.
They have tapered heads and can take some getting used to how to smoke them.
The different sizes and shapes are known as the Vitola of the cigar.

You can see absolutely tons of cigar tutorials on YouTube, but everybody says something different there, so you might be overwhelmed by the variety of techniques that you'll see there.

I've accumulated many cigar accessories and I know what to use to cut each type of cigar for the best results.

The guillotine cutter is the cheapest and pretty common, but it's really easy to ruin a cigar if you cut too much off of the end with a guillotine.
A cigar punch is pretty foolproof for a new smoker.
I like V-cutters and I make my own punches out of spent rifle shells that punch a larger hole than most store-bought punches.

If you really get into cigars, there is tons of knowledge that can be learned about them.

Some accessories such at lighters and cutters can get pretty pricey, but you don't need to invest a ton to get started.

I could go on and on talking about cigars, but I don't want to overwhelm you with information as a new smoker.

If you have questions, I'd love to help you out as much as you'd like, either here or in a DM.

I hope you enjoy your first smoke.

Cheers to you.

[DryGermanGuy]

Expect some people to quote Sigmund Freud. :-D

[Anonymous]

How to Smoke Your First Cigar
The cigar almost seems like a prerequisite for being a badass. It’s the final prop in the man’s man toolkit. Look to fictional characters like Tony Soprano to Tony Montana, the cigar is practically an extension of themselves. This could be you. It's time to learn how to start smoking cigars and throw back some stogies. Get Started

Many would-be cigar smokers never start because they’re afraid of looking like a complete novice when they start. Don’t worry everyone has to start somewhere. There are certain types of cigars that’ll be too strong for a first timer. These might even turn you off to the prospect of smoking. The best place to start is with a mid-flavored cigar. They are also cheaper and a good way to ease you into your new hobby. You also won’t have to worry about messing up an expensive cigar by incorrectly prepping or lighting it. Your local cigar shop will give you a few recommendations for beginners and help you get set up. Once you’ve decided on a specific cigar, inspect it for quality. A good quality cigar shouldn’t have any cracks or discolorations. Squeeze it to make sure that there is a uniform solidness to it – not too hard or soft, just right. Soft spots could mean that your cigar is filled with less tobacco and hard spots could mean you have a plugged cigar, which is harder to smoke. Once you’ve picked out your first cigar, it’s time to light up. Steps to Prepping
Whether you’re smoking alone or your gathered with friends, you’ll need the following to smoke your cigar:A lighter (preferably butane) or wooden matches
Cigar cutter
Ashtray
All cigars have a uniform makeup. The cap or head is the end where you put your mouth. It’s sealed off and needs to be cut. Sometimes you’ll receive a precut cigar at a lounge. But it’s still important to know how to do this step by yourself. You always want to use a specialized cigar cutter when you can. The foot is the side you light. Right before the cap is the filler which is a blend of dried tobacco. Following that is the wrapperwhich is the outside of the cigar and where the cigar gets most of its flavor

[Opinion Owner]

Steps to Lighting
Now don’t choke. A cigar isn’t that hard to light, but it does need to be done correctly. Follow these steps and you don’t have to worry about looking foolish. 1) Cut your cigar with a cutter. Slice 1/8th of an inch of the cap. 2) Tilt your cigar and toast the foot by letting your tobacco heat up before lighting. 3) Spark your lighter. With your cigar in your mouth, puff and begin to rotate it around the flame without it actually touching the cigar. You can also rotate the light in a circular motion if you’re using a traditional cigar butane lighter. 4) Keep your lighter on hand. Blow on it gently to even it out until the entire end is red hot and glowing evenly. 5) Smoke without inhaling. Take a puff once or twice every minute. 6) Tap gently on your ashtray. Don’t smash it directly down as this can extinguish the light. Each one of these steps is crucial in the process of smoking your cigar. The initial cut provides a passageway for the tobacco and smoke to flow. Cutting it correctly stops the cigar from unraveling and also makes sure no tobacco leaves end up in your mouth. A great cigar cutter is an invaluable asset. Usually a straight cut with a guillotine cutter is your best option and most common way to do so. An even light will keep your cigar burning and allow for you to taste the wide range of flavors. It’s recommended not to inhale cigar smoke.

[NathanDavis]

expect to..

1... look ridiculous
2... stink and smell like death
3... nasty diseases

[Anonymous]

Take your time and don't smoke it quickly

[Anonymous]

Lung cancer