The Art of the Draw: How to Light and Smoke a Cigar

Lighting a cigar well is half the pleasure. Start by cutting cleanly just above the cap — a guillotine, punch, or V-cut all work, but don't cut too deep. Toast the foot over a flame without touching it, rotating until the edge glows evenly.

Then draw gently while you finish lighting. The cardinal rule: a cigar is sipped, not inhaled. Pull the smoke into your mouth, savor it, and let it go. Take a puff about once a minute; rushing overheats the tobacco and turns it bitter. Let it rest in the ashtray between draws rather than rolling it.

Don't stub it out like a cigarette — simply set it down and it will go out on its own. A good cigar is an hour's companion, not a quick fix. That hour, slowed down and shared, is exactly what our lounge was built for.