They way you hold your cigar is like a personal statement to the world. So you mastered the how to cut a cigar, light a cigar and smoke a cigar. Now you’re unsure of how to hold a cigar in the best way.
There are many different ways in which you can hold your cigar. However you hold it is going to change your smoking experience. Let’s cover the how to and how not to hold your cigars in the following post.
How To Hold A Cigar
How you hold your cigar is going say a lot about you as a person and your style. The most simplistic and effective grip is that between your index finger and thumb.
Allowing enough pressure to hold the cigar together. Between the index finger and thumb is also the safest place for it.
A very interesting study was conducted linking cigar holding styles and personality types. There are many holding styles to choose from, so have a go and see what feels comfortable.
At Cigar Cigar our personal favourites are what we refer to as the Boss grip and Respectful grip.
Boss Grip – As depicted in the top right image. To us this grip exudes power and confidence. Chances are you like your cigars with a ring gauge larger than 50.
Respectful Grip – As illustrated in the first image of the second row. Cigars demand the respect the deserve. Think about the hours and hard work getting the cigar into your hands from seek to stick.
By holding the cigar with just enough pressure between the thumb and middle fingers to show your reverence and respect.
This gives you the chance to admire the handy work as you sit back and enjoy your smoking experience. Cigar aficionados will agree- this is the best way to admire the majesty of your cigars.
In 1967 a Swiss tobacconist published an essay outlining the rules of cigar etiquette. In which he calls cigar aficionados to follow rules such as:
- Smoke the cigar to only halfway.
- Let it burn itself out.
- Never ask another smoker for a light.
- Do not smoke and walk.
- Never re-light a cigar that is more than two thirds smoked.
The essay is quite an interesting read although here at Cigar Cigar we can’t say we follow the rules.
How Not to Hold A Cigar
Possibly the biggest and most insulting way to hold your cigar is like a cigarette. Why? A cigar demands the respect that it needs.
Holding it like a cigarette is one way to potentially ruin your smoking experience. How? Your cigar is much larger than a cigarette, if unsupported there is the risk of dropping it or having it ash prematurely.
So again, do not hold your cigar between your index and middle finger like a cigarette.
As long as you aren’t holding your cigar like a cigarette it all comes down to comfort and how you want it to represent your style. The very interesting study showing how you hold your cigar says about you gives plenty of grips to try out. There are many ways for how to hold your cigar, try a few out and do with what feels best. As long as you avoid dropping it your smoking experience is going to be an enjoyable one.