Top 5 Tips & Tricks Every Cigar Smoker Should Know

Whether you're just lighting your first stick or you're deep into the ritual, every cigar lover knows there's always more to learn. From enhancing flavour to troubleshooting common issues, these five tried-and-true cigar tips and tricks will elevate your smoking experience and keep your cigars burning smooth.

1. Gently Squeeze to Stop Tunnelling

Tunnelling is every cigar smoker’s frustration—it’s when the filler burns faster than the wrapper, leaving a deep hollow tunnel in the middle of your cigar. One simple fix? Give your cigar a gentle squeeze.

As soon as you notice the wrapper lagging behind, softly press the burning end between your fingers (carefully—not enough to crack the wrapper) for a second or two. This redistributes heat and airflow, encouraging the wrapper and filler to burn more evenly. Think of it like guiding the cigar back on track.

🔥 Pro Tip: Often I test my cigar by gently squeezing just behind the burn line; if there is a soft-spot; then I will rotate the cigar while gently squeezing it to find the worst spot/side.

From there I maintain pressure while smoking the cigar and in most cases this stops the tunneling issue and the remainder of the cigar will burn perfectly.

2. Rotate Your Cigar While Smoking

Cigars naturally burn unevenly due to gravity and airflow. You can fix this by rotating your cigar as you smoke. Holding the slower-burning side down helps the heat travel to that area, which promotes an even burn.

A simple quarter-turn every few puffs is usually enough to stay on top of this. You’ll end up with a beautiful, even ash—and less relighting.

3. Cut Conservatively

When cutting a cigar, less is more. A common mistake is cutting off too much of the cap, which can unravel the cigar or cause it to fall apart while smoking.

Use a sharp cutter and aim to remove just the rounded shoulder of the cap—about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. You can always cut more if needed, but you can’t put it back.

✂️ Tip: If you’re using a V-cutter or punch, this is less of an issue, but still aim for precision over aggression.

Also a blunt V-cutter or punch will destroy your cigar; make sure your cutters are sharp.

4. Store Cigars Like a Pro

Even the best cigar will disappoint if it’s too dry or too wet. Ideal storage conditions are around 64-68% humidity and 18–21°C (65–70°F). Use a proper humidor, and don’t overcrowd it—airflow is key.

Not ready for a full humidor setup? A quality Boveda humidity pack and a sealed container (like a Tupperware or travel humidor) can work wonders for short-term storage.

🪵 Bonus: Cigars purchased from CANTEROS.nz are generally shipped overnight, in a sealed Ziplock bag; they are good to go; and will be okay for a max of 2-weeks in that bag.

5. Purge to Refresh the Flavour

If your cigar starts tasting bitter, harsh, or burnt—especially toward the middle—try a purge. Simply blow gently back through the cigar while it’s lit. This clears built-up tars and ammonia from the core, giving your stick a second wind.

Follow up with a few slow puffs, and you’ll often notice the flavour improve dramatically.

💨 Warning: Don’t blow too forcefully—just a light breath through the cigar is enough.

Similarly you can also give your cigar a second cut; this will do wonders to a Toro or Churchill sized vitola in refreshing it.

Final Puff

Cigar smoking is as much an art as it is a pleasure. With these five practical tips, you’ll avoid the most common pitfalls and enjoy smoother, richer, and more even-burning cigars every time.

Have your own cigar trick or ritual? Let us know by emailing us.