If you’ve recently dipped your toe into the wonderful world of cigars – or you may be considering doing so – we wish to impart some useful insider information that can be employed to have you fully prepared for whenever an impromptu cigar experience may suddenly present itself. As for you intermediate and seasoned veterans of the hobby, we think you’ll find this piece informative as well, as there are just so many different ways of doing things amongst the Brothers Of The Leaf.

Though cigar smokers are certainly diverse in their tastes and habits, they all share a common bond over one thing: the love of a fine cigar. As social media such as Instagram will point out, men seem to exist who range from those who have a cigar every now and then, to those who appear to smoke upwards of 10-12 sticks on any given day.

You likely fall somewhere in between.

A great cigar experience can present itself at almost any given time, whether planned or entirely spontaneous. The key is to be prepared with the right tools. A few popular activities where a gentleman might enjoy a cigar include golfing, BBQing, fishing, boating, distillery/brewery/winery touring, at family reunions, camping, watching little league baseball, during an extended dog walk, watching Sunday football, at a picnic…the list of opportune cigar moments is practically endless. To enjoy a cigar at any such occasion, a gentleman must have: A. a good cigar, and, B. a few essential tools to help facilitate an enjoyable smoke. Let’s begin with the most important part of the equation – a good cigar.

For more on choosing a cigar 101, click here.

Cigars, Humidor and Portable Case: Check

Having a good cigar ready to smoke is of course, step numero uno. Having a cigar handy for others who may be present is also to be given some serious consideration, as not every guy is as prepared as you when it comes to cigars. This generally begins with a quality home humidor (aka, ‘home base’ for your supply) that you can properly store cigars in and draw from, time and time again. To set up or ‘condition’ a humidor, you must first wipe down its interior with a distilled water-dampened sponge (leave only this sponge inside for 48 hours afterwards), and can later establish an ongoing environment of 69-72% humidity (depending on the climate of where you live) by adding either humidity paks or humidification gel crystals inside. For many, a good 20-25 cigar humidor works perfectly in conjunction with additional smaller ‘travel humidors’ like a waterproof cigar caddy for example, as well as even smaller 2-or-3 cigar holding cases that are usually made of leather and/or Spanish cedar and can be kept on you. Other cigar toting options include cigar and accessory carrying cases (some of these are beautifully constructed of leather and resemble a high-end day planner), cigar with flask combo items (for a quick nip to pair with a great stick), and even single-item cigar tubes.

Various leather goods are great to transport cigars and accessories

As you can see, the options are plentiful when it comes to home and portable cigar storage items. Having a cigar in close proximity at all times is a starting point. As with all tools of the cigar game, convenience is of great importance, and many of these cigar storing devices can also contain spaces to house your necessary cutters, lighters and other key cigar tools as well when you’re out and about.

Cigar Cutter: Check

Having a cigar and no available cutter is less than ideal. A resourceful guy can no doubt MacGuyver a pocket knife, a kitchen knife or even sharp household scissors to attempt a makeshift cut, but all of these run a greater risk of making a potentially flawed cut on your beautiful cigar, which can impact its enjoyment.

Multipurpose Cigar Cutter

There are numerous cigar cases that all have compartments for storing a cutter or two. Having a classic guillotine cutter is essential, and potentially having a v-cutter on hand at all times is a great idea too. These are your two most popular cutter options. In addition to this, I recommend having a cigar draw poker as well. This tool can come in handy when you have a plugged cigar that is not drawing smoothly. Other cutter options include special cigar scissors or a cigar punch cut, which are frequently made to be attached to a keychain, or are are often incorporated as a component of many butane cigar lighters.

For more on cigar cutting 101, click here.

Cigar Lighter: Check

When it comes to lighting your cigar, really only 2 things will do: wooden matches or a butane lighter. There is something rather rewarding when choosing to go full old school with wooden matches to light your cigar. It may take a match or two to get it done, but it’s well worth it. You can even light a cedar cigar spill (often used to package a cigar in) to light your cigar from. However, when it comes to convenience and performance, nothing tops a torch butane lighter. I generally carry two lighters with me incase one ends up low on butane. In colder weather outdoors, it’s best to keep your lighter closer to your body to prevent it from getting cold and not igniting. As a guy who spends a lot of time tailgating at Buffalo Bills football games (where temperatures can get damn cold), TGF Cigar Guru Taylor Matthew recommends keeping a pair of Hothands handwarmer packets in your coat pockets, which serve to simultaneously keep both your hands and your lighter warm and ready for use.

For more on cigar lighting 101, click here.

Cigar Stand and Ashtray: Check

Handy cigar holder for the golf course

Once lit and nicely burning, you’ll need to intermittently rest your cigar. Sometimes you may be without an ashtray. There are a series of portable cigar stands that will keep your cigar propped up and off of the surface of a table, a ledge, the ground, etc., allowing you to grow out a nice long ash. Don’t tap that off ash – it’s not a cigarette. Don’t be afraid to let it grow. There are even clips that attach to a golf cart and hold your cigar. Foldable and solid object cigar stands are generally small and stow away almost anywhere. Like a few cigar draw pokers and punch cutters, some are even made to be conveniently stored on your keychain. As for ashtrays, there are numerous relatively small single or double cigar ashtrays that can be kept in a portable cigar and accessories case ready for use.

…And Now You’re Ready To Smoke

As previously mentioned, a great opportunity to enjoy a great cigar can spring up at any time. Preparedness for such a wonderful occasion is key. Having an ongoing portable setup consisting of properly cared for cigars and the right cigar accessories will have you ready to light up at the drop of an ash.

– Kurt Bradley