Do you Inhale Cigar Smoke | Beginners Cigar Guide

Do you inhale cigars? It's one of the first questions every new smoker asks, and the answer might surprise you. I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and the short version is: no, you generally don't inhale cigars. In this guide I'll explain why, how cigars differ from cigarettes, what the retrohale is, and the right way to actually taste a cigar. Let's clear it up.

Do You Inhale Cigars? The Short Answer

For the most part, no. You don't inhale cigars into your lungs. Instead, you draw the smoke into your mouth, savor the flavor, and blow it back out. That's it. Some people do inhale a little if they want to, and that's their choice. But most seasoned cigar smokers don't. I don't either. Honestly, I don't want to be coughing all day. Cigars just aren't made to be inhaled like cigarettes.

Why Cigars Are Different from Cigarettes

So do you inhale cigars the way you inhale a cigarette? Not at all. Cigars and cigarettes are two completely different things. A cigarette is built to be inhaled for a quick nicotine hit. A cigar is built to be savored. The whole point is to slow down, relax, and enjoy the flavors. It's not about a buzz. Cigar tobacco is also fuller and stronger, so pulling it into your lungs would be harsh and unpleasant. That's why the culture around cigars is about taking your time, not rushing through one. Once you stop trying to inhale, the whole experience makes a lot more sense.

How to Actually Taste a Cigar

If you're not inhaling, how do you get the flavor? You taste it in your mouth. Draw the smoke in slowly, let it roll over your tongue, and then release it. Take your time between puffs so the cigar doesn't overheat and turn bitter. Your tongue only picks up a few basic tastes, though: sweet, sour, salty, bitter. To get the full picture, you need your nose. That's where the retrohale comes in.

The Retrohale: The Real Secret to Flavor

Ever seen someone slowly let smoke drift out of their nose? That's the retrohale, and it's not inhaling. The smoke never goes to your lungs. It just passes up behind your palate and out your nose. That's how you catch the layered aromas that make premium cigars special. Once you get the hang of it, you'll taste far more than you ever did with your mouth alone. If you're still learning flavors, our guide on what cigars taste like pairs perfectly with this.

What About the French Inhale?

You might see someone do a French inhale, letting smoke rise from the mouth and drawing it up through the nose. It looks cool, but honestly, you don't see it much in cigar culture. Most smokers just puff and retrohale. So when people ask "do you inhale cigars," the honest answer is that almost nobody truly inhales a cigar into their lungs. So don't feel like you're doing it wrong if you keep it simple: draw, taste, release, and retrohale now and then.

The Bottom Line

So, do you inhale cigars? No, and you don't need to. Draw the smoke into your mouth, enjoy the flavor, and let it go. Add a retrohale to unlock the aromas, and take your time. That's the whole art of it. Once you drop the urge to inhale, cigars become exactly what they're meant to be: a slow, flavorful way to relax.

What If You Accidentally Inhale?

It happens to almost everyone at first. You take too big a draw, some smoke slips down, and you cough. No big deal, just slow down. Take smaller puffs and let the smoke sit in your mouth. Sip some water between draws to keep your palate fresh. With a little practice, keeping the smoke in your mouth becomes second nature.

Tips for New Cigar Smokers

A few simple habits make your first cigars far more enjoyable. Start with a mild, smooth cigar so it's easy on the palate. Cut the cap cleanly and toast the foot slowly before you draw. Puff about once a minute, no more, so the cigar doesn't overheat. And pair it with a good drink, coffee, water, or a light spirit. Take your time, and let the flavors come to you.

Watch: Do You Inhale Cigars?

Here's the full Mondays with Mardo episode where I answer this question: