The Five Stages of Becoming a Cigar Smoker

A Journey Every Cigar Smoker Will Recognize

Nobody wakes up one morning as a cigar aficionado. It's a gradual descent — one that starts with curiosity and ends with you reorganizing your humidor at midnight while explaining to your spouse that you "absolutely needed" a 300-count cabinet. Here are the five stages everyone goes through.

Stage 1: The Innocent Bystander

It starts at a wedding, a bachelor party, or a random Tuesday when someone hands you a cigar and says, "Try this."

You don't know how to cut it. You hold the lighter directly on the foot like you're blowtorching a crème brûlée. You inhale the first puff into your lungs and spend the next thirty seconds trying not to cough in front of everyone.

But somewhere between the watery eyes and the dizziness, something clicks. There's a flavor there — cedar, maybe. Or chocolate. You're not sure. But you think about it the next day. And the day after that.

Telltale signs you're in Stage 1:

Stage 2: The Enthusiastic Beginner

You've decided you "like cigars" and visit a smoke shop for the first time on your own. You stare at the humidor like it's a museum. You pick up a cigar, have no idea what you're looking at, and ask the person behind the counter to "recommend something good."

You buy three cigars that are all Connecticuts because someone on the internet told you that's what beginners smoke. You also buy a $4 guillotine cutter and a single-flame torch lighter because you're "getting serious."

Your first solo smoke is on your back patio. You Google "how to light a cigar" mid-session. You take a photo and post it somewhere with a caption about "the finer things."

Telltale signs you're in Stage 2:

Stage 3: The Rabbit Hole

This is where things get dangerous. You've smoked maybe 20-30 cigars and you've discovered that they're all different. You had an Oliva Serie V and it changed everything. You start reading reviews. You learn the words "wrapper," "binder," and "filler." You know the difference between a robusto and a toro.

You buy a humidor. Then you fill it. Then you buy a bigger humidor. You start "cellaring" cigars because someone told you a Padron tastes better after two years of aging and now you have a box of cigars you're not allowed to touch until 2028.

You develop opinions. Strong opinions. About ring gauges. About whether box-pressed is better. About which Arturo Fuente line is the "real" one.

Telltale signs you're in Stage 3:

Stage 4: The Self-Appointed Expert

You've smoked a couple hundred cigars across dozens of brands. You can identify a Habano wrapper by sight. You have a preferred vitola. You've tried (and have opinions about) every major Padron line.

You start recommending cigars to other people. At social gatherings, you gently correct someone's cutting technique and offer to "properly toast" their cigar for them. You bring your own cigars to weddings.

You've joined an online cigar community. You've gotten into at least one argument about whether Cuban cigars are actually better than Nicaraguan cigars. You have a strong take and will share it without being asked.

Telltale signs you're in Stage 4:

Stage 5: Full Aficionado

You've reached equilibrium. You know what you like. You have a rotation of go-to cigars and a stash of special-occasion sticks you're saving for the right moment. You no longer need to prove anything — you just enjoy the smoke.

You've stopped chasing the "best" cigar because you've realized it doesn't exist. The best cigar is the one in your hand, on a good evening, with good company or good silence.

You help beginners without being condescending. You let people enjoy their flavored cigars without judgment. You've learned that the cigar community is better when everyone feels welcome.

You still reorganize your humidor at midnight, though. Some things never change.

Telltale signs you're in Stage 5:

Where Are You on the Journey?

No matter what stage you're in, Cigar and Smoke Shop has you covered. Beginners, our staff will guide you to your first great smoke. Deep in the rabbit hole? Come browse our humidor — we always have something new to discover.

Visit us at Arundel Mills Mall. No judgment, just great cigars.