When people debate the question of whether or not a cigar should be smoked fully or just halfway, they’re really debating whether or not there is something inherently bad about a half-smoked cigar. Whether or not a cigar is bad or good depends upon the tobacco and the wrap, not upon how much of it has been smoked.

Is this true or not? The question is bandied about an awful lot, perhaps more than is truly merited. It’s more of an academic question, really. The real answer is, of course, that smokers should smoke however much of their cigar they desire and, if someone objects, that person can smoke their own cigars halfway if they so choose. There are various reasons why this debate endures.

The taste of the cigar changes because tar builds up in the tobacco as one puffs through it. This is unavoidable. It’s not that the tobacco is any different from one end of the cigar to the other, it’s simply that the byproducts of combustion inevitably build up and affect the flavor. Many individuals find this change in taste quite enjoyable and, as one gets more used to the flavor of the cigar, one also gets more “bite” off of each puff which makes it enjoyable from start to finish.

Of course, as one smokes more tobacco their taste buds become desensitized to the flavor at the same time. This is part of the reason a relit cigar tastes strong during the first few puffs. Not only is the tobacco possessed of a higher tar content, the individual has presumably not smoked in a while and their sensitivity to the taste of the tobacco has returned. There are ways to mitigate this change in flavor when relighting but, when smoking a cigar straight though it is essentially inevitable.

Fine cigars are not cheap and their price is justified in the quality of their tobacco and in the technique used in wrapping the leaves. Saying that one should smoke only half of a cigar is akin to saying one should only eat half of a gourmet chicken because the taste of the meat changes slightly as one approaches the bone. It is a matter of preference and little more. Some individuals will find that the cigar becomes too strong for their taste toward the end and, in these cases, it is preferable to change brands rather than to waste fully half of a gourmet cigar. There are many mild brands on the market from which to choose.

Brian is a business consultant for an online butane lighter store and has expert knowledge of triple flame torch lighters.