Is there a right or wrong way?

[ValeTudoGuy]

I'm pretty sure Butters smokes certain cigars backwards..... For reasons only he can fathom,

[Niela]

But a wrong way to smoke? Frankly, you can smoke it backwards if you want and light the foot, it'll still smoke. It's a hobby - do it the way you want and the way that gives you the most enjoyment.

Yep, I agree with that. But for me the retrohale made me enjoy a cigar even more than I did before. So while it's surly not wrong to smoke it another way, it would always be a practice I'd recommend to others.

[EarwaxUK]

I also tend to retrohale (although I hate that word). In my experience it's easier for cigarette smokers (or former smokers) as they're likely to have done it with cigarettes before.

To proffer an opinion to the OPs initial question, I don't think there is a "wrong way". I've seen lots of relatively pompous advice on the internet about whether or not you should take the band off the cigar, about whether you should let the ash drop or not, about inhaling and retrohaling, about when and where and why and how you smoke. But the one thing that seems to get lost in all that is the enjoyment of a good cigar.

I've seen a thousand (slight hyperbole for you there) youtube videos about how you light a cigar "the right way" and, more specifically, how not to light a cigar. I've even seen people referring to Zino Davidoff's rules on etiquette and telling us to only smoke a cigar halfway down, never ask for a light from another cigar smoker, not smoking while walking etc.

But a wrong way to smoke? Frankly, you can smoke it backwards if you want and light the foot, it'll still smoke. It's a hobby - do it the way you want and the way that gives you the most enjoyment.

[RobBooth]

I tend to exhale the bulk of smoke before retrohaling the last little bit.

[cj121]

That made me wonder, and I think I'm the other way around: I tend to retrohale before the main exhale. I think

[Niela]

It took me a few cigars to be able to retrohale, it gets better with time...

Try to exhale 4/5th of the smoke before you exhale the rest through the nose, that helps... :-)

[tippexx]

I'm not great at retrohale, but Monk is correct an older cigar will have dissipated most of it's nicotine and ammonias leaving just the better and mellower profile tastes. For retro I find a smaller lighter draw is better, it's easier to expel through the nose if you don't totally fill your mouth with smoke .... which you really shouldn't be doing anyway.

[Scott]

I don't retrohale, it doesn't really agree with me! if you look at all the so called experts or watch a video on youtube then it's highly recommended.

Not for me thanks.

[Niela]

I would also say that inhaling cigar smoke is far more toxic than cigarette smoke. Because cigars burn at a lower temperature, which makes for a smoke that has far more toxic components as cigarettes. Even without all the chemicals you find in cigarettes.

But everyone to their own. If you enjoy inhalation, then that's fine of course. But if you only do it to ease your cigarette withdrawal, then rather try retrohaling and spare your lungs a bit. :-)

[monkey66]

Retrohaling will open up all sorts of flavours but can be horrible on young and strong cigars.

On subtle and vintage cigars it can be an absolute revelation.

[Niela]

Retrohale definitely adds to the flavour of a cigar. Everybody should give it a try... :-D

[Paulie2876]

I'm an ex ciggy smoker too but just cannot inhale or retrohale either. On the odd occasion a puff has slipped in and I end up doubled up

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[smokey joe]

Sounds painful [emoji16]

LOL

it's an elaborate name for blowing smoke out your nose without inhaling it 1st

Like some I inhale small amounts in various ways including the Irish waterfall technique.

If the cigar is very strong it can knock me on my are though!




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[Budgie Smuggler]

Is there a right or wrong way?

I dislike retrohaling as well; it's never smooth enough that I enjoy it and the "aftertaste" reminds me of when I smoke cigarettes


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[ValeTudoGuy]

I dislike retrohaling. I indeed find it painful and have never struggled for flavours without it.

The handful of times i have managed it didnt really think it offered anything of benefit.