Cigar discipline - timing between puffs

[Stanislaw]

We all have our ways. We all have smoked enough to know that the choices we make on the when/where/how's of enjoying a cigar can affect the overall experience. How disciplined are we really though?

I decided to have a little fun with my evening smoke and I set a stopwatch up and for the fun of it, I began timing how many seconds would tick off before I'd go for the next puff. I'll share my results but I'd love to see if anyone else gives it a try and if so please share if you had any noticeable differences in how the cigar smoked for you.

i decided on a Bond Roberts Petit 109 because for me right now that cigar just gives me a lot of what I want in a smoke and they always (so far) smoke like a well aged Cuban I remember from back in the late 90's. Upon first lighting the cigar I was taking a puff about every 45 seconds. I then tried to resist the temptation for a minute and a half and found the cigar was more pleasant, less hot and the smoke more flavorful. As the ash made its way closer and closer I continued to smoke around 1:30 and the result was the same for me: more flavor, better deeper flavorful smoke. I didn't have the discipline to consistently hold out for the entire minute and a half but soon I began to realize I wasn't rushing the cigar, I was genuinely relaxing. It had a greater affect as I got close to nubbing the cigar, waiting until it seemed as if the cigar out go out, then taking a good pull and getting a ton of soft, juicy smoke.  

I also averaged out how many seconds I'd puff the cigar for and it turned out to be just under five seconds.

Anyone else want to give this a try and weigh in? I'd love to hear your thoughts on as it's something I've always been fascinated about but sadly I lack discipline 😜

[zacca]

Generally I’m pretty good about it, but I’ve tried to be more aware of it. Like you it’s tough to maintain discipline sometimes.

If it’s really good, you want more of it. But other times, if I’m dealing with a somewhat firm draw and the smoke output is really thin, I’ll keep going at it more frequently in attempt to get it going or get some flavors out.

[Li Bai]

To me, smoking cigars is about letting go so I don't bring discipline into it.

Well tbh, I don't anymore, when I started I averaged 1ppm (puff per minute) as Zino advised and I'm probably still there today 🤔

[MrBirdman]

I think that drilling yourself with a clock early on can be helpful. Yes, it adds tedium to the experience, but it helped me get a sense of the right pace after years of smoking too quickly. After a month or two I no longer needed it. Once you expedience the flavor benefits of slowing down, you will be much more inclined to put effort into smoking that way. 

[Ford2112]

I smoke on the slow side of things. Took a little practice. It depends on the cigar. 

[griller]

5 hours ago, Li Bai said:

To me, smoking cigars is about letting go so I don't bring discipline into it.

Well tbh, I don't anymore, when I started I averaged 1ppm (puff per minute) as Zino advised and I'm probably still there today 🤔

This is me 100%. I'm probably a 1ppm as well but do try to consciously slow down on the cigars that are delivering nuance & complexity. Part of the problem I run into has to do with my obsession with the burn line. I try to avoid using the torch for touch ups when there is an uneven burn, so sometimes I tend to draw more frequently in an effort to keep all the wrapper lit throughout the smoking experience.

[Gemini_Man]

I dont pay much attention to the cadence at which I'm smoking until I get to the last 3rd. Then I *try* to slow it down to keep it from getting hot.

I do often vary the strength and depth of my pull/puff however. Sometimes a double or triple puff followed a minute later by a single very soft puff... those last soft pulls tend to be the most flavorful for me.

[ha_banos]

I think I'm the same. Pretty random until I notice some heat then slow down. But I find I pretty much always double puff. Short first, couple seconds the second. If I have to touch up. Give it a moment and purge. 

Pretty slow smoker.

[Havanaaddict]

I am really bad at the slow smoking, I probably take a puff under 30 sec. I usually never set my cigar down in the ashtray 😳 I will smoke a DC in less than a hour!  The only time I really slow down is when I am smoking something special from the 70's / 80's. 

[Jerryvonkramer]

I’m definitely closer to 2-3ppm than 1ppm.

[Chibearsv]

I have no clue about my pacing. Don't want one either. 

[MC4]

I smoke like a chimney, but when I try to do 1ppm, it's like smoking a whole different cigar, much better cigar.

[Duder]

I smoke VERY slowly. I find it more enjoyable. In fact, I purge often to keep from having my cigar go out between puffs. I’m easily over 2 minutes between puffs most of the time. A Robustos typically lasts me 2 hours. 

[qs210]

I tend to smoke on the faster side, mainly due to child related time constraints. Have to get a smoke in where I can.

[Ruggerpgh99]

I have been on the slower side smoking generally, so I haven't found a need to do this. I have had a few cigars that taught me to be incredibly patient (Warped Devils Hands in particular) to really allow the flavors to be developed. Usually I like to let the cigar tell me how it wants to be smoked, some can get away with a higher pace but that usually isn't a problem for me. 

[Stanislaw]

I'm realizing that the very experience of cigar smoking is best done in a slow and appreciative way - something I appreciate as I get older 😂

Of course, sometimes I can't help myself and smoke cigars while multi-tasking:

[ElLoboLoco]

On 9/18/2025 at 6:11 PM, Lucas Buck said:

I smoke VERY slowly. I find it more enjoyable. In fact, I purge often to keep from having my cigar go out between puffs. I’m easily over 2 minutes between puffs most of the time. A Robustos typically lasts me 2 hours. 

This is an eye opener, I started timing myself and I puff like a freight train. Say every 30 seconds. 😅

I am shooting for 1 min and it feels like an eternity but is making for a much more relaxed experience.

[teamrandr]

Both.

[SignalJoe]

In my experience the cigar will dictate how it should be smoked. A slightly underfilled cigar demands slow smoking so as to not be harsh. A cigar at a higher humidity point will demand that you smoke a little faster to keep it burning. Other than those circumstances the flavor variations and heat dictates how often and how long each puff should be. 

At least that has been my experience.   

[Stanislaw]

18 hours ago, SignalJoe said:

In my experience the cigar will dictate how it should be smoked. A slightly underfilled cigar demands slow smoking so as to not be harsh. A cigar at a higher humidity point will demand that you smoke a little faster to keep it burning. Other than those circumstances the flavor variations and heat dictates how often and how long each puff should be. 

At least that has been my experience.   

That's fascinating and I agree...recently I've been allowing my cigars to dry out a little ("dry boxing") which must be why I am able to let them sit between puffs longer than say, if I pulled a stick straight out of the humidor.  

Excellent perspective and observation 😉

[Habanoschris]

Yes it really does make the experience much better for me. I usually smoke slowly but sometimes i have to remind myself to slow down.  

And I agree that a cigar can tell you how to smoke it.