Indoors vs. Outdoors: Does It Really Change the Cigar?

[Yigal]

I live in Los Angeles, where the weather is almost always perfect for smoking outside. Most of my cigars are enjoyed outdoors on my patio, backyard, or wherever there’s open air and a little breeze.

But here’s something I’ve noticed: the few times I smoke indoors (maybe 2% of the time, usually in a cigar lounge), the flavors seem to hit differently. The cigar feels fuller, more flavorful, like I’m picking up things I might miss outside.

I’m not sure if that’s just because I don’t smoke indoors very often, or if the setting actually makes a difference. Anyone else notice this?

P.S. I did try smoking indoors at home once with a Rabbit Air purifier. Let’s just say… that didn’t work out too well.

[Li Bai]

8 minutes ago, Yigal said:

The cigar feels fuller, more flavorful, like I’m picking up things I might miss outside.

Exactly, it doesn't change the cigar of course but it can have a big impact, the smoke outside can easily feel a bit "diluted".

That being said, in my experience some cigars pass the outdoor test more easily than others like the RyJ Cazadores for example. My two cents...

[El Hoze]

100% for me. But I live on the water in SE Florida where wind and humidity are often a factor. I rarely smoke any of my really good stuff unless I can smoke indoors (cooler months) with the windows/doors open and have complete control over the flow of air. My indoor smoking area is a two story great room and so I can open the doors on the second level but minimize the flow of air on the lower level where I am smoking. I see people smoking cigars on the beach alot. I don’t get it. I find all I can taste is the bitterness, even on a calm day. My crude analogy for smoking cigars on the beach or boat has always been it is like sex in the shower. I have not experienced the synergies. 

[ElLoboLoco]

Not me, unless it’s windy and the cigar burns like crap.

[TheGipper]

The hierarchy of conditions/locations as far as flavor experience, in my opinion:

1. Outdoors, warm temperature (75-90F), high but not extreme humidity (between 45%-70% RH), very calm or no winds

2. Indoors

3. Outdoors any other conditions.

[bmac]

Wind most definitely plays a part in the experience. It's like the wind blows the smoke away from my mouth and nose before I can really taste the cigar.

[Montezüma]

A cigar in the patio amidst tropical rain is just wonderful.

[Redgoldband]

I live in LA too, right beside Sofi. I smoke outside often, but the conditions have to be just right for maximum enjoyment. I find smoking outside works best during the early, early hours in the morning, or late at night. Any kind of wind detracts from the experience.


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[HoyoDC]

On 11/8/2025 at 5:21 AM, Yigal said:

I live in Los Angeles, where the weather is almost always perfect for smoking outside. Most of my cigars are enjoyed outdoors on my patio, backyard, or wherever there’s open air and a little breeze.

But here’s something I’ve noticed: the few times I smoke indoors (maybe 2% of the time, usually in a cigar lounge), the flavors seem to hit differently. The cigar feels fuller, more flavorful, like I’m picking up things I might miss outside.

I’m not sure if that’s just because I don’t smoke indoors very often, or if the setting actually makes a difference. Anyone else notice this?

P.S. I did try smoking indoors at home once with a Rabbit Air purifier. Let’s just say… that didn’t work out too well.

I 100 percent agree. My favorite experience is indoor and at night too. I find early day cigars are not as good. Maybe it is the early day distractions or state of mind. Not sure…

[Lucas Buck]

Always prefer outdoors if conditions are right. Wind is a no go if over 10mph or gusting. Even high humidity won’t deter me although toward the end of a long cigar can get a little mushy. Smoking indoors is my only option (or the car) almost half the year up here in the frosty north but smoking outside on my deck, by my fire pit or in the hot tub is one of life’s great pleasures. 

[M777]

I honestly enjoy both equally, but will avoid windy conditions over 10mph, heat over 85F and anything under 50F (I’m prone to sinus infections in cold weather if outdoors for over 30 mins). I’m usually planning my smoking around weather patterns here in IL which is a total pain. But now that I think of it, some of the best sticks I’ve had have been indoors. Could be a coincidence or maybe you’re on to something op (original poster). 

I haven’t been able to enjoy a cigar indoors in almost 4 years. I’m not much into cigar lounges and basically the only place I could enjoy a cigar indoors was an Indian reservation casino around an hour away from me, sure enough they also banned indoor smoking last year. 

Hopefully before the end of year I’ll be able to smoke indoors with my work in progress cigar room. It sucks being indoors without being able to smoke over the winter months and also in 90+ degree jungle like humid summer nights. 

[Montezüma]

19 hours ago, M777 said:

I’m not much into cigar lounges and basically the only place I could enjoy a cigar indoors was an Indian reservation casino around an hour away from me, sure enough they also banned indoor smoking last year. 

I would love to go to a reservation casino one day. Do they allow foreigners? It would be like a culture trip for a tourist.

On the cigar lounges, I quite like them. Its an opportunity to meet other enthusiasts, which doesn't happen too often and it's different in every city.

[Ford2112]

9 hours ago, Montezüma said:

I would love to go to a reservation casino one day. Do they allow foreigners? It would be like a culture trip for a tourist.

They just want your money. It's like any other Casino . 

[Havanaaddict]

I am the opposite of you, I smoke 90% + percent of the time in my home lounge. I also enjoy smoking a cigar once in while in my car on a longer drive. So about 10% of the time I smoke outside (Large Herfs, smaller get-togethers with friends) And I do live in Orange County with the weather is perfect most all the time. I just find that when I am smoking in my lounge everything is perfect, temp, big soft leather chair everything. You also get to enjoy the smell of the cigar which I also feel is part of the cigar smoking experience.      

[HoyoDC]

23 hours ago, Havanaaddict said:

I am the opposite of you, I smoke 90% + percent of the time in my home lounge. I also enjoy smoking a cigar once in while in my car on a longer drive. So about 10% of the time I smoke outside (Large Herfs, smaller get-togethers with friends) And I do live in Orange County with the weather is perfect most all the time. I just find that when I am smoking in my lounge everything is perfect, temp, big soft leather chair everything. You also get to enjoy the smell of the cigar which I also feel is part of the cigar smoking experience.      

Same for me, I am focused on my cigar, drink and I am calmer more in tune with the cigar with no distractions. I even find smoking on my own to be so much fun and relaxing too.  

[M777]

12 hours ago, Montezüma said:

I would love to go to a reservation casino one day. Do they allow foreigners? It would be like a culture trip for a tourist.

On the cigar lounges, I quite like them. Its an opportunity to meet other enthusiasts, which doesn't happen too often and it's different in every city.

The ones around my area are identical to any other casino, even the staff are not Native American. I’m sure they allow anyone over 21. 

[Redgoldband]

I am the opposite of you, I smoke 90% + percent of the time in my home lounge. I also enjoy smoking a cigar once in while in my car on a longer drive. So about 10% of the time I smoke outside (Large Herfs, smaller get-togethers with friends) And I do live in Orange County with the weather is perfect most all the time. I just find that when I am smoking in my lounge everything is perfect, temp, big soft leather chair everything. You also get to enjoy the smell of the cigar which I also feel is part of the cigar smoking experience.      

Yeh, I tend to agree with you. My preference is the lounge, but I routinely settle for smoking outside my home for what I know will be the lesser experience. As you mentioned, it’s something about the lounge that allows you to key in more on the sensory experience of cigar smoking vs. outside.


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[Ford2112]

I like to be in control of my smoking environment, hence the rolling cigar lounge.

[tbelle7]

For me - the elements, specifically humidity, do change the cigar flavor dramatically. Home in Michigan outdoor smoking is fine (spring, summer and fall). When traveling to southern China and Vietnam, I find smoking outdoors ruins the experience and flavor of the cigar. It's usually too humid to enjoy a 60-90 minute smoke. I avoid humidity and wind. Otherwise, I smoke outside with no issue.

[Fugu]

Different experience for sure. Both with pros and cons. E.g. the room note adds nicely to the overall experience, while outdoors I always feel like my senses are more receptive.

That being said, there’s cigars I exclusively smoke outside.

[ha_banos]

A lot of things change. So many variables. Which changes the experience. I haven't smoked the same cigar enough inside and out consistently to garner info to know a difference. For me it's outside unless I'm in a sampling room generally speaking.

On the whole I prefer out. Likely though because of the overall experience rather than anything it does to the cigar.

Sorry.