Cigar Weather: What conditions are make or break?

[LizardGizmo]

I have long debated the merits of outdoor smoking, especially as the weather improves into the late spring and summer months here in the US.

I am certainly in the minority with my belief that outdoor smoking is almost totally inferior. I like air conditioning, controlled wind and humidity environments and fat comfy chairs...a more civilized experience suits a great cigar, IMHO.

Almost every other person I discuss this with thinks I'm an absolute lunatic - and will choose outdoor smoking nearly 100% of the time, given the conditions that suit them. I'll join friends in a backyard or around a fire, but - when alone - I almost always choose to smoke indoors.

With that being said, what outdoor conditions are make or break for your outdoor smoking experience? Maybe the greater FOH community can change my mind on this one.

 

[DrinkSmokeGolf]

I probably prefer indoor as well as long as the ventilation is good. I find I can zone in on the flavors better. The same cigar outside can feel more muted in my experience.

That being said, I'm lucky to live in SoCal and enjoy smoking out by my pool. It's not usually windy and I find it peaceful. Thanks for the recommendation on the Espiritu No. 3. Delicious smoke!

[HarveyBoulevard]

I am a 100% outdoor smoker. I live in SoCal, specifically in the Inland Empire. It gets into the 40's F at night during the winter and 110's F during the day in the summer.  We have days of severe winds at times. I have a heater for when it is cold. I have a pool for when it is hot. Most days are just right, between 60-80 degrees F with a light breeze. I don't think I have ever encountered weather that prevented me from smoking a cigar. Some days may be more pleasant than others but never a full stop. I actually dislike smoking indoors.

[chasy]

I tend to want what I can't have. In Chicago, winters I just want to be outside. During Chicago summers, I want an air conditioned room.

[Montezüma]

Winter in Dubai, Autumn in Amsterdam, Spring in LA, Summer in Bali with that beautiful winter breeze sweeping from down-under. I've never been to Africa but planning to try Morocco this year!

[Dadof3]

As long as it isn’t below 50 degrees Fahrenheit I can enjoy my covered porch in the back and it’s great. 

[Christophe]

I've smoked in my solarium on a few occasions, with three giant sliding glass doors open, and you still smelled smoke in the house. So indoors is simply a no-go, unless I want to drive at least 45 minutes to a lounge (and to be honest, the ventilation in that one leaves a bit to be desired). My default choice is my own backyard or covered back porch, provided it's over say 10°C. This definitely affects my cigar consumption. Now it's easily 1/day, in the winter 1/week. I enjoy cigars by the fire, but I like them more in the regular warmth provided by the Sun in late spring/summer/early fall. 

We still have an old-school smoking room in the office, and people are rarely in my office, so I've done a fair amount of short smokes during work there. 

[Boxer31]

Prefer outside on deck (and not because wife says so) at least until it gets too cold. 

[Chibearsv]

If I was reviewing cigars regularly for public posting, I’d want to be indoors, I get it. I smoke cigars and usually don’t need the details of flavor notes. I just need to enjoy my cigar. For that, I’m outdoors unless I need to be in the garage due to excessive cold, rain, or wind. I’ve found cigar lounges near me to be boring. 

[Duder]

I love smoking outdoors. On my deck anywhere between 55°F to 75°F. In front of my solo stove down to 45°F. In my jacuzzi down to as low as 40°F though not ideal. Caveats are lots of wind or rain more than a drizzle. I used to golf and always had a cigar accompanying. Back in the glory days I would smoke at outdoor concerts, festivals, parks etc. For years I would go to one of the local parks after work, light up and read. Still there is nothing quite like a controlled indoor environment so my man cave is where I smoke the majority of my cigars with nice comfy A/C & Heat. When you live up here in gods country where it’s uncomfortably cold to dangerously cold half the year, indoors is essential. I also never miss an opportunity to smoke in a lounge or casino which are about the last havens for smokers. Smoking in my car is also great. I will almost always choose outdoors first if conditions are tolerable. Fresh air, a nice breeze and the sounds/sights of nature. What’s not to love?

[ElLoboLoco]

I am soldiering through. Not overly uncommon in South Carolina in the summer. I am golfing Sunday. Hopefully I don’t die. Lol

[El Presidente]

God made Brisbane so one can enjoy a cigar outdoors. 

The weather is literally near perfect 90% of the time.  

Easy to set up, easy to clean up, no need to worry about ventillation. You can watch the world go by, have a laugh with a dozen mates. 

You can enjoy your finest cigar while in your jocks. Generally not at the same time when your mates are around. 

Yes, you may lose a little of that OCD enviromental control. Let it go George!  Pick a cigar, grab a bottle of rum,  change into your jocks, and grab a banjo like the rest of us. 

[JDoughty]

It's 101°F in Raleigh. Sweat is not a good flavor additive to cigars, so indoors for me. 

[JPark3]

I like being outside with the dogs and fresh air, plus I can't smoke in the house, so it all works out. If it's in the winter, I may go to a lounge, but I work inside so I need to touch grass at some point during the day. Even if it is 90-100°F right now.

[Ford2112]

It's almost always windy where I live. I smoke in my bus 99% of the time. Rain, shine, hot, cold, whatever!

[Nohiba]

We have a baby at home so I’m only permitted to smoke in a guest room en-suite with a small window. Even then, the smoke leaves the guest room smelling like an ashtray for a little while. My preferred spot is outdoors on the balcony, but the Shanghai rainy season is making it tough. Not as hot as the west right now, but up to 85% humidity makes the last half of any cigar a spongy and overly oily affair which diminishes the taste by a significant amount. 

[ReelMan]

The Pacific Northwest of the US offers a spring/summer of outdoor smoking in reasonably warm conditions. I have never had the opportunity of having a cigar indoors, so I don't know that there is a difference between outdoor and indoor.

I will say that, when I smoke with another Brother, it doesn't seem to be an issue; collegial smoking works, regardless.

[zacca]

Wind and rain are the only things that hold me back. Smoked while snow blowing in Feb when it was below zero. Smoked today at 102°F with a heat index of 116°F doing some yard work. 

It’s like they say in sports, the best ability is availability. For every time I can get to my club’s indoor lounge, I can have 50 cigars outside on my patio or in my yard. 

[JDoughty]

7 hours ago, Nohiba said:

We have a baby at home so I’m only permitted to smoke in a guest room en-suite with a small window. Even then, the smoke leaves the guest room smelling like an ashtray for a little while. My preferred spot is outdoors on the balcony, but the Shanghai rainy season is making it tough. Not as hot as the west right now, but up to 85% humidity makes the last half of any cigar a spongy and overly oily affair which diminishes the taste by a significant amount. 

I swear by Rabbit Air purifiers. They do a very good job of cleaning up after cigar smoke. One caveat though, if you ever break your remote and are hunting online for a replacement, typing "Rabbit Air Remote" with images on is not a great idea. I found out the hard way that there is another company called Rabbit that makes remote controlled, er, novelty items. Spouse walked in just then and I had to explain that I was only looking for cigar stuff, really. 😏

[joeypots]

I can get sunburned walking by a lightbulb so I'm mindful of the sun. And I do not do well in heat and humidity. Cigars indoors, outdoors , it's all ok but I'd rather be indoors unless I'm with friends. I find the flavor of the cigar is more intense indoors because the smoke that comes off of the cigar contribute to the overall experience of it. Especially if it's a very good one.

[ha_banos]

Weather's often enough shyte in the UK. I like the outdoors. I'll take my garden, pub garden, cafe sidewalk, occasionally even a park bench, the beach (abroad of course), waterside pub, covered cigar terrace. Some terraces are also heated which helps at times. Yes of course if its too windy or wet or cold ... or hot even as this June we hit 37°C. Sampling rooms can have too much aircon/ventilation fans so there's a balance there too. But any sampling rooms are a long way from home and of course I cant smoke my own, so the cost factors in too. I now mostly reserve any sampling indoors to tasting events. Much prefer being outside fortunately! If I had dedicated indoor smoking space at home, it would likely only be used in bad weather anyways.

I retrohale to get the smoke nose thing. Breathing in too much smoke from indoors can get intense. Also when out a light breeze is constantly wafting smoke back up into my face/eyes  this can be a bit annoying.

[Capn_Jackson]

If given the chance to smoke indoors or out, I’m probably choosing indoor. However, I can’t do that at my house, and so part of the convenience is gone right there. I do like to smoke outside, though, and if the weather is low to no wind, 60-65° Fahrenheit, I’m gonna pick it every time. However, I live in Ft Worth, so those conditions exist maybe two days a year.

All that said, I have sat and sweat outside in 100° Fahrenheit and higher many times, with some great smokes. I have also, a couple of times, endured 0° (yes, Fahrenheit) for a smoke when I could not drive anywhere because Dallas-Fort Worth was a frozen wasteland. Mainly did that just so I could say I did it, but the cigar was phenomenal both times.

[Dadof3]

7 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

If given the chance to smoke indoors or out, I’m probably choosing indoor. However, I can’t do that at my house, and so part of the convenience is gone right there. I do like to smoke outside, though, and if the weather is low to no wind, 60-65° Fahrenheit, I’m gonna pick it every time. However, I live in Ft Worth, so those conditions exist maybe two days a year.

All that said, I have sat and sweat outside in 100° Fahrenheit and higher many times, with some great smokes. I have also, a couple of times, endured 0° (yes, Fahrenheit) for a smoke when I could not drive anywhere because Dallas-Fort Worth was a frozen wasteland. Mainly did that just so I could say I did it, but the cigar was phenomenal both times

You are a tough and hearty soul. I could brave the heat in the evening but no way I could enjoy a cigar close to freezing let alone below freezing.  

[Capn_Jackson]

1 hour ago, Dadof3 said:

You are a tough and hearty soul.  I could brave the heat in the evening but no way I could enjoy a cigar close to freezing let alone below freezing.  

It took fortitude, that’s for sure. That and really, really wanting a cigar!

[Cigar Surgeon]