5 Steps to Become a Cigar Cognoscente

Or…

Can you be a cigar snob, without being snobby?

In this article, we explore steps you can take to further your passion for premium cigars beyond smoking them while gaining a deeper understanding of the hobby and the cigars themselves. Learn the definition of “cognoscente,” and how to develop expertise in the field of smoking and appreciating cigars; what separates a cigar snob from a cognoscente, and why it’s important to pay it forward.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love good cigars. But being a true cigar expert—what some might call a cigar cognoscente—is more than just enjoying a good smoke. It’s about understanding the craftsmanship, history, and even technical factors that stand behind every puff.

While we all tend to accept the origin story of tobacco – have you ever given any thought to that one dreamer who said, “I wonder what happens if I smoke this.”?

And right behind him or her, the genius who dreamed up the processes that go into making today’s premium handmade cigars: cultivating the crops, and curing the leaves for weeks, months of fermentation, and years of aging. And then comes the rolling of the cigar, followed by the smoking process. Following this is the time you take to select your cigar and inspect it. Then there’s the toasting & lighting process, or as some call it, “the ritual.” Which leads to appraising the flavors and aromas in the cigar. After a few puffs, you reflect on the flavors noted and begin evaluating the experience even further.

These are the things that go into becoming a cigar cognoscente – and while it sounds like a lot, it’s actually pretty easy to learn.

If you’re ready to graduate from ‘Cigar 101’, here’s how to hone your expertise,

What is a cognoscente?

The dictionary say it’s “a person who has expert knowledge in a subject : connoisseur.”

How does that make a cognoscente different from an aficionado?

It’s subtle, but to me, there’s a distinction: an aficionado is a passionate, fervently devoted enthusiast with a more general appreciation; a cognoscente is more focused on developing expert knowledge and understanding.

But regardless, if your goal is aficionado or cognoscente, how do you become an expert at anything? Immerse yourself in the subject matter. Absorb it at a pace that feels comfortable to you.

Some people are all-in, all at once.

Others like to go it slow and steady and learn their way methodically.

Either way works. But take time to soak it ALL in.

Then comes the last part: practice, practice, practice. And with cigars, it’s enjoyable—and rewarding—to practice.

Step 1: Learn about the basics of cigar production

Understanding what makes a premium cigar starts at its very roots—literally. Cigars are the result of a meticulous process that begins long before you light one up. Becoming familiar with cigar production will help you understand why cigars taste like they do.

• Tobacco Cultivation – Different regions excel at producing different tobacco strains, and it’s more than the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Connecticut. The uniqueness of each region’s soils and climates – it’s called terroir – influence flavor profiles, as do the different harvesting methods.
• Curing and Fermentation – These meticulously controlled processes are essential for developing a cigar’s richness. Tobacco leaves are aged for months or even years to bring out their best qualities.
• Rolling Techniques – The quality control that goes into prepping the tobacco leaves for rolling is extensive, with individual leaves being graded and sorted according to appearance, color, and a host of other criteria. After that, the best cigars are hand-rolled by skilled artisans; they’re trained in different rolling methods, such as entubado (a Cuban technique that ensures an even draw). And that’s before we even get to packaging and aging – all very important steps in the process.

Step 2: Practice your smoking technique

To truly appreciate a cigar, there are a few basic steps we all must take to prepare and smoke it. This is “the ritual” I mentioned earlier. And your skills will improve the more you do it, and the more experience you have. Pay attention to little details; even though most make only a little difference, as a cigar cognoscente, you’ll notice - and you’ll see that some little details can change everything.

• Choosing a Cigar – Consider size, based on how much time you have to smoke; take factors like time of day and your mood into account when selecting a blend by power. Larger ring gauges tend to burn cooler, while thinner cigars can be more intense. It’s essential that you learn how to pick the right cigar for you, based on shape and size, in addition to blend and strength. You’ll soon find that you have a preferred ring gauge, or width, that feels right in the hand and mouth. Brand matters, too.
• Cutting the Cigar – Cutting a cigar might seem simple, and it is - but there are several methods you can use to properly pare the head of one’s cigar. There are the standard guillotine cutters, cigar scissors, and cigar punches that come in several shapes. Churchill pierced his cigars, and some people bite them, but cigar cutters exist to serve a purpose that I don’t think is up for argument. Use a straight cut, punch, or V-cut depending on your preference and the cigar’s format. Toast and light the foot, then sit back and celebrate whatever it is you want to celebrate.
• Toasting and Lighting – Use a butane torch, long cedar matches, or cedar spills. A sound tip I learned early is to avoid lighters with lighter fluid, as they can alter the taste. More seasoned cigar connoisseur may prefer to light your cigar with cedar spills (sticks made from the cedar dividers that come in many cigar boxes. Others will only use long wooden cedar matches. Yours truly prefers a butane jet lighter, and that’s perfectly fine.
• Pacing Yourself – Avoid puffing too frequently, as it can overheat the cigar and produce harsh flavors. Slow, deliberate draws allow the tobacco’s natural complexity to shine.

Step 3: Develop Your Palate

Cigar smoking is an art. Don’t believe me? Art makes you feel – and even that $2 daily you burn after dinner makes you feel something. So, when it comes to developing your palate, broadening your horizons with a wider range of smoking experiences is crucial for learning to appreciate complex flavors.

Here’s how to train your taste buds:

• Smoke a Variety of Cigars – Try different wrappers (e.g., Maduro, Connecticut, Corojo) to get a feel for how tobaccos from different regions taste. And while it’s nice to sit back and just enjoy a cigar, actively look to identify tasting notes: leather, cocoa, spice, wood, citrus…this is where your palate will benefit from a cigar flavor wheel, helping you pinpoint certain tastes. Before long, you’ll notice how certain tobaccos have a particularly consistent profile. Try retrohaling: this technique involves exhaling smoke through your nose, and getting more of your senses involved to help you detect more subtle flavors.
• Pair Cigars with Drinks – A well-paired whiskey, rum, or even coffee can enhance a cigar’s nuances. Experiment with pairings to see how flavors interact.
• Keep a Cigar Journal – Jot down your experiences, favorite blends, and tasting notes to refine your preferences over time.
• Engage All Your Senses – Observe the cigar’s construction, feel its texture, inhale its unlit aroma, and listen to the faintly crackling sound of a properly humidified cigar when gently squeezed. A well-made cigar speaks to all the senses before it’s even lit. And I’m not talking about the packaging - just like the old adage goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” – you can’t always judge a cigar by its band or the box. As with many things in life, when it comes to cigars it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Step 4: Understand Cigar Etiquette and Culture

This is probably the closest to where you toe the line between cigar cognoscente and full-blown cigar snob. A true cigar expert doesn’t just know about cigars—they respect the traditions and social aspects of cigar smoking. To the unaccustomed, this healthy respect for etiquette can come off a prim and prudish. Almost snobby. But snobs step over the line and typically come off as flat-out rude about it.

It doesn’t take long to figure out the basics: how to interact with fellow smokers, the art of conversation, and the importance of what not to do - this is all learning-by-doing. Take the time to savor the moment, detach from distractions, and enjoy the experience fully. Time and environment can be significant influences: cigars can change as they age, and the setting in which you smoke affects your experience. A cigar enjoyed on a quiet evening might taste different in a lively social setting.

Cognoscente vs. Cigar Snob: How fine is the line?

A cigar cognoscente is someone who deeply understands and appreciates cigars—their construction, flavors, history, and culture. This person smokes with intention, values craftsmanship, and enjoys sharing knowledge in an inviting, inclusive way. A cognoscente is open to exploration and respects individual preferences, knowing that appreciation is subjective.

A cigar snob, on the other hand, is more focused on exclusivity and status. They may dismiss certain cigars or brands as inferior without real justification, look down on less experienced smokers, or insist that only a narrow selection of cigars is "worthy." Snobs often use their knowledge to assert superiority rather than to enrich the experience of themselves and others.

Short version: snobs focus on exclusivity and status; cognoscenti focus on enjoyment and education.

Striving to be a cognoscente means embracing the full experience of cigar smoking, respecting personal preferences, and pay it forward to help others on their journey. When we teach others, we create more cognoscenti.

Step 5: Enlightenment…now pass on your knowledge

That last part above is the difference-maker: the mark of a true cigar expert – a cognoscente - is sharing what you’ve learned. Whether through writing, mentoring newer smokers, or simply enjoying cigars with friends, your insights can help others appreciate the craft – and help the craft itself.

As for your moment of enlightenment, you know you have achieved cognoscente status when you recognize the cigars and profiles you like and what will meld well with your individual palate. It comes with years of trial-and-error experience. Entering the humidor at this stage will be easier, having conquered the temptation of reaching for the stuff with shiny cigar bands and instead reaching for a cigar rolled in your favorite wrapper leaf, like Cameroon or Connecticut Shade. Then there are the flavors you enjoy from particular types of tobacco such as Estelí Ligero, or Dominican Habano.

At the end of the day, becoming an expert in cigars is nothing more than understanding and enjoying every aspect of the experience. And if you find yourself surrounded by good company, swapping stories over a great cigar, you’ve already mastered the most important part.