Best Cigar Accessories for Beginners: Everything You Need
Getting into cigars? The right accessories make all the difference between a mediocre smoke and a great one. Here's what you actually need — no fluff, no unnecessary gear.
1. Cigar Cutter — The Essential
You need a clean cut to get a proper draw. Biting the cap off or using scissors gives you a ragged cut that unravels the wrapper and ruins the experience.
Guillotine Cutter (Straight Cut)
The most common type. A single or double blade that cuts straight across the cap. Simple, effective, and affordable. Double-blade cutters give a cleaner cut. Best for beginners.
V-Cutter (Wedge Cut)
Cuts a V-shaped notch in the cap. Concentrates the draw for a more intense flavor. Works great on torpedo and figurado shapes. A step up from the straight cut.
Punch Cutter
Creates a small circular hole in the cap. Minimal wrapper damage and a focused draw. Compact enough to fit on a keychain. Doesn't work on pointed cigars.
2. Cigar Lighter — Skip the Bic
Regular lighters use soft flame and lighter fluid that can taint the flavor of your cigar. For cigars, you want a butane torch lighter.
- Single torch: Precise, good for touch-ups and smaller ring gauges. Wind-resistant.
- Double torch: Faster, more even light. The sweet spot for most cigar smokers.
- Triple torch: Lights large ring gauge cigars quickly. Uses more butane but saves time.
- Cedar spills: The traditional method. Light a strip of cedar and use it to toast your cigar. Purists love this for the subtle cedar flavor it adds.
We carry Maven and Scorch torch lighters specifically designed for cigars. Always use quality butane for refills — cheap butane clogs the jets.
3. Humidity Control — Keep Them Fresh
Cigars are made from natural tobacco leaves. Without proper humidity (65–72% RH), they dry out, crack, and lose flavor. Or they get too moist and burn unevenly.
- Boveda packs: The easiest solution. Drop a Boveda 62% or 69% pack in your storage container and it maintains perfect humidity automatically. We carry both sizes.
- Humidor pouches: Portable, resealable bags with built-in humidity control. Great for storing a few cigars without a full humidor.
- Desktop humidors: The classic option for serious collectors. Cedar-lined boxes that hold 20–100+ cigars. An investment, but worth it if you're building a collection.
4. Ashtray — Not Optional
A proper cigar ashtray has wide grooves that hold a cigar securely. Regular cigarette ashtrays are too small — your cigar will roll off and burn your table. A good ashtray is also deep enough to contain the ash without making a mess. We carry a variety of styles and sizes in-store.
5. Cigar Case — For Travel
If you take cigars on the go, a travel case protects them from getting crushed or dried out. Leather cases hold 2–3 cigars and fit in a jacket pocket. Hard cases offer more protection for longer trips. Some come with built-in humidification.
How to Properly Light a Cigar
- Cut the cap. Use your cutter to remove just the cap — about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. Don't cut too deep or the wrapper will unravel.
- Toast the foot. Hold the cigar at a 45-degree angle and bring the flame close to the foot (the open end) without touching it. Rotate the cigar slowly until the edges start to glow evenly.
- Take the first draw. Once the foot is evenly toasted, put the cigar in your mouth and draw gently while continuing to rotate over the flame. Don't inhale — cigar smoke is meant to be tasted, not inhaled into your lungs.
- Check the burn. Look at the lit end. It should be glowing evenly across the entire foot. If one side is burning faster, gently touch up the slower side with your lighter.
- Enjoy slowly. Take a draw every 30–60 seconds. Smoking too fast makes the cigar hot and bitter. Let it breathe.
Starter Kit Recommendation
If you're just getting started, here's what we'd recommend picking up:
- A double-blade guillotine cutter ($5–$15)
- A double-flame torch lighter ($15–$30)
- A Boveda 69% humidity pack ($3–$5)
- A resealable humidor pouch ($5–$10)
- Your first cigar — ask our staff for a recommendation based on your taste preferences
Total investment: under $50 for everything you need to enjoy cigars the right way.
Get Set Up at Mister Smokes
We carry premium cigars, cigarillos, and all the accessories you need at our Buena Park location. Our staff can help you pick your first cigar and the right accessories to go with it. Stop by 7685 Knott Ave.