Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page! We understand that you may have questions about our products, or need help making a selection.
We are here to provide you with the answers you need. This page contains a list of common questions that our customers often ask us, along with detailed answers. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we can help you directly. Thank you for choosing Elder Cigars!
We have selected the 3 cigars we offer based on a number of factors. Rest assured they are all of the highest quality, Cuban tobacco, however their characteristics will help you decide
From our experience, when selecting cigars for a wedding, the most important thing is time. Our cigars range from 25 minutes to 60+ minutes, so consider how much time you will have on the day to help you select the correct cigar. A shorter cigar may be better if your time is limited
On the product descriptions you will find all the other characteristics and recommendations, but if you’re still unsure, give us a call or send a message and we’d be happy to help you select!
Whilst technically you can re-light and continue to smoke a cigar that has gone out, we normally would only do this if the cigar was less than 50% smoked. Because the process of smoking a cigar releases many natural oils and minerals from the tobacco leaf, if left for an extended time these can impact the flavour profile of the cigar when you re-light.
If you find that your cigar is going out whilst you are smoking it, simply knock any ash off the end and relight it to carry on.
The main difference between Cuban cigars and New World cigars (which include cigars from countries like Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and others) comes down to origin, tobacco quality, flavour profile, and production methods.
Cuban Cigars – Made entirely in Cuba using Cuban tobacco, known as Puro Cubano (meaning all components, wrapper, binder, and filler, come from Cuba).
New World Cigars – Made outside of Cuba, using tobaccos from various regions, often blended to create unique flavours.
Hand rolled Cigars are crafted by skilled torcedores (cigar rollers) who carefully select, bunch, and wrap the tobacco leaves by hand.
Machine made Cigars are mass-produced using machines that assemble and wrap the cigars quickly, often using chopped tobacco instead of whole leaves.
For premium experiences, special occasions, and true cigar enthusiasts, hand-rolled cigars are the way to go. Machine-made cigars are more for casual, everyday smoking, or budget-conscious buyers.
A cigar ring gauge is the measurement of a cigar’s diameter, expressed in 64ths of an inch. For example, a cigar with a 50-ring gauge is 50/64 of an inch in diameter.
A cigar vitola refers to the size and shape of a cigar. It includes both length (in inches) and ring gauge (diameter in 64ths of an inch), as well as the specific name given to that shape.
Common Cigar Vitolas
Vitola Name | Length (inches) | Ring Gauge | Shape |
Petit Corona | 4.5-5.1 | 40-44 | Small, great for quick smokes |
Corona | 5-6 | 42-44 | Classic medium-sized cigar |
Robusto | 4.75-5.5 | 48-52 | Short, thick, full-flavored |
Toro | 6 | 50-54 | Longer than a Robusto, balanced smoke |
Churchill | 6.75-7 | 47-50 | Long, slow-burning cigar |
Lancero | 7-7.5 | 38-40 | Thin, elegant, complex flavours |
Torpedo | 5.5-6.5 | 50-54 | Pointed head, concentrated draw |
Belicoso | 5-5.5 | 50+ | Shorter version of a Torpedo |
Double Corona | 7.5-8.5 | 49-52 | Large cigar for long smoking time |
In your cigar package will be a card describing the correct storage of your cigars, however for more detail read on below:
To keep your cigars fresh and ensure the best smoking experience, you need to control humidity (69% RH) and temperature (65-70°F / 18-21°C). Here’s how:
Since your Wedding Cigars come in airtight pouches with a ‘Boost’ 69% RH humidity pack, they can be safely stored as-is for a few months without needing a humidor
Just keep them:
– In a cool, dark place (away from direct sunlight and heat sources)
– Sealed in their original pouch to maintain humidity
– Avoid the fridge – It dries out cigars!
If you plan to store cigars for longer, you’ll need a humidor (a wooden box designed to maintain proper humidity.) If you need support on finding or setting up a humidor for your wedding cigars, please get in touch via the contact us page and we’d be happy to help!
If you don’t have a humidor but want to store cigars longer, you can use:
A sealed Tupperware or Glass Jar – Add a ‘Boost’ 69% humidity pack to maintain proper moisture.
A Ziplock Bag with a Humidity Pack – Works well for up to a few months.
If stored correctly in a properly maintained humidor (65-72% humidity, 65-70°F temperature), cigars can last indefinitely, and even improve with age; much like fine wine.
Short-Term (Up to 3 Months) – If kept in their airtight packaging with a humidity pack (like the ‘Boost’ 69% RH we include in your Wedding Cigars packages), cigars will stay fresh for a few months.
Long-Term (Years to Decades) – When stored in a quality humidor, cigars can last decades, and even develop richer, smoother flavours over time.
Click the links below to view the Video Tutorials:
Click this link to follow our instructions on how to cut a cigar: How to Cut a Cigar
Locate the cap (the rounded, sealed end of the cigar). Using the cutter provided in your package, place the cap a few millimetres into the cutter, and make a quick, firm cut to avoid crushing the cigar. You only need to cut a small amount off (2-3mm) to open up the cigar.
Click this link to follow our instructions on how to cut a cigar: How To Light a Cigar
Lighting the Cigar: You will need to light the opposite end to the one you just cut. Using either cigar matches, or a cigarette lighter, hold the flame close to, but not touching the end of the cigar. You should rotate the cigar as you light it until there is an even glow. Place the cigar in your mouth, drawing gently whilst rotating for an even burn.
Top tip: If it’s a particularly windy day, use two matches together or a lighter.
Click this link to follow our instructions on how to cut a cigar: How To Smoke a Cigar
Smoking the Cigar: An important note, you should not inhale a cigar. Instead, draw the smoke into your mouth only, then exhale. Take slow puffs every 30–60 seconds to prevent the cigar from overheating. Let the ash build naturally and tap it off gently when it’s about 2.5 cm long. Stop smoking when 2-3cm remain and let the cigar go out naturally. If at any time you need to relight the cigar, simply knock the ash off and follow the lighting instructions again.
If you still have questions that our FAQ’s have not been able to answer, please go to our Contact Us page for more information on how to get in touch via phone or email and we’d be happy to answer any further questions you may have. Thanks, from the Elder Cigars team!
