If you’re lucky, your partner shares your cigar enthusiasm. If not, you know it’s true love if they're happy for you to light up from time to time. And of course, you're particularly fortunate if cigars aren't their thing, but they always sit by your side whilst you enjoy one.

The ritual that slows the world down

One of the great appeals of a cigar is the ritual that surrounds it. From selecting the cigar itself to cutting, lighting, and settling into the first draw, every step asks you to slow down. A cigar doesn’t reward impatience. It encourages focus, intention and care, which are qualities that feel increasingly rare in modern life.

This ritual creates a clear boundary between the noise of the day and a moment of calm. Whether enjoyed alone or with others, a cigar marks time in a deliberate way. It might be the close of a long working week, a quiet evening after dinner, or a moment of pause before conversation begins. The act itself becomes grounding.

Unlike many modern habits, cigar smoking isn’t designed to be consumed absent-mindedly. It asks something of you in return: attention, patience and presence. That, in itself, is a large part of the appeal.

“Smoking cigars is like falling in love; first you are attracted by its shape, you stay for its flavour, and you must always remember never to let it completely burn out.”

— Winston Churchill

Reflection, contemplation and personal meaning

Cigars have long been associated with reflection. There’s something about the slow rhythm of a cigar that invites thought. Not forced introspection, but gentle mental space. It’s no coincidence that many people associate cigars with thinking time, decision-making or simply letting the mind wander.

The Russian writer Leo Tolstoy once described a cigar as “the crown and outward sign of pleasure.” It’s a line that resonates not because it romanticises excess, but because it recognises the cigar as something that completes a moment rather than dominates it.

For some, cigars accompany personal milestones or achievements. For others, they are a quiet counterbalance to busy lives. The relationship people have with cigars is rarely superficial. Over time, certain formats, origins or blends become associated with memories, places and people, giving each cigar a personal significance beyond its flavour profile.

Pipe tobacco shares some of this reflective character. Though very different in practice, the slow preparation and unhurried enjoyment of a pipe speaks to the same desire for contemplation and escape from urgency.

"Some people meditate; I smoke cigars."

— Ron Perlman

Passion and craft run deep

Another reason people fall in love with cigars is the passion behind them. Every cigar represents years of knowledge, tradition and skill, from the farmers who cultivate the tobacco to the blenders and rollers who shape the final product. This isn’t mass production in the modern sense; it’s craftsmanship refined over generations.

Cigar lovers often speak about appreciation rather than consumption. They’re interested in where a cigar comes from, how it’s made and why it tastes the way it does. This curiosity deepens enjoyment and fosters respect for the people behind the product.

The sense of craft also creates a natural emotional connection. When you understand the care that goes into producing a cigar, it’s hard not to value the experience more deeply. It becomes less about indulgence and more about participation in a long-standing tradition.

"Only fine cigars are worth smoking and only men who smoke fine cigars are worth kissing."

— Joan Collins

Community, conversation and shared moments

Whilst cigars are often enjoyed in quiet reflection, they’re equally powerful as a social experience. Cigar culture has always been rooted in conversation due to it being unhurried, open and often wide-ranging. Cigars have a way of levelling the room, encouraging discussion rather than distraction.

One example of this spirit can be found at Cigar Club London. It’s a welcoming community where enthusiasts come together online and in person not just to enjoy cigars, but to share knowledge, stories and company. Whether someone is deeply experienced or just beginning their journey, the emphasis is on inclusivity, curiosity and connection.

Another voice that represents this thriving community ethos is Steve, better known as London Cigar Smoker. What began as a personal blog tracking his journey from novice to enthusiast has grown into a hub of shared stories, reviews and experiences that resonate with people at all levels of cigar appreciation. Through his writing and online presence, Steve brings people together, helping newcomers to feel welcome and sparking conversations that extend far beyond any single cigar.

This sense of community is central to why cigars endure. They unite people without pressure or performance. The cigar becomes a companion to conversation rather than its focus, a shared rhythm that makes space for genuine interaction.

“There’s something about smoking a cigar that feels like a celebration. It’s like a fine wine. There’s a quality, a workmanship, a passion that goes into the smoking of a fine cigar.”

— Demi Moore

Oh cigars, how we love you

At their core, cigars endure because they offer something that many people are actively seeking: slowness, substance and authenticity. They ask you to be present. They reward patience. And they carry with them a depth of history, craft and human connection that goes far beyond the smoke itself.

In a world that often prioritises speed and immediacy, cigars stand apart. They remind us that some pleasures are meant to be savoured, and that taking time, whether alone or with others, is not indulgent but essential. That quiet appeal is why people fall in love with cigars, and why that love lasts.