Smoking a Cigar Retro-Nasally

For many people, it feels natural to both inhale and exhale smoke through the mouth. However, retro-nasal cigar smoking is a bit different. Behind this technical term is actually a simple technique: after drawing the smoke into the mouth, it is exhaled through the nose.

Sense of Smell and Retro-Nasal Smoking

Nowhere else does the cigar’s aroma unfold quite as profoundly as here. Through a connection in the throat, smoke travels from the mouth into the nose, where it encounters over ten million olfactory cells from 400 different receptor types. This is how we humans are able to “taste through the nose.” Retro-nasal smoking turns a cigar into a special sensory experience which, scientifically speaking, is actually a smell experience. The unique sensitivity of the nose enhances our perception of flavor—just as it does with food. What we typically think of as the fine sense of our tongue is actually a rich sensory experience that we primarily experience through our nose.

Sensation of Taste and Retro-Nasal Smoking

Through the mouth, we can distinguish only five types of taste: bitter and sour (which alert us to unripe or spoiled food), and salty, sweet, and fatty (which indicate the presence of key nutrients). From an evolutionary perspective, this is enough; it keeps us away from harmful foods and fuels our desire for vital nutrients. However, if we had only these five taste sensations, we would likely miss out on the complex bouquet of a fine cigar. Much like good food or wine, the flavors of a cigar awaken our senses, thanks to the aroma rising into the nasal cavity. We notice the inseparable connection between tasting and smelling, especially when a cold temporarily deprives us of both senses. The exact chemical processes at work in the nose remain a mystery; scientists still do not fully understand how our sense of smell functions. What is clear, however, is that we possess an extraordinarily sensitive organ capable of perceiving an impressive variety of aromas. This sensitivity especially benefits us when it comes to recognizing complex flavor nuances. Master blenders, experts who create cigar blends for producers, know this well. When tasting cigars, retro-nasal smoking—alongside years of experience and the precision of highly trained senses—helps them expertly assess the flavor and strength of a cigar. For many, this technique may still be unfamiliar, and not everyone may find it enjoyable. However, to fully appreciate a cigar’s aroma, it is worth trying. So, give it a go and experience a cigar retro-nasally for yourself.

What Should I Keep in Mind When Smoking Through the Nose?

Enjoying a cigar requires a bit of practice and finesse:

1. Draw lightly on the cigar and, most importantly, ensure that no smoke enters your lungs.
2. Do not blow the smoke through the nose too quickly or too forcefully; the heat could otherwise make your eyes water. Instead, hold the smoke in your mouth for a moment or two until it cools. This allows you to perceive the flavor first—which makes sense, as every cigar offers a unique flavor experience.

As described, taste receptors are located on both the tongue and in the nose. Ideally, draw only a small amount of smoke slowly and evenly into your mouth, allowing it to flow lightly over the tongue. The smoke then moves directly into the nose, where it can be exhaled. Experiment with this technique—and above all, approach cigar smoking with ease, as it is meant to be relaxing.

How Can I Avoid Inhaling Cigar Smoke?

When exhaling through the nose, ensure the smoke moves directly from the mouth into the nose and is not swallowed beforehand. As you may know, cigar smoke should not be inhaled into the lungs. Cigars are meant to be puffed, filling the palate, to release their flavor. For cigarette smokers, this might take some getting used to, and beginners may also find it challenging. We recommend this exercise for beginners: Before taking your next puff, inhale a bit of clean air and hold it in your lungs. This can help suppress the urge to inhale cigar smoke. Inhaling cigar smoke can cause nausea. Due to the high nicotine content, it’s recommended to avoid inhaling cigar smoke into the lungs. When smoking through the nose, the cigar smoke should move slowly from the mouth to the nose, and you should never swallow the smoke. Additionally, avoid exhaling every puff through the nose, occasionally alternating with mouth exhalation. Otherwise, nasal membranes may absorb too much nicotine and other substances.