Casa DNCGet the app

Casa DNC · Free course

Cigars 101The beginner's course

Everything you need to go from curious to confident — in the order it actually makes sense. Work at your own pace, lessons check themselves off as you finish, and pick up right where you left off.

5

modules

37

short lessons

100%

free · no sign-up

Your progress

0 of 37 lessons — start anywhere

0%
1

The basics

What a cigar actually is — the parts, the leaves, and the words you'll keep hearing.

  1. 1.1Parts of a cigar
  2. 1.2Wrapper, binder & filler
  3. 1.3Ligero, seco & volado (the filler leaves)
  4. 1.4Mild vs medium vs full strength
  5. 1.5Wrapper types, simplified
  6. 1.6What is ring gauge?
  7. 1.718 cigar terms to know
2

Sizes & shapes

Vitolas decoded, so you can pick a size that fits your time and your taste.

  1. 2.1Sizes & shapes overview
  2. 2.2The robusto
  3. 2.3The toro
  4. 2.4The corona
  5. 2.5The churchill
  6. 2.6Figurados (torpedo, belicoso, perfecto)
3

Your first cigar

Buy it, cut it, light it, and smoke it the right way — no awkwardness.

  1. 3.1How to choose a cigar at the shop
  2. 3.2How to cut a cigar
  3. 3.3How to light a cigar
  4. 3.4Smoking your first cigar
  5. 3.5How to hold a cigar
  6. 3.6How (and when) to ash
  7. 3.7How far down to smoke
  8. 3.8Retrohaling for more flavor
4

Storage & humidity

Keep your cigars in perfect shape — and use the calculators to skip the guesswork.

  1. 4.1How to choose a humidor
  2. 4.2Humidor capacity calculatorTool
  3. 4.3How to season a new humidor
  4. 4.465 vs 69 vs 72% RH
  5. 4.5How many Boveda packs?
  6. 4.6Boveda pack calculatorTool
  7. 4.7Organize your humidor
  8. 4.8Storing cigars long term
5

Going further

Fix common problems, age with intent, and start building a real collection.

  1. 5.1Fix a tight draw
  2. 5.2Relight without ruining it
  3. 5.3Fix an uneven burn
  4. 5.4How long to age cigars
  5. 5.5Cigar aging calculatorTool
  6. 5.6Start a cigar collection
  7. 5.7What to expect at a lounge
  8. 5.8Spot a fake Cuban

Put it into practice

Track every cigar you try, log your humidor, and watch your collection grow — free in the Casa DNC app.

Get the app

Prefer to browse? See all guides · Explore the cigar library