The Craft · Step 01
The cut.
Before the fire, before the cedar — the cut sets up everything that follows.
Dolan picked up the cigar and looked at it before he did anything else. That pause, we learned, was the point. A good cut isn't rushed. It's a decision.
Most people cut too shallow or too deep. Too shallow and the draw is tight — you're working against the cigar the whole way. Too deep and the wrapper starts to unravel, and the smoke you get is harsh and uneven. The cut Dolan showed us was clean, straight, and confident. One motion. Done.
But the cut itself was only half of it. What Dolan did next — before a single flame was involved — changed how we think about every cigar we've smoked since.
Watch — Havana, 2019
Dolan demonstrates the cut and leaf setup
Filmed at the Meliá Cohiba lounge, Vedado, Havana · September 2019 · Starts at 0:33
The technique
One motion, no hesitation. A guillotine cutter works best — a single blade, properly sharp, cutting straight across. If you have to saw or press, the blade is dull. A clean cut means a clean draw from the first pull.
Before you light anything, look at the cut end. Dolan showed us how to gently adjust the tobacco leaves inside — creating small gaps, allowing air to move through the filler before smoke ever enters the equation. Better airflow from the start means better flavor throughout.
Draw on the unlit cigar before you light it. It should be easy — not loose, not tight. This tells you whether the cigar is rolled well and whether your cut was right. If the draw is off, you'll fight it for the next hour. Better to know now.
Make it cleanly.
Technique demonstrated by Dolan, Meliá Cohiba lounge, Havana, September 2019.