I have heard so many people that have so many different ways of lighting a cigar.
I thought I'd put down what I do (mostly)
I say mostly, because in my car driving or outdoors I put my flame to a cigar & suck!
But given the time to sit and do it right:
First I try and feel the cigar, rolling it softly in my fingers.
I look for hard spots, possible plugs.
I will then clip the end, always drawing on the cigar before I light it.
If it does not draw I use a poker and try to save it.
If I can draw air through the cigar I will then go to lighting the cigar.
First (with my torch lighter) I roast the end of the cigar.
Never drawing air, just hold it in front of me and use the flame to roast the end of the cigar till it looks like it is going.
I then blow out thre the cigar, trying to drive and smoke from the lighting out of the cigar.
I look for a even light, I will blow on the cherry and see if I missed.
If I have a little more flame and blow out again.
At this point I will draw smoke from the cigar.
A soft gentle draw, not a puff puff puff.
If I do it right then it is off to an easy sit back and smoke.
Why blow out?
I was taught that the lighting of the cigar can give a harsh smoke.
So by blowing out I do not let the smoke come through the stick.
I have heard a lot of methods & only offer up what I myself use.
Cedar strips, bic lighters, wood matches & ect.
Wondering if this is your method????
& I hope I have helped you to enjoy your cigars a little more.
Some times the ritual de Habitual is half the fun!
Enjoy!
CC

(another small advise I will share.
When heading out for the evening,
I will clip my cigar and check the draw.
I have had to many moments out when my cigar was plugged and ruined my smoking moment.)

(Also it good to blow the smoke out of the cigar every now and again to clear the cigar - this will often keep the cigar sweeter!)

CastleCrest:

I have heard so many people that have so many different ways of lighting a cigar.

Would any of those include attempting to light and draw a cigar without cutting it first? When my boss lit his own ( I usually did it for him) for the first time I dont think he knew about this step.

--Eric

It is funny you bring up Bosses. My Boss, NEVER clips the end of the cigar before lighting. He spends his time and toasts the foot of the cigar until it is a cherry red, always blowing on the end.

It is his opinion that if the end is cut, the harsh tastes and odor have a direct route up the length of the stick.

After the foot is a perfect red circle, he clips the cap and takes a deep draw, and volumes of smoke immediately appear.

It is a longer time to light a cigar, but he always said a premium cigar should never be rushed.

That's exactly how I light my cigars...when I'm at my cousin's, I use matches, otherwise I use a Colibri.

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Heath

CigarStudent.com

"It is his opinion that if the end is cut, the harsh tastes and odor have a direct route up the length of the stick." I guess the theory is sound, but I am skeptical as to whether it actually makes a difference.

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"...And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear." -Haggai 2:5

Scott319:

It is funny you bring up Bosses. My Boss, NEVER clips the end of the cigar before lighting. He spends his time and toasts the foot of the cigar until it is a cherry red, always blowing on the end.

It is his opinion that if the end is cut, the harsh tastes and odor have a direct route up the length of the stick.

After the foot is a perfect red circle, he clips the cap and takes a deep draw, and volumes of smoke immediately appear.

It is a longer time to light a cigar, but he always said a premium cigar should never be rushed.

   he has the last part right. in my opinion, if you light the cigar right there will be no harsh tastes and odors to travel up the stick.  Its never been a problem with me.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

I generally do the exact same as you CC......I live in the country so when im driving I still roast the end of the cigar.....just have to watch for deer

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handypantz

Good smoking tips in this post. I'm gonna give them a shot on the next one I light up....

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Golf ball hitting, Cigar Puffing...Check and Check!!

when i first started i was amazed how much a "proper" light helped.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

yea lighting is a major factor. Another pointer, don't let the flame touch the cigar keep it just a hint off the tobacco.

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I don't wanna hold a job down if its just to make ends meet. I prefer rapid rise and faster falls, I wanna die the American dream.
~~ Josh Martinez

madurofan:

yea lighting is a major factor. Another pointer, don't let the flame touch the cigar keep it just a hint off the tobacco.

I'll second that. I've screwed up and torched a few, especially when I'm stuck with a lighter that doesn't want to work. Luckily it didn't do too much to diminish the cigar.

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"If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?"-- Dogen Zenji

I get my worst lights when I try to rush the job. That's why I prefer to use a natural style flame as opposed to a torch, I feel that I get a better light that way even though it may take twice as long because I really take my time and focus on an even light. Right and wrong accounts for about 30%, preference accounts for the rest in my opinion.

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When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

Thomas Jefferson

interesting.
I like the torch because i can direct the flame to exactly where it needs to be. that and when you lend it out to a cigarette smoker they almost always dont know quite what to do with it...


ive seen some eyebrows get scoarched

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

j0z3r:

I get my worst lights when I try to rush the job. That's why I prefer to use a natural style flame as opposed to a torch, I feel that I get a better light that way even though it may take twice as long because I really take my time and focus on an even light. Right and wrong accounts for about 30%, preference accounts for the rest in my opinion.

I've been hearing this more and more lately. A buddy told me about a guy he knows that lights his cigar with nothing but a natural flame BUT he uses a torch for corrective lights. I know its mostly preference but I'm thinking about experimenting. I've always used a torch bc I smoke outside most of the time so I'll see how it goes.

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I don't wanna hold a job down if its just to make ends meet. I prefer rapid rise and faster falls, I wanna die the American dream.
~~ Josh Martinez

madurofan:

j0z3r:

I get my worst lights when I try to rush the job. That's why I prefer to use a natural style flame as opposed to a torch, I feel that I get a better light that way even though it may take twice as long because I really take my time and focus on an even light. Right and wrong accounts for about 30%, preference accounts for the rest in my opinion.

I've been hearing this more and more lately. A buddy told me about a guy he knows that lights his cigar with nothing but a natural flame BUT he uses a torch for corrective lights. I know its mostly preference but I'm thinking about experimenting. I've always used a torch bc I smoke outside most of the time so I'll see how it goes.

That's me maddy, I use a natural flame for lights and a torch for correction, I think its a great combo and it works well for me, and my lighter is a dual purpose type, with a natural flame and a torch flame.

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When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

Thomas Jefferson