There is something of an art and science to lighting a cigar properly. A cigar, of course, has a much wider area to it than a cigarette and requires special techniques to ensure that the tobacco burns evenly and at the correct temperature. There will inevitably be occasions when an individual like their cigar improperly and where they will be required to repeat the process to ensure the best-possible tasting smoke. The relighting process is very similar to the initial lighting process.
Cigar lighters have certain characteristics that help to provide an excellent light every time. Most often, these lighters have a wider flame area which ensures that the heat from the flame is distributed more evenly across the tobacco which prevents hot-spots that must be evened out. If this happens, however, the process of correcting the light and making it more even is fairly easy.
If the cigar is burning hot in one area and smoldering in others, one may simply blow on the foot to even out the temperature. It’s common enough to see even experienced cigar smokers doing this. If this proves inadequate, one may hold the flame to the unlit portion to heat the tobacco up to a good burning temperature. This should be done without drawing on the cigar in most cases. If the cigar is burning very unevenly, one may wish to start over.
Cigar lighters can make certain that one doesn’t have to correct for a bad light but there will still be occasions where this occurs. If the light is particularly bad-for instance, if only a very small portion of the cigar’s foot is actually burning-it may be easier to simply stub the cigar out and to start over entirely. Before relighting after stubbing out the stogie be sure to toast the tobacco again to ensure that it is warmed and ready for an even and proper light.
Cigars can be lit with liquid-fuel lighters but this leaves a chemical taste. This taste will be intensified by relighting a cigar to make up for a bad burn. Butane lighters can provide a flavor-free light no matter how long it is held to the tobacco but one must be certain not to overheat the tobacco when relighting it. This will result in a sharp, unpleasant taste. Getting the perfect light takes time and practice but is part of the art of smoking cigars.
Ryder is a consultant for an online specialty lighters store and has expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including Colibri lighters.
July 12, 2010 by Ryder Michaels