Cigar lighting revelation
 

To the experienced smokers out there, this probably won't be much of a revelation, but to me, it certainly was. Hopefully, it will help one of my fellow newb's!

In the past few months, I have really had a lot of trouble with cigars tasting somewhat boring. They all had a burny, harsh taste, and I just couldn't pick out any flavors from them. It was really beginning to disappoint me, and I was losing some interest in my cigar-smoking passion.

About 3 weeks ago, I was at my favorite cigar stores, and I watched an "old timer" light his cigar. He wasn't pushing the flame from his lighter into the foot of his cigar. He was letting the heat from the flame come up to the foot as he drew it in. I went home that night and read similar advice on a few different cigar manufacturer's websites and thought that I would try it.

I've started 2 different things now. 1st, I keep the flame off of the cigar when toasting the foot. The foot is above the flame and toasts via the rising heat, not the intense flame. 2nd, I draw the heat up and into the cigar when I'm lighting it rather than allowing the flame to directly touch the foot. Low and behold, it has made a huge difference in the flavor that I am experiencing from my cigar smoking! Again, this probably isn't anything new for some of you, but hopefully, this might help a frustrated newb.

Enjoy!
Nick

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

:tu

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

:tu X2

Glad it has worked for the better!

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

Glad you figured this out. Makes for a better experience. Hopefully this will help a newb. It's something we all had to learn sometime.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I lite mine a little different, I never draw a flame into the cigar.
I toast it at a distance and then get the entire foot to glow even, blowing on the foot helps. Then I softly draw and recheck the foot for even glow and burn.

There are several ways to lite a cigar, glad you found one that works!

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I saw Michael Nouri do that in a movie once. Look like it worked, so I started doing it. It does help.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

Great tip! Will have to try this out today!

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I have been lighting my cigars this way for quite some time now as well. :tu

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

:tpd::tpd:

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

try this next...something i picked up from heiko in switzerland...i dont cut the cigar until after lighting.

derrek

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

If I may chime in and add, paper matches or regular bic lighters are not good for the cigar as well. Beside inhaling all the fuel is not as natural as Cigar smoke :) most better cigar lighter use butane. But I'v heard from many people that they toast it and blow it rather than inhaling any of the fuels while lighting. That's why some cigar bars still offer wood to light the cigar with if you noticed.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I was going to try this, but I do check draw before lighting.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I've done that before on accident :D

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

Never heard of that one... ;s

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

This is exactly what I do :D glad you're enjoying your smokes more, that's what is all about.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I'll have to try that next! That method sounds like it would take a bit more time and might be tricky outside when it's windy, but I'll give it a shot.

Oh yeah...a big +1 on this one for me. I only use butane! I haven't tried blowing outward though, but I guess that it would have the same effect as toasting the foot until it was glowing hot. In either case, you wouldn't be sucking fumes into your cigar.

Thanks for adding to the thread, all!

Nick

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

Why not? They are just another butane lighter and butane is odorless and tasteless, fwiw.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I primarily use a bic. Unless I'm outside, then I use a ronson.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

Very interesting to learn this. I think its here or it was probably on the old fourm where I read that the disposable lighters are ussally not butane.
I guess I got wrong info.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

Yah it is a bit tricky with a breeze, it also uses more butane.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I use the OPs method on smaller gauge sticks.
On big ring gauge cigars I get the flame close and move it around until I see some glowing evenly on the foot. Then I purge it before taking the first draw. Its easier for me to get an even light that way.
Out in my garage I use a propane torch. You have to hold it about six inches away but its always evenly lit.:D

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

bics are butane.
the only reason i dont use them is because they are not wind resistant/proof.
and i smoke outside as much as i can.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I just want to share that I knew about this toast lighting method for a long time but just out of pure laziness I usally just light and puff. After reading this thread yesterday.
Just now I took my time and lit my cigar by toasting from a distance. I have to say its is definitely a whole different experience. The cigar is just so much better, all I taste and smell is cigar flavor. Not burnt smoke. A lesson learnd.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I've been doing it that way for years...I fully light the foot and then snip off the cap.

I find they burn better and taste slightly better as well.

Even if it's just my imagination re: the taste

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

That's exactly what I do. It takes a little longer, but you don't get those first couple harsh puffs that scorch your palate right off the bat. People always look at me weird while I take my time getting the tip how I want it while they light and get puffing within seconds, but I always do it my way.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I light similar to how Shane does it. Toast the foot completely, purge, draw. I always purge a little before drawing any smoke through the cigar.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I use this method as well, I only draw flame through the cigar if I get one that keeps going out, it seems to keep the cigar burning a bit longer when I do it that way.

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

Now, I'm itchin' to try that new method! Thanks for all of the input, gang!!

Re: Cigar lighting revelation
 

I always toast the foot until it is a nice glow and then blow on it to even it out.
Great post OP.