Toasting the foot: is it really necessary?

[ColdCuts]

Twenty years ago, when I was just getting started, I tried to adhere to the oft prescribed lighting ritual. But, like Porch Dweller, I do all of my smoking outdoors where conditions for lovingly toasting my cigar just aren't there. So my method adapted over the years.

Today I spend all of about five seconds "toasting". Whereby, like AdamJoshua, I hold the cigar more-or-less stationary and move the flame of my torch briefly over the foot. (Note: I've already clipped the cap. There are those that say the cigar should only be cut post toast.) After my five-second toast, the light. I'll take two very short puffs with the flame just under the foot, or maybe even touching the foot--for me it's tough to judge, especially when lighting a longer cigar. Maybe this technically screws-up the quick toasting I just gave it. I don't know. But, at this point I'm pretty confident my cigar is well-lit. To be certain, I examine the foot for an allover glow. If it's got one, success. It it hasn't, one or two more mini blasts targeting just the problem areas and we're good. If I suspect that I somehow gave my cigar a bad time, I'll purge it once, then let it rest for as much a whole minute. Done.

The complete procedure takes longer to read than perform, about fifteen to twenty seconds, provided my lighter isn't fighting with me. I know there are those who would say I'm doing it wrong, but I've been happily lighting cigars this way for a long time. Either I've got the palate of a goat and don't know any better, or this is a perfectly effective way to light.