Lighting a cigar correctly ensures that one gets the best possible flavor from their stogie. This process requires a bit of practice, however, and it is inevitable that novice cigar smokers will get it wrong a few times. One can correct a bad light with a bit of work and, oftentimes, a bad light can be remedied without compromising the flavor of the cigar in any regard. The right lighter is oftentimes the key.
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.
While some purists prefer to use cedar strips to light their cigars, there are many fine butane lighters on the market that are specifically manufactured to light a stogie. They generally feature a wider flame area which helps to provide a more even light. More expensive models, such as cigar cutter lighters, are provided with tools attached that eliminate the necessity to carry several implements around.
Remember that a good burn starts with proper technique. The cigar must be warmed before it is lit by being held a bit above the flame and rotating the cigar. If the cigar has to be stubbed out and relit, repeat this process to make certain that the burn takes more evenly on the second light. One relights the cigar exactly as they would properly light a cigar from the start: warm the tobacco and rotate the cigar over the flame as one puffs.
If one is very much a cigar aficionado, one owes it to themselves to purchase a proper cigar lighter. These are available with attachments that make it more convenient to smoke when away from home. For example, one may purchase a cigar lighter with cutter implements attached which can ensure that one receives an even draw off of their cigar every time and which can eliminate the need to correct a poor light or to relight a stogie altogether when it is burning unevenly.
Ryder is a consultant for an online specialty lighters store and has expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including Colibri lighters.
