One of the most common questions asked by first time cigar smokers concerns using a cigar lighter to actually get their smoke going. Lighting that cigar is certainly a necessity, but there’s also an art to it. Successfully lighting a cigar requires several things, including patience, knowhow and the right tools. Those tools include a butane lighter, and a cigar cutter. It’s important that you have high quality tools, as well.

When using a cutter, you need to move about 1/8th of an inch from the end of the cigar. This will place the cutter on the shoulder of the cigar’s cap. This applies to guillotine cutters mostly. If you are using a punch, or a pair of scissors, the process differs. Once you have cut the cap, you can begin lighting your cigar. This will require that you hold the cigar end over the flame of your lighter, rather than placing the flame on the cigar, directly.

This process is called toasting and it helps ensure that the cigar will light evenly. Essentially, you are warming the tobacco with the flame of the lighter. It’s important that you use a torch lighter for this, as they are fueled with butane. This fuel is odorless, colorless and tasteless, ensuring that there is no chemical transfer to your cigar, as there can be if you use a different type of fuel.

Do not use any type of lighter other than a butane-fueled device, as other types of fuel can give your cigar a chemical taste or odor. To light your cigar, hold it in your mouth, tilted at about 45 degrees. Hold the lighter in front of it, but do not touch the flame to the tobacco. Inhale through the cigar and the flame will bend to touch the tobacco. Turn the cigar in your mouth while holding the flame. This will ensure that the cigar lights evenly.

Turn the cigar while drawing on it and you will see the flame bend to caress the foot of the cigar. Turing the cigar at this point ensures that the entire end is lit evenly, which is essential to avoid runs and uneven burning. When the cigar is lit evenly, take it out of your mouth. Inspect the foot of the cigar and locate any areas that are unlit or just smoldering. Reapply the flame to these areas and your cigar will be ready to smoke, offering considerable relaxation and enjoyment.

Dave Sabot is the owner of specialty butane lighters store. With expert knowledge of cigar accessories, including zippo pipe lighters, Dave also authors a highly rated blog featuring cigar tips.

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