🥇 How to Light a Cigar

The Right Way to Ignite Flavor in a Cigar

Why Lighting a Cigar Properly Matters

Lighting a cigar isn’t just a spark—it’s a ceremony. Done correctly, it awakens the cigar’s full flavor potential and provides an even burn from first draw to final ash. Done wrong, you risk bitterness, canoeing (uneven burns), or wasted premium tobacco.

Tools You Can Use to Light a Cigar

Lighting tools are as personal as the cigar itself. Each has its place—and each affects the flavor, convenience, and cost.

1. 🔥 Butane Torch Lighter

Pros:

• Produces a hot, wind-resistant flame

• Great for outdoor use

• Quick, even lighting

Cons:

• Can scorch wrapper if held too close

• More expensive than soft flame options

Best For: Smokers who value precision and smoke regularly

Cost Range: $15–$100+

2. 🕯️ Soft Flame Lighter (e.g., Zippo w/ Butane Insert)

Pros:

• Gentle flame protects delicate wrappers

• Classic feel

Cons:

• Takes longer to light

• Needs regular refilling

Cost Range: $10–$60

3. 🕯️ Cedar Spills

Pros:

• Adds a subtle woody aroma

• Elegant and traditional

Cons:

• Requires a match or lighter to ignite

• Not windproof

• Not ideal for on-the-go

Cost Range: Pennies per spill

4. 🕯️ Long Wooden Cigar Matches

Pros:

• Traditional

• Inexpensive

• Widely available

Cons:

• Short burn time

• Can impart sulfur if not allowed to burn off

Pro Tip: Let the match burn for 2 seconds before lighting the cigar to avoid sulfur taint.

How to Properly Light a Cigar (Step-by-Step)

1. Toast the Foot
   Hold the cigar at a 45° angle and gently toast the foot (the open end) without letting the flame touch it. Rotate slowly.

2. Draw & Light
   Put the cigar in your mouth, hold the flame just beneath the foot, and puff gently while rotating. Watch for a glowing red ring.

3. Inspect the Burn
   Blow gently on the lit end. The foot should glow evenly. Touch up uneven spots with your flame.

What NOT to Use to Light a Cigar

• 🔥 Standard Zippo Fuel (Naphtha): Imparts chemical flavors

• 🔥 Scented Candles: Leaves an unpleasant aftertaste

• 🔥 Stove Burners / BBQ Lighters: Inconsistent flame and contamination risk

Taste Impact: Does the Flame Affect Flavor?

Yes—dramatically.

• Butane Torch: Neutral, but if misused, can char the wrapper

• Cedar Spills: Add a warm, woody nuance

• Matches: Clean if properly used, but some sulfur risk remains

For the purest taste, many aficionados prefer cedar spills or soft butane lighters.

Where to Buy Quality Lighting Tools

In-Person

• Premium cigar lounges

• Tobacconists or smoke shops

Online Retailers

• CustomizedHomeGoods.com (for premium ashtrays)

• JR Cigars, Famous Smoke Shop, Cigars International, Amazon (for lighters & matches)

Complete the Ritual — Don’t Forget Your Ashtray

A proper ashtray is part of the experience. Our custom, handcrafted cigar ashtrays hold your cigar safely and beautifully between draws. Personalize one for your home lounge or as a gift.

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Final Thoughts

Lighting a cigar the right way is more than function—it’s an initiation into the slow, sensory enjoyment that defines cigar culture. Whether you go with cedar spills for that Old World charm or a triple jet torch for quick results, what matters is doing it with intention.