4 Tips for Lighting a Cigar

4 Tips for Lighting a Cigar

If possible, use cedar matches. If you must use a lighter, make sure it is butane to avoid strong odors. Carefully warm the open end of the cigar over the flame without touching it to the fire. After lighting your cigar, remove it from your mouth and examine the burn.

1. If possible, use cedar matches. If you must use a lighter, make sure it is butane to avoid strong odors.

2. Gently warm the open end of the cigar (aka "the foot") over the flame without touching it to the fire. Allow a black ring to form around the tip.

3. Place the cigar in your mouth and take a slow draw. Hold the cigar about half an inch above the flame, without touching it. Continue to draw in until the flame is drawn in by the cigar. Slowly turn the cigar, spinning it to ensure an even burn.

4. After lighting your cigar, remove it from your mouth and examine the burn. If the burn appears uneven, simply blow on the unlit sections of the cigar to draw the burn, and then take one or two draws from the cigar to reestablish an even burn.