Smoking a cigar is a different affair than smoking a cigarette. There are etiquette concerns regarding when and where it's appropriate to light up as much as there are etiquette concerns regarding how one lights up. Following both is certain to make the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Some cigar smokers will prefer to use matches, some will use cigar lighters and still others will use cedar strips to light-up. This is largely the preference of the smoker.
The host will generally offer a cutter. This is used to cut away the sealed end of the cigar so that it can be smoked. Make sure to hold the cigar over an ashtray when doing this. The scent just after cutting can be quite enjoyable, as well, so enjoy the aroma! Next comes the actual lighting which is something of an art.
Most cigar smokers prefer either wooden matches or butane lighters. This has to do with the lighter fluid taste that can be impaired to the tobacco by other lighters. Ask for a match or a torch lighter if offered a cigar. Usually, a trimmer will be on hand. One will need to trim off the end of the cigar to expose the tobacco before lighting.
The goal when lighting a cigar is to achieve a temperature sufficient for combustion but not one that is so hot that it ruins the flavor of the tobacco. The cigar should not be plunged into the flame. One simply holds the flame below the wrapper and employs the same technique as was used to warm the cigar excepting that one puffs hard enough on the cigar to draw the flame to the tobacco. This may take a few seconds and, after the cigar is mostly lit, there will likely be some spots that haven't ignited fully. Take the cigar out of the mouth and blow on it to get it burning evenly.
When lighting, repeat the process but puff hard enough to draw the flame to the cigar. Don't plunge the end of the cigar into the flame. This is not only poor etiquette; it ruins the flavor of the cigar. If the cigar doesn't light all the way through, which is often the case, pull it out of the mouth and blow on it to get the tobacco burning evenly. After that, the only etiquette involved is puffing away and enjoying the flavor. Remember that cigar smoke is not inhaled; it is simply puffed into the mouth where the flavor is more enjoyable. - 33386
Some cigar smokers will prefer to use matches, some will use cigar lighters and still others will use cedar strips to light-up. This is largely the preference of the smoker.
The host will generally offer a cutter. This is used to cut away the sealed end of the cigar so that it can be smoked. Make sure to hold the cigar over an ashtray when doing this. The scent just after cutting can be quite enjoyable, as well, so enjoy the aroma! Next comes the actual lighting which is something of an art.
Most cigar smokers prefer either wooden matches or butane lighters. This has to do with the lighter fluid taste that can be impaired to the tobacco by other lighters. Ask for a match or a torch lighter if offered a cigar. Usually, a trimmer will be on hand. One will need to trim off the end of the cigar to expose the tobacco before lighting.
The goal when lighting a cigar is to achieve a temperature sufficient for combustion but not one that is so hot that it ruins the flavor of the tobacco. The cigar should not be plunged into the flame. One simply holds the flame below the wrapper and employs the same technique as was used to warm the cigar excepting that one puffs hard enough on the cigar to draw the flame to the tobacco. This may take a few seconds and, after the cigar is mostly lit, there will likely be some spots that haven't ignited fully. Take the cigar out of the mouth and blow on it to get it burning evenly.
When lighting, repeat the process but puff hard enough to draw the flame to the cigar. Don't plunge the end of the cigar into the flame. This is not only poor etiquette; it ruins the flavor of the cigar. If the cigar doesn't light all the way through, which is often the case, pull it out of the mouth and blow on it to get the tobacco burning evenly. After that, the only etiquette involved is puffing away and enjoying the flavor. Remember that cigar smoke is not inhaled; it is simply puffed into the mouth where the flavor is more enjoyable. - 33386
About the Author:
Dave Sabot is the owner of an online store featuring specialty butane lighters and torch lighters.
