Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 12/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi! I'm from Seattle and have a question.  My husband just started getting into
cigars and I'd love to surprise him with a nice lighter (cigar lighter) for
Christmas.  Any tips?  I've been checking out Cigars at Famous Smoke Shop
(website online) and they have some in the $10-20 range.  Is that alright to
spend?  And any special ones you'd recommend to surprise my husband with?  
He has a small humidor and about 10 cigars, and a cutter.  Thanks!  -Sue

ANSWER: Sue,

Great idea to give your husband a good lighter - he'll appreciate it and will remember your thoughtfulness every time he uses it.

Famous Smoke Shop is one of our competitors, but they are a great company. If they have a good quality lighter in that price range it sounds like a good price. What you want to look for in a cigar lighter are the following:

1. butane fuel - other types will give the cigar a bad taste when you light it

2. torch flame, wind resistant. A flame like a disposable Bic lighter is more difficult to pre-light a cigar with (otherwise known as "toasting"). A torch flame has a super hot, pinpoint flame made especially for lighting cigars

3. refillable. Most lighter are, but you want to make sure.

4. warranty. Maybe the most important feature, as butane lighters are notorious for developing problems. Many of the high-end lighters that can cost $75 or more come with a 1 year warranty, and many of them will fail soon after that. The best lighters I have found are the Xikar brand. As inexpensive as $24.95 and they come with an unconditional lifetime warranty, you can't beat them. If the lighter ever develops a mechanical problem (finish not warranted) you take it back to the place you bought it and they'll give you a new one, no questions asked. We stock several styles at our retail store, so let me know if you need help finding one. You may be able to find one locally - check out www.xikar.com and click on "retailers" to see who sells them in your area.

Thanks,
Bill


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you!  Yes, I'd LOVE to buy one from your online shop.  Also, what cigars
would you recommend?  Thanks for the advice on the xibar.  I will check that
out!

Answer
Sue,

You can view 2 of the Xikar brand lighters at www.finckcigarcompany.com Just search "Xikar" and you'll get a list of cutters and lighters. We have several other styles of lighters available at the retail store, but we don't list them on the web site. Let me know if you don't see one you like and I'll figure out how to send you images of the other styles.

As far as cigars, on that same site, www.finckcigarcompany.com, you'll see at the top of the home page an offer that reads "click here to see over 45 cigar samplers". There you'll find a variety of great cigar gifts from $15 to $100. It's hard to recommend a cigar without knowing his taste, but some of the most popular are: Ashton 5 Cigar Sampler, CAO Champion Sampler, Dominican Cigar Sampler, Premier Selection, and the "World Class Collection". All of these are terrific quality cigars and would make great gifts.

If it will help, we'd be happy to mail you our catalog so you can see all of these items in print instead of on a monitor. You can also call us at (800) 292-4427 to ask questions or place an order.

Thanks for your interest - hope this helps!
Bill