Expert: James Yee - 9/11/2010

Question
Hi James,
I've read many of your awesome answers to numerous humidor issues, so I'd like to bring up something about lighting cigars.  I know a butane lighter or a wooden match is best overall, but is there any way to light a cigar with a Bic lighter without affecting flavor?  I set a light below the bottom of the foot, not touching the cigar, and rotate as I light.  However, is it normal to struggle with this method for a minute or two before the cigar "gets going" and the foot is fully lit?  I sometimes accidentally burn the wrapper next to the foot, wondering if I can do it better.  What's your favorite way to get a clean, even start on a smoke?  Should a cigar be re-lit in the same fashion as the starting light and is it normal to do 5+ relightings on a cigar or am I just too slow?  Thanks for being a great expert for everyone. Jim.

Answer
Hi Jim,

When lighting a cigar, always remember to constantly rotate the cigar as you apply the flame.  It's common for the foot of the cigar to burn slightly but as long as you rotate the cigar repeatedly, the cigar should light evenly.  To prevent the cigar foot from burning, use a short-to-medium flame.  I find it's much easier to light a cigar with a shorter flame.  There should also be a 1 to 1 1/2 inch gap from the tip of the flame to the cigar foot.  When re-lighting a cigar, you should also use this method.  

I use many types of lighters but my personal favourite is the jet torch lighter.  Jet torch lighters have a steady, pencil-thin flame so lighting cigars is always precise and even.  When lighting cigars with a torch lighter, you don't even need to rotate the cigar.  Instead, just wave the tip of the flame back and forth over the cigar foot to evenly toast it.  

Torch lighters are also handy for evening out a severely crooked burn.  Bic lighters also use butane so you shouldn't worry about the cigar's flavours being affected.  The only lighters that you should NOT use on a cigar are naptha-based lighters such as Zippos as the fuel can transfer onto the cigar and give them a lighter fluid flavour.

If you find it necessary to do 5+ relightings for a cigar, the cigar is either too moist or rolled too tightly to necessitate a proper draw.  It's also possible that you may be smoking the cigar too slowly.  As a general rule of thumb, it's ideal to take 2-3 draws per minute to keep the cigar burning steadily.

I hope this helps!  If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James