Lighting a cigar is closer to toasting bread than to lighting a cigarette: gentle, patient and even. Here is how to do it well, what fuel to use, and how to fix a burn that runs crooked.
The foot of a cigar is the end you light. Unlike a cigarette, it is made of tightly packed whole leaf, and it needs time to catch. If you rush it, you scorch one side, the burn goes lopsided and the first few puffs taste harsh. If you take it slowly, the whole foot glows evenly and the cigar settles into a steady burn.
Before you start, make sure the head is already open. If you have not yet cut the cigar, read our guide on how to cut a cigar first, since you cannot light and draw through a sealed head.
The fuel you pick matters because the foot of the cigar will pick up whatever the flame carries. Butane is the usual recommendation, because it is relatively tasteless. Wood matches are another good option, as long as you let the head burn off its sulfur before you bring the flame near the cigar. Lighters that burn other lighter fluids can leave an unpleasant taste on the first draws.
Some smokers prefer a cedar spill, a thin strip of cedar lit from a match or lighter and then used to ignite the cigar. It adds a faint, pleasant aroma and keeps the original flame away from the tobacco. It is a nice touch for a special evening, and you can find spills at most cigar counters.
Wind is the usual enemy when you light outdoors. Turn your back to the breeze or cup your hand around the flame to keep it steady, and keep the cigar low and still while you rotate. A flame that flickers in and out leads to a patchy light, which is the main reason cigars burn unevenly from the start.
A torch-style lighter is popular because its flame holds up well in the wind. If you use one, keep a respectful distance, because a hot flame held too close can scorch the wrapper in seconds.
Hold the cigar at a slight angle, with the foot near the flame but not buried in it. Rotate the cigar slowly so the edge of the foot heats evenly. This step, often called toasting, warms the tobacco and starts it smoldering without a burst of heat. You will see the edge darken and the leaf begin to glow.
Once the foot looks evenly toasted, bring it closer to the flame and take a few gentle puffs while continuing to turn the cigar. Draw smoothly. Wait until you can see a full ring of glowing ash, then take the cigar from the flame and look at the foot. A bright, even ring is the goal.
It is tempting to puff hard to get the cigar going, but quick pulls overheat the tobacco and can ruin the taste. Smooth, steady puffs let the cigar settle in. After the first few draws, rest the cigar for a moment and take your next puff a good while later. How often you puff is up to you, but a slow rhythm keeps the cigar cooler and the flavor cleaner.
If you notice that you are drawing smoke too hard, or the cigar feels hot at the lips, set it down for a minute. Cigars are meant to be smoked slowly.
The first few puffs set the tone for the whole cigar. Once the foot is glowing, take a moment to enjoy it. Notice the smoke, the aroma and the way the cigar feels in your fingers. A cigar is meant to be a slow pleasure, and a hurried first third is one of the easiest ways to waste a good one.
Let the ash build while you smoke. Tap it off into an ashtray only when it is long enough to fall by itself or begins to feel loose.
Even careful smokers see the foot burn crooked now and then. When one side runs ahead of the other, the cigar is said to be canoeing or tunneling. The remedy is simple. Touch up the slow side with your lighter or a match, rotating the cigar so the flame evens things out. For a tiny spot, a gentle breath over the coal can be enough.
If one side is racing, some smokers dampen the tobacco just ahead of the burn line with a wet fingertip to slow it. Do not lick the cigar. A burn that keeps going lopsided despite your touch-ups may point to a storage issue, and our storage guide explains how dryness and humidity affect how a cigar burns.
If a cigar goes out, you can relight it. Knock off any stale, loose ash, give the foot a gentle blow to clear old smoke, and toast it again. A cigar that has been out for a long time can taste stale or sour on relighting. Many smokers simply start a fresh one at that point rather than chase the flavor.
There is no need to stub a cigar out like a cigarette. You can set it down and let it go out on its own, and it will usually do so without help. Remember, too, that cigars are for adults and carry real health risks. They are best enjoyed in moderation, outdoors or somewhere ventilated, and away from people who do not want the smoke.
You do not need much, just a clean flame and a cutter. A good lighter lasts for years and pays for itself in better-tasting first puffs. Take a look at our humidors and accessories page for what we are planning in lighters, and if you enjoy ritual, a cedar spill is a pleasant extra.
Use a clean flame such as butane, hold the foot near but not in the flame, and rotate the cigar until the edge glows evenly. Then draw gently to finish the light.
Butane lighters are the common choice. Lighters that burn other fuels can add an unpleasant taste to the first puffs, so choose a clean-burning one.
Uneven lighting is the usual cause. Touch up the slow side with your lighter and rotate the cigar. If it keeps happening, check how you store your cigars.
No. A cigar is made of dense whole leaf and needs a slow, even toast. Hurrying the light scorches one side and tastes harsh.
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