To get maximum pleasure from your cigar the lighting procedure must be carried out conscientiously.
First of all the cigar tip must be cut. This is best done with a tool well adapted to the task as a pair of cigar scissors or a guillotine cutter. Do not cut to much but not little either. About 1/6” would be just about right to get the right draft.
Before cutting it make sure that the cigar is moist enough. Ideally you would have taken the cigar from you humidor where the conditions are perfect for keeping cigars.
If you have not got your humidor in place yet, you should put the cigar in your mouth and moist it gently with your saliva. This is to prevent the cigar from crackling.
When lighting the cigar use a gas lighter or – even better – a wooden stick. Ideally a stick of cedar wood. Make sure you do not use a gasoline lighter or matches that are treated in any way. This could severely affect the taste of your cigar.
Hold your cigar in an angle pointing downwards to the flame keeping it just above the burning flame. Keep it there and rotate the cigar gently until the cover leave starts glowing in all around the perimeter of the cigar. There is no need to puff the cigar while lighting it.
Now your cigar is lit and all that remains is exquisite pleasure.
You do not need to inhale the cigar to your lungs. Just take a slow drag and let the smoke stay in your mouth for a while before exhaling. Allow the cigar to rest 15-20 sec. before taking the next puff. You should avoid getting the cigar to hot. The cooler the smoke the better.
Make a point of keeping the ash on the tip of your cigar as long as possible. This will tell you a bit about the quality of your cigar. The finer quality the longer the ash will stay. When finally getting rid of the ash pillar roll the tip gently against the ashtray.
When about one third of the cigar is done then your cigar is at its peak, the so called “Golden Third”. Enjoy!
When shall I quit my cigar? The simple answer is to stub it out when it does not taste good any longer. You can also take a break from the cigar by simple leaving it in the ashtray until it goes out. When resuming simple follow the lighting tips above.
Have a cigar!
Håkan Lothigius is a writer and passionate cigar aficionado. Please visit El Cigar Humidor for more information on cigars.
