Saturday, January 16, 2010

How to use Cedar Strips to Light a Cigar

By Dave Sabot

Lighting a cigar correctly is vital to ensuring the best smoking experience. There are numerous steps involved in doing so and, oftentimes, smokers have as much of a preference in regards to lighting their cigar as they do toward which types of cigars they prefer. Cedar strips are one of the less-common ways that smokers light-up and they offer an interesting twist on enjoying one's smoke.

To do this, one needs the same devices they normally would require to enjoy a cigar: a high-quality lighter or matches, depending on one's preference; any one of the numerous types of cigar cutters available; a good cigar; and, of course, some time to enjoy the smoke. Actually lighting the cigar with cedar is no different than lighting the cigar with a match or a lighter; it is in the reasons for doing so that the rationale for the various techniques involved are discovered.

Most smokers who prefer this method have some degree of sensitivity to the taste of the chemicals used in both lighters and matches. Cedar burns fast and hot, has a pleasant, natural taste and, according to many cigar aficionados, imparts no unpleasant taste to their tobacco. For this reason, many individuals who prefer to light their cigars in this fashion also light the cedar strip itself with a match, eliminating altogether any chance of having lighter fluid or other substances discolor the flavor of their cigar. Of course, this method is not the most convenient and is usually something that is done when one smokes a cigar in their home as carrying around all the materials required can be somewhat cumbersome.

A match or a lighter"butane, if chemicals are the issue"is used to ignite the cedar strip. These strips will usually burn for more than long enough to light a cigar. Sometimes they can be used for several. The flame is applied to the cigar as would any other flame: The cigar should be rotated while puffing to produce a nice, even cherry and to avoid any part of the cigar from becoming too hot. Be sure that the strip is extinguished fully before setting it aside!

Cedar strips offer something different for one's cigar-smoking experience. The smell of burning cedar being immediately followed by the smell of high-quality, burning tobacco is really quite pleasant. If one is truly looking for a gourmet experience, cedar strips can be a nice addition to the smoking ritual.

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