Enjoying a cigar is definitely among the finer things in life. There are some specific techniques involved in lighting-up that ensure that the cigar is enjoyed to its fullest. Those who smoke pipes will likely find some things familiar in the process. Those who only smoke cigarettes will have a bit of learning ahead of them but it's well-worth the effort.
While lighting the cigar will be a large part of the experience, a cigar is enjoyed even before it is lit. If the host presents a cigar from a humidor it's likely a pricey one. The smell of cigars, even before they're burning, can be quite enjoyable. Go ahead and run it under the nose before lighting up or cutting it. The host will likely offer some information about its origins and the tobacco used. Cigars, unlike cigarettes, are much more than brand names.
A few cigar smokers use fluid-filled lighters but this is somewhat rare. Cigar smokers generally want the purest taste possible from their stogie and some of them claim that lighter fluid lends to the tobacco a chemical taste. Whichever method is used, the lighting of the cigar will employ the same technique.
One starts by warming the cigar. This is done by holding the match, lighter or cedar strip below the cigar without touching the wrapper and rolling the cigar around in one's mouth. Once the wrapper is warm, it is ready to light. Test the wrapper with the fingers to ensure that it is warmed up.
The goal when lighting a cigar is to achieve a temperature sufficient for combustion but not one that is so hot that it ruins the flavor of the tobacco. The cigar should not be plunged into the flame. One simply holds the flame below the wrapper and employs the same technique as was used to warm the cigar excepting that one puffs hard enough on the cigar to draw the flame to the tobacco. This may take a few seconds and, after the cigar is mostly lit, there will likely be some spots that haven't ignited fully. Take the cigar out of the mouth and blow on it to get it burning evenly.
Cigars are not inhaled as are cigarettes. Use short puffs to draw the smoke into the mouth. If the cigar wanes, a little bit of vigorous puffing is usually all that's required to get it going again. A cigar may be extinguished and relit so don't be afraid to put it out if it's more cigar than is desired at one sitting. Properly-lit cigars can burn for a long time and making sure it's done right from the start ensures an excellent smoking experience.
While lighting the cigar will be a large part of the experience, a cigar is enjoyed even before it is lit. If the host presents a cigar from a humidor it's likely a pricey one. The smell of cigars, even before they're burning, can be quite enjoyable. Go ahead and run it under the nose before lighting up or cutting it. The host will likely offer some information about its origins and the tobacco used. Cigars, unlike cigarettes, are much more than brand names.
A few cigar smokers use fluid-filled lighters but this is somewhat rare. Cigar smokers generally want the purest taste possible from their stogie and some of them claim that lighter fluid lends to the tobacco a chemical taste. Whichever method is used, the lighting of the cigar will employ the same technique.
One starts by warming the cigar. This is done by holding the match, lighter or cedar strip below the cigar without touching the wrapper and rolling the cigar around in one's mouth. Once the wrapper is warm, it is ready to light. Test the wrapper with the fingers to ensure that it is warmed up.
The goal when lighting a cigar is to achieve a temperature sufficient for combustion but not one that is so hot that it ruins the flavor of the tobacco. The cigar should not be plunged into the flame. One simply holds the flame below the wrapper and employs the same technique as was used to warm the cigar excepting that one puffs hard enough on the cigar to draw the flame to the tobacco. This may take a few seconds and, after the cigar is mostly lit, there will likely be some spots that haven't ignited fully. Take the cigar out of the mouth and blow on it to get it burning evenly.
Cigars are not inhaled as are cigarettes. Use short puffs to draw the smoke into the mouth. If the cigar wanes, a little bit of vigorous puffing is usually all that's required to get it going again. A cigar may be extinguished and relit so don't be afraid to put it out if it's more cigar than is desired at one sitting. Properly-lit cigars can burn for a long time and making sure it's done right from the start ensures an excellent smoking experience.
About the Author:
Dave Sabot is the owner of an online store featuring specialty butane lighters and torch lighters.
No comments:
Post a Comment