The proper way to light a cigar?!?!?!?!

The torch lighters work best. Matches suck on it and of course it depends on how fat the cigar is. You need a steady flame to light it up evenly and makes it easy to rotate the cigar evenly so it burns evenly. (key word is EVENly)Sajedene

I am guessing you guys who say no difference are not cigar aficionados no? Sajedene

But does it affect the taste at all?TorpidStarch

[QUOTE="Sajedene"]I am guessing you guys who say no difference are not cigar aficionados no? wagexslave

Some people insist it makes a difference but most don't believe it does and if it does they don't care anyway. I think it's just a myth. MagnumPI

Using a lighter will leave the taste and odour of the fuel on the tobacco. However, butane lighters burn without an odour or taste and are perfect for lighting a cigar. In fact they're preferred by many as it makes lighting your cigar much easier in a light wind.

As for the actual lighting of the cigar, you want to "toast the foot" using the indirect heat of the flame as you turn the cigar. This will make the cigar light evenly when you finally put the flame directly to the cigar and inhale. Turning the cigar occasionally while you smoke will also help to encourage an even burn. An uneven burn can often be messy, and believe it or not does effect the taste.

Using a lighter will leave the taste and odour of the fuel on the tobacco. However, butane lighters burn without an odour or taste and are perfect for lighting a cigar. In fact they're preferred by many as it makes lighting your cigar much easier in a light wind.

As for the actual lighting of the cigar, you want to "toast the foot" using the indirect heat of the flame as you turn the cigar. This will make the cigar light evenly when you finally put the flame directly to the cigar and inhale. Turning the cigar occasionally while you smoke will also help to encourage an even burn. An uneven burn can often be messy, and believe it or not does effect the taste.

Robertoey

[QUOTE="MagnumPI"] Some people insist it makes a difference but most don't believe it does and if it does they don't care anyway. I think it's just a myth. Sajedene

Is this sarcasm or a stupid question? I never said those elements didn't exist. Just because something is present doesn't meant you will taste it. I suppose if you dip the cigar in said elements before smoking you'll notice a difference.

I've heard it all before most people don't care enough to notice the difference IF it's significant enough to be worthy of being defined as a difference. People are full of trivial theories that revolve around results that would be trivial if they exist.

Believe whatever you want. Personally I am not nor do I know anyone who is this fanatical of cigars. That's why most people just light them with whatever. It's trivial.

I can't tell anyone what they are going to taste. And I can't tell if a person tastes something because they actually do or if they believe they are tasting because someone put the idea in their head. Maybe only those with an exceptional sense of taste will taste it.

What Sajadene has said is correct. Matches is not the best way to light a cigar, but traditionalists still prefer them to lighters. I actually buy matches that are slow-burning at the cigar shop in SF I frequent. It does it's job well enough for me to light up a double corona, churchill and even torpedos and pyramids. But then I've been an aficionado for over decade now so I've had ample experience using matches to light up cigars.

I still own a triple-flame Colibri butane lighter which works just as well and lights the cigar faster. I usually will use the lighter when I know I'll be lighting a cigar out in the public where wind and sometimes rain may prevent me from using my matches. I do know that if you can light one of the larger gauge cigars with a match and do it so evenly then you are one expert smoker.

[QUOTE="Sajedene"][QUOTE="MagnumPI"] Some people insist it makes a difference but most don't believe it does and if it does they don't care anyway. I think it's just a myth. MagnumPI

Is this sarcasm or a stupid question? I never said those elements didn't exist. Just because something is present doesn't meant you will taste it. I suppose if you dip the cigar in said elements before smoking you'll notice a difference.

I've heard it all before most people don't care enough to notice the difference IF it's significant enough to be worthy of being defined as a difference. People are full of trivial theories that revolve around results that would be trivial if they exist.

Believe whatever you want. Personally I am not nor do I know anyone who is this fanatical of cigars. That's why most people just light them with whatever. It's trivial.

I can't tell anyone what they are going to taste. And I can't tell if a person tastes something because they actually do or if they believe they are tasting because someone put the idea in their head. Maybe only those with an exceptional sense of taste will taste it.

One can actually taste certain notes and flavors when smoking a well-kept and lit cigar. Drinking coffee or any sipping alcohol will also enhance the flavor. The rough, chemical and ashy taste comes about when the person treats a cigar like its a cigarette and puffs away every few seconds or so. The taste is there if you let your palette do its job in detecting them.

The correct way to do it is to light it with PURE EVIL.

PURE EVIL!

It does limit the opportunities to smoke a cigar but it si worth the wait. Smoke a cigar lit by PURE EVIL and you'll never go back.

using a magnifying glass to obtain ultimate flavor.

I will say that to me the proper way to light a cigar is to have a fine, young lady who is doing bottle service for me at a cigar club lighting up my cigar for me. :D

Remember in Hellboy (the movie) when that one guy tells Hellboy not to light cigars, not with a lighter, but a match? Does it really affect the taste of the cigar? Is this only noticeable with nice cigars? Thanks!TorpidStarch

Bill Clinton hada 'Monica' technique for his cigars :P