Lighting a Cigar...Which Apparatus Do you Choose?

When is comes to lighting a cigar, everyone has their preferred apparatus and technique. Through the years I have experimented with matches, cedar, butane torches and Zippos. Matches are nice because they have a soft, cool flame which doesn't burn the cigar too fast. You rotate the cigar while slowly drawing the flame into it. The only problem with matches (and cedar) is that if you purge the cigar slightly, the flame will blow out and you will have to light another match which is a pain. Butane torches allow for precise aim and fast lighting but if you are outside (and who isn't these days) it is hard to see the small blue flame and one would have a tendency to over light or cook the cigar. I have always liked using Zippos and for a while, I used the Z-Plus butane insert that converts it to a torch. But these days, I have gone full circle and use a stock Zippo with it's soft, cool flame to light all of my cigars. Unlike the match and lit cedar, if the flame goes out, a quick flick and it re-lights. Some people think that the lighter fluid taints the cigar, but I have never tasted any fluid in my cigars. So, which ever method that you choose to light your cigar, light it even and don't cook it.

Chas

Smok'em if you Got'em