Newbie questions about lighting the cigar (and more!)

[Zeede]

One of the things I try to do is make sure I start with a completely and evenly lit cherry. After I toast the foot, I will keep turning the cigar around and keep blowing gently on the end to make sure I see orange all the way across.

Usually there's a section that isn't lit on the first try, generally on the periphery. I will focus my torch or lighter on that section and take more puffs.

More often than not, the end of the cigar actually catches on fire! I always blow it out quickly, but nevertheless it happens quite often.

How can I avoid this?

Also, sometimes while I'm smoking the cigar I've noticed that the wrapper turns black and bubbles a bit just ahead of the burn line. Does this mean the cigar is too humid? I've read about blistering, but I'm not sure that is what this is, or what is causing it with some cigars and not others.

[DBragg]

I too stress about my lights. However, If its just a little on the periphery of the cigar, it will usually catch without additional flamage. Take a few casual, normal puffs and recheck. If it hangs too much, I touch it up very lightly. I try to stress less and enjoy more

As far as the burn line, Its fairly normal for there to be a black line just before the ash. I would say that the black line is generally around the thickness of a dime, or about 1/16th to 1/32th of an inch. Are you getting a line much thicker than that?

[Trackmyer]

As a fella who is very ritualistic in my cigar lighting.

I toast while rolling cigar between my fingers. Flame about an inch from touching foot. It will slowly turn grey, after a minute or so of this I will gently blow across the foot to see how much is lit. Then continue with more rolling. Sure it take about 2-4 minutes to get an even ember. But what's that when I'm going to smoke an hour and a half long cigar. I would imagine the end of your cigar is becoming engulfed in fire due to puffing on it with a flame on the foot. Try to light your cigar without sucking fire into it. Just a long toasting. I prefer soft flame, but a torch works too.

I've seen folks in past post that it's not that big a deal on how to light. But to me it is. I didn't pay for quality cigars to treat it like a cigarette. And again, if your about to partake in a smoke that will consume over an hour of time, why rush the first couple minutes?

[Zeede]

As a fella who is very ritualistic in my cigar lighting.

I toast while rolling cigar between my fingers. Flame about an inch from touching foot. It will slowly turn grey, after a minute or so of this I will gently blow across the foot to see how much is lit. Then continue with more rolling. Sure it take about 2-4 minutes to get an even ember. But what's that when I'm going to smoke an hour and a half long cigar. I would imagine the end of your cigar is becoming engulfed in fire due to puffing on it with a flame on the foot. Try to light your cigar without sucking fire into it. Just a long toasting. I prefer soft flame, but a torch works too.

I've seen folks in past post that it's not that big a deal on how to light. But to me it is. I didn't pay for quality cigars to treat it like a cigarette. And again, if your about to partake in a smoke that will consume over an hour of time, why rush the first couple minutes?

Ahh, I stop toasting when speckles turn gray (and of course everything else has turned black). I need to toast for longer.

Yes, I suck on it while putting flame under (never directly touching) the foot. That's how I was taught and that's how I see people do it all the time.

[Zeede]

I too stress about my lights. However, If its just a little on the periphery of the cigar, it will usually catch without additional flamage. Take a few casual, normal puffs and recheck. If it hangs too much, I touch it up very lightly. I try to stress less and enjoy more

As far as the burn line, Its fairly normal for there to be a black line just before the ash. I would say that the black line is generally around the thickness of a dime, or about 1/16th to 1/32th of an inch. Are you getting a line much thicker than that?

Yes, sometimes thicker, like an 1/8th of an inch, and the wrapper has bulged out from the cigar a bit.

I'm not talking about the thin black line that is normal.

[Dijit]

I can tell a definite flavor difference when I take my time and light it properly. However I also at times tend to be an impatient SOB so I hurry every now and again. I toast the foot bearing in mind the word toast. Burt toast is bitter to hot a toast on the cigar can lend to bitter or sulphur undertones late in the smoke. I stop toasting before it is a clear cherry and ash on the foot and begin to draw on it. I do try to avoid the flame coming in direct contact with the foot. Now bear in mind these are my rituals and habits and your mileage may vary. I know people that use nothing but a torch and light it as fast as possible and swear it is fine. I also know those that only use cedar strips to light their sticks and swear everyone that doesnt are idiots. My advice experiment a little find what suits your style, time, and taste and go with it. Who cares what everyone else thinks if you enjoy it that's what matters most.

[Zeede]

Well that's just it, I'm not totally satisfied with it. I have the cigar go out almost every time at least once. But if I smoke faster it turns harsh. It doesn't help that I am at 69% RH, but I have a cube of 65% coming in this week.

I usually find the cigar quite warm 1" from the burn line.

I'm doing something less than optimally, and I want to maximize the flavors of the cigars.

[Emperor Zurg]

Well that's just it, I'm not totally satisfied with it. I have the cigar go out almost every time at least once. But if I smoke faster it turns harsh. It doesn't help that I am at 69% RH, but I have a cube of 65% coming in this week.

I usually find the cigar quite warm 1" from the burn line.

I'm doing something less than optimally, and I want to maximize the flavors of the cigars.

Ya, you just need drier cigars. I had almost the exact same misery when I first started in with premium cigars, either trying to smoke them as soon as they arrived or storing them according to the conventional wisdom of 70% rH. Let them dry out to hopefully around 62~65 and you will be miles ahead. I will add that I tried all the known lighting rituals associated with cigars and it did not help a bit except to give me a better burn for an inch or two... until the tunneling or canoeing would start. I've found that there's a lot of fluff in all the cutting, lighting practices out there. If pomp and circumstance is your thing than go ahead and knock yourself out but I've found that a cigar smoked at around 62% tastes much better, burns much better and I can light it with 1 paper match or a twig from the campfire and all is well. It's just a bundle of leaves after all.

[Zeede]

Yeah, I'm thinking maybe I should just not smoke anything until those come in, then wait a month for the cigars to dry out down to 65%.

[Trackmyer]

I think that's the right track, Zurg hit it on the head. I too think at 65 you will see lot better burn results.