1.  Use cedar matches, if possible.  If you prefer to use a lighter, make sure it’s butane lighter to avoid strong odors.

2.  Warm the open end of the cigar (aka ‘the foot’ of the cigar) slowly over the flame, without touching it to the fire.  Let a black ring form around the end.

3.  Place the cigar in your mouth and draw in slowly.  Hold the cigar over the flame, about half an inch above it, again without touching.  Continue to draw in until the cigar draws the flame.   Turn the cigar slowly, spinning it to establish an even burn.

4.  Once your cigar is lit, take it out of your mouth and observe the burn you have established.  If the burn appears to be uneven, simply blow on the unlit sections to draw the burn, and then take one or two draws from the cigar to reestablish an even burn.

Cigar lighters are much more involved than cigarette lighters.  They often have built in cutters or punchers or tools that are used when smoking cigars than your run of the mill bic at the gas station has.  Cigar lighters usually come on a keychain too so you aren’t as apt to lose it.  I know that may sound kind of kid-ish or dumb, but they still look high class, so no worries.

Cigar lighters comments can usually be found online at any site that actually sells the lighters and there are also reviews sites that you can read comments at.  Your best bet is to search for lighters online or actually start by searching for user reviews or ratings, then once you find one that meets all your needs, you can buy from the same place that the person with a good review did.  Then you’re guaranteed to have just a good of experience.

Click here to buy a Xikar cigar lighter…

Cigar lighters with punch allow you to more accurately cut the cigar, or handle the punching process.  If a cigar is cut correctly, it tastes much better when you are smoking it.  As you know, most people smoke cigars for the flavor, so this is a very big deal.  If you cut one wrong, you could totally ruin the experience.  If it is someone’s first time smoking a cigar, they could decide to never do it again, just because the cigar wasn’t cut correctly.

You can get a cigar punch cutter that isn’t also a lighter, or that isn’t a key chain and they all work the same.  It will fit perfectly in the palm of your hand regardless of the added features it has.  It is just more convenient and you aren’t as likely to lose it if it is serving more than one purpose.  Giving a gift of a lighter with a built-in punch is always a good idea for the cigar fanatic in your life!