For all the newbies out there who may be venturing into the wonderful world of cigar appreciation – or for those who just look plain silly lighting a cigar and don’t know any better – we’re offering a 101 lesson in cigar lighting. The proper care and lighting of a cigar is important to the overall smoke experience. Think of the lighting as the catalyst to a rich sensory experience. You want to make sure you not only get it right, but understand why it’s so important in the first place.

First: handle your cigar gently. Remember that your cigar is wrapped in tobacco paper and that this outer covering will absorb any chemicals that it comes into contact with. Whatever is absorbed into the tobacco leaf will alter the taste of your cigar. Keeping this in mind, consider your flame of choice. Matches made with sulfur materials or anything other than a butane lighter will release chemicals in the flame that will transfer onto the tobacco wrapper of your cigar.

With flame in hand, hold the cigar end to the fire making sure to rotate it a few times before puffing. This action works to warm up the cigar end prior to actually lighting the stogie; it preps it for the actual lighting. With your cigar properly primed, go ahead and begin puffing while rotating the cigar and holding it to the flame – but not inside the flame.

You’ve invested time in selecting the right smoke, and you’re expecting a great experience – don’t put a stink on it by lighting your stogie improperly. For more great reading about lighting your cigar, or just excellent reading while puffing, check out: CigarHandbook.com.