A great cigar can be ruined by a bad cut or an uneven light. Fortunately, both are easy to get right once you know what to look for. Here's a straightforward walkthrough for cutting and lighting any cigar like a pro.
Step 1: Cutting the Cap
Every cigar has a cap at the head that needs to be removed before smoking. A straight or guillotine cutter is the most common and foolproof option: place the cigar so you're cutting just above the cap's shoulder, leaving enough of the cap intact to hold the wrapper together, and cut in one clean, quick motion. Cutting too much off can cause the wrapper to unravel, while cutting too little makes for a tight, difficult draw.
Step 2: Toasting the Foot
Before lighting, hold the cigar at a 45-degree angle just above the flame (a butane torch or wooden match both work well) and rotate it slowly to toast the foot evenly without touching the flame directly. You'll see the edge of the tobacco start to glow and darken evenly around the circumference.
Step 3: Lighting the Cigar
Once the foot is toasted, bring the cigar to your lips and take slow, gentle puffs while rotating it and keeping the flame just below the foot. Check that the light is even all the way around; if one side is lagging, touch it up before moving on. Avoid inhaling the smoke into your lungs — cigars are meant to be tasted and enjoyed in the mouth.
A Few Extra Tips
Let the ash build up naturally rather than tapping it off too soon — a longer ash actually helps keep the burn cool and even. If your cigar starts to burn unevenly (called canoeing), gently touch up the slower side with your lighter. And if it goes out, simply relight it the same way you started.
Need the right tools to get started? Check out our selection of cutters, torch lighters, and other cigar accessories, or browse our full cigar collection to find your next smoke.