Smoking a
cigar is an enjoyment full of rituals. From its selection and conservation
until the last puff is finished, the experts offer precise indications in order
to obtain the greatest satisfaction from the experience, without anything
spoiling it.
Lighting is
one of those rituals. Bringing the cigar to your lips and simply inhaling the
smoke would be sacrilege. It is necessary to know how to light it because
incorrect ignition affects combustion and is capable of causing uneven burns or
frequent shutdowns.
The first
thing many expert smokers do to get a better light is to heat the tobacco. It
is enough to bring a flame to a certain distance and slide it gently throughout
the cigar, for a few seconds. With this, the transmission of the flavor
throughout the cigar will be achieved, without interference.
The flame
to light the cigar must come from wooden matches or gas lighters, because
gasoline lighters or candles can alter both its aroma and its flavor. The end
of the cigar should be lit evenly throughout its diameter, applying the flame
so that it forms a right angle with it, while turning slowly and steadily. That
slight movement will allow the end of the cigar to ignite evenly while the
smoker gently inhales so that the combustion spreads. To continue lighting it
is necessary to keep rotating the cigar and sucking the smoke gently so as not
to overheat the tobacco and prevent the wrapper from burning.
The greater
the gauge or thickness of the cigar, the longer the time required to light it.
In addition, it may happen that they turn off before they are finished. When
that happens, the ash that has not fallen must be removed and the process
repeated again.
Even using
the right lighter, some specifications need to be taken into account: when
lighting with matches, wait for the head of the match to burn completely before
placing the flame on the cigar, to avoid contaminating the smell of sulfur that
is given off. And if you use a gas lighter, you should keep the flame as far
away as possible and avoid touching the cigar because it could give off an
unpleasant charcoal smell.
It could be
said, in short, that the key to a perfect lighting is to do it slowly so that
the tobacco does not get too hot and acquire a bitter taste. This requires the
smoker to have a lot of patience and avoid very strong and continuous puffs.
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