Lighting a cigar - what does science say?

[surly]

Here's a question for the science crowd here. I'd love to know if there is any scientific evidence for going through a slow lighting ritual as opposed to just getting right to it and torching your cigar until it's lit.

For example, Cigar Aficionado and a thousand other sites tell you to toast and roll your cigar "the same way you would toast a marshmallow over a campfire--keep the cigar above and near the flame, but don't let them touch."

http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/Cigar-101-Cutting-and-Lighting_7447

On the other hand, I've always kind of admired how Laurence Davis just gets in there and torches it right up until it's lit - he does it in every video, like this one for example:

So - is there really any merit to taking a long time to toast and slowly light your cigar as opposed to just firing it right up? Is it bullshit? I mean, lit is lit, right? Tobacco must ignite at a certain temperature, so why does it matter if I toast it? Once lit, how can anything I do before that affect the flavour?

To be honest, I recently started just putting the cigar right to the torch and lighting it up and I can't taste any difference. However I'm perfectly willing to admit I may be a barbarian.

[earthson]

Depends on wind conditions!

[LeafLover]

I don't know about the science, but I like to light my cigars slowly without torching the crap out of the wrapper which I feel has the most flavor. I like the ceremony of it all.

Much like enjoying the lingerie before taking it off.

[JohnS]

I've taken note of the fact that guys who have smoked cigars for years tend to light up like Laurence Davis in the video. Personally speaking, I don't torch close up and I don't roll the cigar around, instead I move my lighter around to get an even burn. The even burn is what I care about.

[soutso]

I don't know about the science, but I like to light my cigars slowly without torching the crap out of the wrapper which I feel has the most flavor. I like the ceremony of it all.

Much like enjoying the lingerie before taking it off.

Each to their own but I think it's brave of you to admit to wearing women's underwear

[Vortigan]

Each to their own but I think it's brave of you to admit to wearing women's underwear

That one just sat up and begged to be hit outta the park,didn't it!

[Maplepie]

Cigar burning = incomplete combustion. Think opium pipe. Opiate compounds disintegrate at temperatures above 80deg Centigrade. Yet people 'smoke' opium with fires reaching 800deg Centigrade. Similar things happen with cigars but instead of morphine, you're evaporating aromatic compounds that also disintegrate above a certain temperature.

Like a 19th century British imperialist in Laos, you have to preserve as much of those sensitive compounds from scorching or you'll be wasting your time - and money.

At the same time as you burn the tobacco, you vaporise the aromatic molecules and draw them into your mouth to be tasted. Burn the cigar too hot (take 5 draws in rapid succession) and you will have scorched the aromatic molecules to just fueling the fire.

So yes. The closest to incomplete combustion is the best - low flame, even flame. Either that, or just a quick scorching. What I've taken to doing is completely blacken the foot with my dual torch lighter and blow on the cigar's foot with my breath in order to get it evenly burnt.

I've also started lighting the cigar BEFORE cutting it on the advice of a very good BotL... But that's a different topic entirely.

[sanity]

Use both methods. I tend to take my time with higher dollar or favorites. When working in the yard or shop, I quick torch the daily smokers.

[LordAnubis]

Burn the **** out of it with whatever means you have available to you I say. I've been known to light up a cigar with a mapp gas torch while at work.

[Maplepie]

Burn the **** out of it with whatever means you have available to you I say.

Well that's not very scientific, now is it, Mus!?!

You just posted my honest opinion on this thread! ):

[Rye]

I am ritualistic.

I love the smelling, feeling, squeezing, clipping, cold draws, toasting, slow lighting, all while anticipating the first lit draw.

I still love, and frequently use the cedar spill method to light. It tastes better to me, if not for the slow ignition, then for the build up and lead to a relaxed state of mind.

If I'm in a hurry, I will not light a cigar.

[LordAnubis]

Well that's not very scientific, now is it, Mus!?!

You just posted my honest opinion on this thread! ):

Cigar smoking is not an exact science

[JohnS]

Coming soon in 2015 from Dupont with a warning that lighting may burn your face!

[Bulldog4]

im with rye i mostly do it the "traditional" way because its relaxing and builds anticipation. but i dont care how you light your gars as long as you enjoy it fook it!

[santela]

I've taken note of the fact that guys who have smoked cigars for years tend to light up like Laurence Davis in the video. Personally speaking, I don't torch close up and I don't roll the cigar around, instead I move my lighter around to get an even burn. The even burn is what I care about.

I'm with you on this one. I can't taste any difference between toasted or not, so all I care about is whether the burn is even. I'm not saying there isn't any difference, it's just that my palate is too dull to notice.

[polarbear]

When it's still I really enjoy the ritual of lighting my cigar with a quality soft flame lighter.

Wen it's windy I just grab my torch and get the party started as fast as I can.

Never really noticed much of a taste difference past the first puff

[Smallclub]

I can taste the difference. I suppose people who "burn the **** out of it" have no problem with the fact that all cigars taste exactly the same during the first puffs when you destroy the foot plus the first 5mm with a hard flame.

btw, Laurence Davis has what we call in french "un physique de radio". I'm not sure that the video compliments him…

[LordAnubis]

I suppose people who "burn the **** out of it" have no problem with the fact that all cigars taste exactly the same during the first puffs when you destroy the foot plus the first 5mm with a hard flame.

I can taste the different flavours just fine with my method.

[Balboa]

btw, Laurence Davis has what we call in french "un physique de radio". I'm not sure that the video compliments him…

Trop drole !!!!

[Drguano]

Much like enjoying the lingerie before taking it off.

You are supposed to take it off?

[Edwhatever]

You are supposed to take it off?

Laurence Davis in lingerie.

Have a great day, you are welcome!

[LeafLover]

Each to their own but I think it's brave of you to admit to wearing women's underwear

Don't knock it until you try it buddy.

[LeafLover]

That one just sat up and begged to be hit outta the park,didn't it!

I know, I know, I walked right into that one. I deserve it.

[Habanos2000]

Again, to each his own. But I do love the "ceremony" of slowing lighting a cigar as opposed to lighting it like a cigarette. I do both, BTW, depending on the circumstances.

[Maplepie]

Coming soon in 2015 from Dupont with a warning that lighting may burn your face!

Oh that reminds me:

In the past, I have indeed taken an oxy-acetylene torch to a cigar before. I think those burn up to 2500deg C (that's a good 2.5x hotter than normal fire). Mind you, it was a while ago and didn't really pay attention to the intricacies.

It may be worth trying again and seeing HOW MUCH of the cigar is burnt upon first torch. I personally still believe that the initial torching will leave the first 3-6 puffs quite scorched.