Lighting Up
Welcome to 2021 – what lies ahead is anybody’s guess.
But what I can say is that those of us/you who enjoy the company of a good cigar should have plenty of opportunities to do just that – enjoy a good cigar.
Even if you have to do it on your own, in your own home.
At least you will be able to remove your facemask.
Another “welcome back” goes to Swedish Match for their Cigar and Pipe matches being available. Perfect for the true traditionalists in both fields of tobacco enjoyment, to use to fire up their tobacco hobby.
Since many of our new cigar smokers may not have had the opportunity to try a cigar match to light up a smoke,
now’s the time.
The following is roughly taken from a previous blog on the subject.
The theory behind the process of lighting up is that, since a premium hand-rolled cigar is usually slightly moist, you need to evaporate the juices at the foot of the cigar until the cigar starts to burn on its own.
- This should be done by holding the cigar at a slight angle, around 45°, above the flame (not in it).
Hold it as close as you can without charring the foot.
- Steadily rotate the cigar while applying the flame so that the foot lights evenly from the perimeter inwards.
- When it has started lighting, turn the cigar so you can see the foot, and blow gently onto it. This will enable you to identify any parts of the foot that are not yet alight and need more attention.
- Back to lighting – again rotate the cigar above (not in) the flame, concentrating more on those parts that hadn’t lit up on the first try.
- When you feel that the foot is fully alight, take the first draw.
Then re-check the foot, and re-apply the flame if necessary.
So much for the theory – what are the options?
Matches – they should be longer and thicker than those used for a cigarette. You may even need more than one.
Watchpoint: Before lighting, allow the flash on lighting the match to finish, and so avoid a “sulphurous”
first puff.
Wooden Spill – or break a strip from the cedar sheet inside the cigar box. Light it – it provides a good flame with
the right aroma. You could light it from the dinner table candle. (It’s not a great idea to light your cigar
directly from the candle, traces of wax could affect the flavour of your cigar.)
Butane gas lighter – That’s a good choice: the gas is odourless and tasteless. The size of the flame is easy to
control, it should be large enough to cover about half the foot of the cigar.
Turbo flame butane gas lighter – This is almost mandatory in windy conditions, acting like a miniature
blowtorch. The flame is very strong and hot, and more care is required when lighting to ensure you
don’t char the foot of the cigar, causing a “burnt” taste.
Liquid fuel lighters - Zippo and others. You can depend on these in the wind or rain – for rugged reliability
nothing can beat them. But the fuel may impart a, possibly unacceptable, taste to your cigar. As the rim of
the foot of the cigar starts to ignite blow gently through the cigar to remove any lingering fumes.
Read what Zippo has to advise.
When your cigar is completely alight, sit back, draw regularly, concentrate on the flavour and aroma, and relax.
You’ll be glad to know that Cigar matches are available again.
And for the special offer this time we have a new Single-jet Turbo lighter – R190.00
Lovely looking, and comfortable ergonomic design. Made to fit into the hand so that
when you light it,
it is less likely to slip and possibly drop.
25% off the price of the Single-jet Turbo lighter - Model 55-EJ059
Normal price R190.00
January 21 – February 3, 2021
Only from Wesley’s Shops and Online |
Let’s start 2021 in the right way – cigar wise.
Enjoy your cigars.
Colin Wesley
No.486 January 14-27, 2021
All previous blogs are archived in the Library, by date and by subject.
A visit will allow you to choose from any of the more than 400 blogs to read or re-read at your leisure.
Note:
By law, no South African citizen, living in South Africa can buy a tobacco product via the internet or postal system. In fact, you may not receive a tobacco product through the post.
In addition we may not receive payment through the internet for tobacco products.
We may only supply tobacco products within the trade – not to private individuals. The fine is substantial
Contact us for help in getting tobacco to your area. |
(ZAR)
