Relighting Your Cigar: A Step-by-Step Guide

Relighting a cigar properly is crucial to ensuring that you experience a similar flavor and aroma to when you first lit your cigar. If not relit correctly, your cigar can develop a bitter taste, burn unevenly, and overall ruin your smoking experience. It's a simple process that only involves a few items to execute. While we here at CI do not prefer relighting our cigars (as the cigar could taste rancid regardless of proper relighting), following these steps will give you the best shot at enjoying your premium cigar every time!

What do I need to Relight a Cigar?

Two items are required to properly relight your cigar:

1. A high-quality butane torch lighter - we recommend the Xikar Hedron lighter.
2. A cigar cutter - preferably a Guillotine cutter like the HERF travel cutter.

How to Store a Partially Smoked Cigar

Properly storing a partially smoked cigar is essential to ensuring a favorable smoking experience when you relight it. Make sure the cigar is cooled down completely before storing it, otherwise you run the risk of trying to relight a damp and bitter cigar. Use a high-quality, airtight container such as a resealable plastic bag or a dedicated cigar tube (something separate from your main humidor or stash) to maintain the cigar’s humidity levels. For optimal results, place a small humidification device or a Boveda humidity pack in the container.

How to Relight a Cigar

Clear the Ash - The best way to relight a cigar starts with clearing the ash from the foot of the cigar. This is important, as leftover ash can influence the taste and prevent an even burn. Start by using a sharp cigar cutter to remove any frayed or burnt edges from the foot of the cigar. This ensures a clean and even surface for relighting, promoting a smoother and more even burn. Carefully slice off just enough of the damaged end to expose fresh tobacco, avoiding cutting too much to prevent altering the cigar's draw. Once the ash is removed, blow gently through the cigar to expel any stale smoke that may have accumulated. This helps to ensure that your next draw is fresh and free from any bitter residue.

Light it up - Using your butane torch lighter of choice, relight the foot of the cigar. When relighting, hold the cigar at a 45-degree angle and rotate it to ensure an even burn. Make sure you relight the cigar gradually, allowing the end of the cigar to heat up properly without scorching the tobacco. Avoid relighting a cigar that has become too short. When a cigar is relit at a short length, the burn can become uneven, and the flavor may turn harsh and bitter due to the proximity of the flame to the mouth.

Relighting a Cigar in the Elements

Relighting a cigar in different conditions can present unique challenges, but understanding how to adapt to these environments can ensure a pleasurable smoking experience no matter where you are.

Relighting your cigar in the snow

• It's crucial to keep both your cigar and lighter dry. Moisture from the snow can dampen the cigar, affecting its flavor and ability to stay lit.
• Use a high-quality butane torch lighter, as it is more reliable even in cold temperatures.
• Choose your cigar carefully as Connecticut and Cameroon wrappers have the potential to crack in cold air.
• Pre-warm your cigar in your hands or in a warm environment before lighting it to help maintain an even burn.

• The primary challenge is maintaining a consistent flame. Find a sheltered spot to shield your cigar from direct wind exposure. When using your butane torch lighter, create a barrier with your hand or another object to prevent the wind from blowing out the flame.
• Holding the cigar at the right angle and carefully rotating it can help achieve an even relight despite the wind.
• Patience is key—take your time to ensure the entire foot of the cigar is lit uniformly.

Sign up for our cigar of the month club and receive a delicious variety of premium cigars hand-picked by our expert staff every month for your enjoyment. Try them in one shot or start them and save them for another time now that you know how to properly relight your cigars.