The end of the cigar that you light is called the foot, which is the open end where the filler tobacco is exposed. The opposite end, placed in the mouth, is the head, which must be prepared before smoking.
Understanding the Cigar’s Ends
A cigar is composed of three main parts: the foot, the head, and the cap. The foot is the open end where the lighting process is focused to ensure an even burn across the tobacco leaves. This end exposes the filler tobacco, which determines the cigar’s flavor profile.
The head is the closed end placed between the lips for drawing smoke. It is sealed by the cap, a small, circular piece of tobacco leaf applied during rolling to secure the wrapper and prevent unraveling. The cap must be removed to create an opening for the smoke to pass through.
Preparing the Cigar for Smoking
Before lighting, the sealed head of the cigar must be opened to allow for a proper draw. The cap acts as a seal and must be cut to create an aperture for airflow, as an uncut cigar will not allow smoke to pass through.
The most important rule when cutting is to remove only the cap, not the shoulder of the cigar, which is the point where the cap meets the main wrapper leaf. Cutting past the shoulder risks causing the wrapper to unravel, which can ruin the cigar’s structure and lead to an uneven, hot burn. Common tools for this preparation include the guillotine or straight cutter, the punch cutter, and the V-cutter, each offering a different style of opening.
A straight cutter removes a thin, clean slice of the cap, while a punch cutter creates a small, circular hole, and a V-cutter slices a wedge into the head. The choice of cutter affects the draw, with a smaller opening from a punch cut often resulting in a tighter draw and a more concentrated flavor. Regardless of the tool used, the goal is to create a clean, unobstructed channel for the smoke without compromising the cigar’s structural integrity.
The Proper Lighting Technique
Igniting the foot requires the correct tools to ensure the tobacco’s flavor is not tainted. Butane torch lighters are widely recommended because butane is a clean-burning, odorless, and flavorless fuel. Acceptable alternatives include cedar spills or sulfur-free wooden matches, which also burn cleanly.
The first step is to “toast” the foot by holding it just above the flame without direct contact. The cigar should be rotated slowly until the entire surface of the foot is evenly charred and begins to glow slightly. This process uses the heat to dry and warm the tobacco, preparing it for a uniform burn and preventing the wrapper from scorching.
Once the foot is toasted, the final ignition can begin by placing the cigar in the mouth and holding the flame near the foot while taking slow, gentle draws. The cigar must be rotated continuously during this step to ensure the entire circumference of the foot catches the ember evenly. The goal is to draw the heat into the cigar, igniting the filler, binder, and wrapper simultaneously.
After the cigar appears lit, check the burn by gently blowing on the foot. A properly lit cigar will show a uniform, cherry-red glow across the entire surface. If any dark, unlit spots remain, briefly apply the flame to those areas to correct the burn and ensure consistent temperature and flavor.