How to cut and light a cigar

A great cigar can smoke badly if it's cut too deep or lit in a hurry. Both take about a minute to get right.

The cut

The head is the end you put in your mouth, and it's closed with a small round cap of wrapper leaf. The goal is to open the cap without cutting into the body of the cigar, where the wrapper can start to unravel.

• Straight cut: a guillotine cutter takes a thin slice off the cap. Cut just above the shoulder, where the cap starts to curve.
• Punch: a small round blade bores a hole in the cap. It works on most round-capped cigars and keeps loose bits of tobacco out of your mouth, but it won't work on a torpedo or other pointed head.
• V-cut: a notch across the cap that opens a deep channel. It suits larger ring gauges.

Start small. You can always cut a little more, and you can't put tobacco back.

The light

Use a butane lighter, a wooden match or a cedar spill. Skip petrol lighters like a classic Zippo, because the fumes end up in the smoke.

Toast the foot first: hold the flame just off the end and turn the cigar until the whole foot glows evenly. Then bring it to your mouth and draw gently while you turn it over the flame. An even start makes an even burn.

The pace

A puff every minute or so keeps it lit without overheating it. Smoke too fast and the cigar turns bitter and hot. A good ash helps the cigar burn cooler, so let it build and tap it off gently once it's about an inch long.

Relighting

If it goes out, blow gently through the cigar to clear stale smoke, knock off the loose ash, and toast the foot again before you draw.