One of the first lessons novice cigar smokers have to learn is that lighting a cigar is a lot less simple than it seems. While lighting a cigarette is straightforward – you take the flame, light the right end of the stick, take a drag and start smoking, cigars are a bit more involved. For cigars, making sure to use the proper method to light a cigar is key to getting a enjoyable smoking experience. One of the most important steps to this is making sure that no outside flavors make their way onto your palate and this starts with the type of lighter you use.
One of the first things you will notice is that using cheap gas station lighters will create a foul taste that spoils your cigar experience. This is because the lighter fluid that comes in these lighters produces vapor that seep into the cigar itself. This makes for a less enjoyable cigar smoking experience and is a key reason why regular lighters should never be used on cigars.
Instead, you should use a butane lighter when lighting a cigar. Butane is a fuel that does not affect the taste or aroma of the tobacco during the lighting process. Butane lighters also come in a torch form, making it easier to quickly and evenly light a cigar, even where you are smoking a freshly rolled cigar where the tobacco may still be a bit damp. Butane lighters come in all shapes and sizes, so we have put together a list of the 5 best cigar lighters for you budding cigar aficionados.
Best Mid-Tier Cigar Torch: Xikar HP3 Inline Triple Flame Cigar Lighter
Xikar delivers with a a solid quality torch with great design and durability that will not break the bank. This handsome lighter comes with a view port so you can easily see how much butane you have remaining and also comes with an oversized adjustment wheel located at the base of the lighter to let you fine-tune your desired flame height. Inline triple jets make it easy to achieve a clean and even light of your cigars.
While there are options on the market that are either more luxurious or less expensive, this Xikar delivers with high quality lighter at a reasonable price.
Best Single Torch Cigar Lighter – S.T. Dupont MaxiJet Cigar Ligther
The S.T. Dupont is easily one of the best cigar torches that you will find available. The Maxijet is one of the their more economical offerings, as the company produces several other models that easily cost several hundred dollars.
The Maxiject is an extremely handsome model that comes in both Matte Black and Red and a traditional black. It is also hits the fine balance of being lightweight while still being hefty enough to feel good in your hand. It also has some other favorable features: including a fuel gauge to know how much butane you have left and s very smooth action to activate the lighter.
Best Tabletop Cigar Torch: Xikar Volta Quad
Xikar is one of the top manufacturers of cigar torches and lighters so it is no surprise that they return to our list more than once.
The Volta Quad is an amazingly sturdy and sleek table top lighter that I recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy a cigar smoke with buddies on the back of a deck on a summer evening. Visually it is one of the most attractive tabletop cigar lighters on the market, and comes in a range of colors.
Functionally, there is nothing to not like about this model. It comes with a large push button igniter that opens the top of the torch, exposing for powerful jets. It has a large butane reservoir and comes with both the fuel gauge and ratcheting flame adjustment wheel that you would expect from a lighter of this quality.
Best Low Cost Lighter: Vertigo Cyclone
The cigar lighter I take when I am traveling or visiting a cigar bar. This is a no-frills model that works well enough that you will always be happy with its performance, while being economical enough that you won’t be too bothered when it walks off after a night out with the boys. Also comes in a pack of three – because Vertigo knows exactly why this lighter is the one you will reach for.
The Cyclone also has all of the features that you would expect in a cigar torch: powerful triple flame torch, see-through base to monitor your butane level, and a easy to use flip top cap and push button ignition.
Best Luxury Cigar Lighter: S.T. Dupont Ligne 2
While S.T. Dupont has models more expensive than the Ligne 2, it is still one of the best high-end cigar lighters on the market.
This model is handmade in France and are available with a variety of finishes including the metal version displayed here. The S.T. Dupont Ligne 2 has a distinctive sound when it’s opened that will be unmistakeable after you hear it for the first time.
While this is one of the more luxury cigar torches on the market, we have yet to hear of anyone who was not satisfied with this purchase.
Cigar 101: How to Light Your Cigar
For those making the investment in a cigar lighter, it will be helpful to really understand how the pros light their cigars to ensure a clean even burn. Check out this video below from the pros at Cigar Aficiando for tips and tricks on getting your cigar lit just right.
Bottom Line
There are tons of options for great cigar torches on the market for every investment level, so we encourage you to order one or two to see what best fits your style. Cigar torches can be quite the personal statement and a great way to express personality and individuality, as well as lighting an amazing cigar.