Lighting your cigar - cap uncut or cap cut?

[MichaelJB]

I was watching a short video where the gentleman explained he was shown the "correct" way to light a cigar was with the cap uncut.

The idea behind this was that with the cap uncut there was no airflow through the cigar and therefore no "off" flavours from matches, lighters (gas/kero), or other devices could make their way into the cigar.

So, are you cap cut, or uncut?

[jhalischuk]

I've always cut it, I remember trying that method a couple times and I didn't make a noticeable difference to me. 

[Islandboy]

Interesting, I’ve never even considered lighting an uncut cigar. I definitely employ the cut/puff/flamethrower method of lighting, but then I’m a rather unrefined island boy.

[Chas.Alpha]

Cut. Light. I’ve been wrong before... 😳

[LLC]

26 minutes ago, jhalischuk said:

I've always cut it, I remember trying that method a couple times and I didn't make a noticeable difference to me. 

Same for me, I’ve done it but don’t really see a difference. I think it is more important that you light the cigar properly to get it off to a good start. 

[mrmessy]

If you are not drawing a you light, then cutting or not seems irrelevant.

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[ElJavi76]

I always cut first to test out the draw. If you don't, and I've done it before, and you're plugged things can get messy.

I find that the perfecdraw is at its best when the cigar isn't lit yet. If you pull a bunch of tobacco from the plugged point it's best to push air thru the foot to clear out the inside of the barrel. If you're lit you don't have access to the foot any longer and you end up with tobacco shrapnel all over the place. Draw is too important to skip the cut first. My two cents. 

[Edicion]

4 hours ago, MichaelJB said:

The idea behind this was that with the cap uncut there was no airflow through the cigar and therefore no "off" flavours from matches, lighters (gas/kero), or other devices could make their way into the cigar.

 

[Tdm_86]

It always makes me cringe when someone goes ‘and the correct way to….’ 
 

I like to cut my cigar first to test the draw and possibly correct it.

[MichaelJB]

37 minutes ago, Tdm_86 said:

It always makes me cringe when someone goes ‘and the correct way to….’

Don't get me wrong I don't tell anyone how to do anything, I was just recalling the video I watched

[Duxnutz]

Always toast, wait a sec, cut then light.

[inter4alia]

4 hours ago, ElJavi76 said:

I always cut first to test out the draw. If you don't, and I've done it before, and you're plugged things can get messy.

I find that the perfecdraw is at its best when the cigar isn't lit yet. If you pull a bunch of tobacco from the plugged point it's best to push air thru the foot to clear out the inside of the barrel. If you're lit you don't have access to the foot any longer and you end up with tobacco shrapnel all over the place. Draw is too important to skip the cut first. My two cents. 

Ditto. 

[gustavehenne]

Out of habits I cut first. I wouldn't really mind lighting up an NC cigar given that 9.5/10 the construction is flawless but with a CC it's just too much of a gamble. Way easier to fix the draw before the stick is on fire than after...

[99call]

When considering this I think it's always important to keep in mind technology and advancement.   The introduction of the torch lighter has done away with with the necessity of the 'toast technique'. 

The power of a jet flame, whilst seeming much more dramatic and harsh, is in fact the opposite.   The force of the flame meets the foot of the cigar, and is deflected.  This allows the smoker to accurately, precisely, and most importantly quickly light a cigar without having to draw on it. 

For me soft flame toasting is often referenced (wrongly) as some sort of advanced afficianado technique.   Ultimately distance toasting with a soft flame or a cedar spill became a thing because, lighting a cigar directly with such a flame often leads to a poor partial lighting of a cigar, or scorching the side of the wrapper.  Toasting is not a fancy thing rather, trying to get around an imperfect technology. 

I think not cutting a cigar before toasting, was just an extra layer of myth laid on top of the toasting technique.  The idea that you were somehow priming the cigar or what-not.  to me.... is just hokum. 

Everyone should do what they feel comfortable with.  but to my mind the torch lighter simply solved the problem, and did away with the imperfect toast technique. 

All that said, sometimes ritual can be its own sense of enjoyment for people,  if the practice in itself is a source of enjoyment to you ......you crack on

[Tdm_86]

3 hours ago, MichaelJB said:

Don't get me wrong I don't tell anyone how to do anything, I was just recalling the video I watched

I wasn’t referring to you, but to the guy in the video you watched 😄

[Monterey]

We overthink this hobby.

[Ford2112]

Cut. Test draw. Light. Keep it simple.

[smbauerllc]

Interesting.
Never heard of this before.

I have never had any issues using a butane triple flame torch to light with the capp cut and puffing while lighting. Initial taste is the same as it is after lighting.

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[Chibearsv]

Thankfully I'm not the connoisseur that others on this forum are.  I mean that by saying that my palate isn't sophisticated enough to find any difference in cigar lighting method to flavor/cigar enjoyment.  I definitely punch or cut and re-cut if necessary to get the draw comfortable before lighting.  I also enjoy the cold draw of a really good cigar for quite a while before I light 'em up.

[smbauerllc]

Thankfully I'm not the connoisseur that others on this forum are.  I mean that by saying that my palate isn't sophisticated enough to find any difference in cigar lighting method to flavor/cigar enjoyment.  I definitely punch or cut and re-cut if necessary to get the draw comfortable before lighting.  I also enjoy the cold draw of a really good cigar for quite a while before I light 'em up.

Same with my palate. I never taste the various things others taste in their cigars with the exception of earth, wood, leather, grassy, metallic, and mustyness.

Never any of the food flavors others describe

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[Enduin]

It seems to me that lighting a cigar before cutting it comes with several disadvantages and zero advantages in modern times:

Cons:

- can't test the draw and if too tight you can't correct it as efficiently with a PD

- can't taste the pre-light flavors

- for people like me who smoke outside, I like to know if the cigar has an acceptable draw before going out so I don't have to come back inside to get another cigar in case it's bad

Pros:

- don't get off-flavors into the cigars, but what off-flavors do you get from a modern torch lighter loaded with highly purified butane?

 

With that said to each his own.

[smbauerllc]

It seems to me that lighting a cigar before cutting it comes with several disadvantages and zero advantages in modern times:
Cons:
- can't test the draw and if too tight you can't correct it as efficiently with a PD
- can't taste the pre-light flavors
- for people like me who smoke outside, I like to know if the cigar has an acceptable draw before going out so I don't have to come back inside to get another cigar in case it's bad
Pros:
- don't get off-flavors into the cigars, but what off-flavors do you get from a modern torch lighter loaded with highly purified butane?
 
With that said to each his own.

Good points.

I agree 100% with everything.

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[Cigar Surgeon]

That video might have been mine. I've been using the light then cut method for 8 or so years now. 

Edit: and in my video I make it clear several times that the correct way to enjoy a cigar is the way you decide, lest people be offended by me providing an unsolicited opinion. 

 

[smbauerllc]

That video might have been mine. I've been using the light then cut method for 8 or so years now. 
Edit: and in my video I make it clear several times that the correct way to enjoy a cigar is the way you decide, lest people be offended by me providing an unsolicited opinion. 
 

@Cigar Surgeon


Have you honestly noticed any difference in lighting uncut?

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[Cigar Surgeon]

5 minutes ago, smbauerllc said:

@Cigar Surgeon


Have you honestly noticed any difference in lighting uncut?

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Yes.

Prior to that I'd say there was always a bit of harshness or sharpness to the first half inch I smoked. Since the majority of the cigars I smoke are for review, my goal is to have as neutral an environment as possible.

Edit: But as I say in my video, it's not about what I taste, it's about what you taste. Try it yourself on a cigar you smoke regularly and see if you notice a difference.