Past few cigars havent lit in the middle

[misterbulgarin]

Ever since ive been using matches my cigar lighting technique, evidently, has been poorer (compared to a normal lighter). I hold the match an inch or so away from the cigar (about 45 degrees angle) and puff and rotate it. This method has served me well since ive been smoking since feb 2007. But for some reason the last few smokes have been not lighting properly in the middle.

When the ash breaks off there's a 'point', clearly the outside is burning faster and the inside is not catching up. This produces some very hard going draws, and is not fun to smoke. I had a Dom Ramos churchill today and I got really annoyed as its the first smoke in a long time and I was looking foward to it. Right away the draw was poor (heh), after the first clump off ash fell off, I cut the end off and retried. Slightly better, however nearer the end just after half way, things were picking up thankfully, and the last half or so was lovely.

I would say 'what tips do you have' but its not like I havent lit many great cigars, but these last few have been weird. Perhaps because the match flame doesnt last long, Im rushing it a bit?

Im gonna buy a piedra on saturday and do a test with some'a your guys tips, hopefully!

[bigbarneyhotdog]

I use torch lighters to get one going, gently heat around the edges then light the innards without actually touching the flame to the cigar. A gentle blow to ensure that it's all lit and then leave for around 30 -40 seconds before drawing. Works for me.

[ACMCC]

Hi Misterbulgarin, I've found that I get this if the centre is at a higher humidity, if I have removed a cigar to smoke from the humi and then bean distracted and spark it an hour or two later, the wrapper has dried slightly and then burns faster than the centre.
If I have to mess with this burn it starts going this way so I smoke it much slower and it corrects it self a bit, you may be too close with the match, which would then heat and dry the wrapper! this could also happen if there is a vein in the centre of the filler, if the filler has bean bunched with no angle on the leaf, more age tends to alleviate this as the vein is then fully fermented, although this is only a maybe - others may have better experience with this problem....

[Simon-JG-hr]

Good video, SS - highly recommended.

I think the series of videos on the CA website are very well produced. I spent a night a few weeks ago watching them all.

[Seriesteve]

Not sure where I've read it but I believe this is a good sign when this happens, I have tried various Cigar Forums that I have visited but can't verify it yet, I'll keep looking.
Anyway I believe its called "penciling" and the few times it has happened with me I had no issues with the draw and been happy with this shape of ash.
Dont think you're doing anything wrong when you're lighting it with the match but as you say it does'nt produce the same heat as a lighter.
Try doubling or tripling up the matches or try this... as per Video Link attached
Hope this helps

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1312377041?bclid=1078629812&bctid=1315783144

SS

[cj121]

Must be an echo 'round these parts with those three posts SS

MrB, those sticks look poorly

[Simon-JG-hr]

It's the sad face, isn't it.

[cj121]

It's the sad face, isn't it.

LOL, yeah Simon, even it's ickle eyes look sad

[misterbulgarin]

wow those vids are making me want another smoke. that cigar lounge in NY looks amazing

I always thought you had to puff while rotating and lighting. Ill try just holding it in the flame and rotating then takin a puff to see if its fine.

[cj121]

Delete this post please Mods

Sorted SS

[Simon-JG-hr]

Wow, that's weird reading this thread back now. I must have psychic powers or something... I just knew SS was going to post a CA vid...

[SteveGriff]

I think it was Hamlets that were the first brand to issue a sad face on their labels...

[G-man]

U are dead on !

I use torch lighters to get one going, gently heat around the edges then light the innards without actually touching the flame to the cigar. A gentle blow to ensure that it's all lit and then leave for around 30 -40 seconds before drawing. Works for me.

Usually I toast the foot till its a cherry glowin red. A slite draw and let it rest for as much a 5 minutes. This seems to avoid the canoeing and tunneling. I believe its the way a cigar is rolled and U aren't doing anything wrong. Try useing the cedar from the tube or devider as a torch.