Questions You Thought Were Too Dumb to Ask

[Chadderkdawg]

Does a lighter REALLY affect the taste of my cigar? (More of a general noob question)

[stonecutter2]

Does a lighter REALLY affect the taste of my cigar? (More of a general noob question)

If we're talking butane, I'd think not really - once the cigar itself is lit enough, it will do its thing. However, depending on whether you use a single torch, soft flame, triple torch, that might impact how the cigar initially smokes/tastes until it works itself out.

Now, if we're talking a Zippo lighter or something that uses lighter fluid, then I think that can impart a flavor, at least for the first few draws.

[OldSkoolTarHeel]

Does a lighter REALLY affect the taste of my cigar? (More of a general noob question)

A lot of people will tell you that it doesn't, and I used to agree with them. Until the day I tried to smoke an LFD after lighting it with a Bic. Maybe it was because I was outside and couldn't get it lit very well very quickly, but I DEFINITELY tasted the lighter fluid in that cigar. It was a terrible taste. With that said, if I were indoors and able to light it quickly, I'm not sure I would have tasted it nearly as much. Also, once it's really going, you probably won't taste it anyway.

[garublador]

A lot of people will tell you that it doesn't, and I used to agree with them. Until the day I tried to smoke an LFD after lighting it with a Bic. Maybe it was because I was outside and couldn't get it lit very well very quickly, but I DEFINITELY tasted the lighter fluid in that cigar. It was a terrible taste. With that said, if I were indoors and able to light it quickly, I'm not sure I would have tasted it nearly as much. Also, once it's really going, you probably won't taste it anyway.

My understanding is that Bic lighters use butane just like torch lighters. It's Zippos or other lighters that use a wick rather than a jet that use naphtha fuels that impart a different flavor.

[bobajob]

My understanding is that Bic lighters use butane just like torch lighters. It's Zippos or other lighters that use a wick rather than a jet that use naphtha fuels that impart a different flavor.

...and by different, you mean like sucking on a gasoline hose. Bleurgh!

[bobajob]

Does a lighter REALLY affect the taste of my cigar? (More of a general noob question)

If you use a zippo or a candle, you will get a petrol/paraffin taste permeating the whole cigar. It's nasty.
If you heat the foot too strongly or scorch the wrapper, you might notice some strong bitterness/burn taste but it will usually go away once the cigar cools a little. YMMV.