Soft Flame vs Torch Lighters: Which Is Better for Cigars?

Lighting a cigar may seem like a menial task. After all, it's just applying a flame to a stick of tobacco, but its one of the most important steps in the smoking experience. The way you light your cigar directly impacts factors like flavor, burn quality, and even how approachable the ritual feels, especially for beginners.

Two main tools dominate the cigar world for lighting your cigar. Soft flame lighters and torch lighters. Some enthusiasts swear that soft flame lighters are the only way to go, and other aficionados will tell you that torches are just so much better. We say that both have their own place within the realm of enjoying cigars, but understanding the differences can elevate your experience from the first spark to the very last draw.

Now that we're heating up, lets break it down.

Before we explore the two lighting options that cigar enthusiasts utilize, we need to understand why there is so much emphasis on lighting a cigar.

A poorly lit cigar can lead to:

• Uneven burns (canoeing)
• Harsh or bitter flavors
• Constant relighting
• A frustrating overall experience

A proper light ensures:

• Even combustion across the foot
• A smooth, consistent draw
• Full flavor expression from start to finish

Learning to properly light your cigar helps build the base for an enjoyable experience. Do it incorrectly and you'll wish you took the time to read this blog post before you sparked up and wasted your favorite stick.

Soft flame lighters produce a gentle and natural flame, similar to candles or matches. The flame measures in at about 1400°F, about half the temperature of a torch lighter. This makes them much more forgiving, making it harder to scorch your tobacco that would otherwise result in bitter or harsh flavors. Let's examine the benefits of soft flame lighters.

Soft flames heat the tobacco gradually, offering a controlled manner to lighting your cigar. This helps maintain the flavor profiles the blender intended, allowing for better flavor transitions and is important for premium cigars with nuanced blends.

The cooler flame gives you more control during the lighting process. It is easier to toast the foot of the cigar evenly without accidentally charring one spot, leading to a consistent burn from the start.

Lighting a cigar with a soft flame lighter brings a traditional, ritual-like feel to the process. Before torch lighters existed, cigars were always lit with gentle flames, requiring a slower, more deliberate approach. This method encourages you to take your time, evenly toast the foot, and fully engage with the moment, something purists enjoy about the cigar smoking process.

You are less likely to burn your tobacco too aggressively, which can introduce unpleasant and unintended bitterness.

Windy days become your worse enemy when trying to use a soft flame to light your cigar. Even a light breeze can skew your flame and heating away from the cigar or even put out your flame entirely.

If time is of the essence for you, lighting with a soft flame can feel like an eternity, especially after you've mastered lighting with a torch. If you're in a hurry, a soft flame lighter will feel inefficient and tedious.

The flame from a soft flame lighter can be broader and less focused, sometimes flickering as you light. This can make it slightly more challenging for beginners to control.

Torch lighters use liquid butane to produce a high-temperature jet flame, creating a precise and concentrated heat source that's ideal for evenly lighting a cigar.

If you want to learn more about torch lighters, check out our guide: Finding your Flame: A Love Story in Four Different Torch Lighters.

Torches light cigars quickly, making them ideal for smokers who want a consistent light without the wait.

Smoking outdoors isn't an issue. Whether its a light breeze or a light gust, torch lighters are perfect and deliver intense heat whether you're on the golf course, patio, or beach.

The concentrated flame from a torch lighter allows you to target specific areas of the cigar, helping achieve an even burn with less guesswork.

Thicker cigars benefit from the extra heat, ensuring the entire foot ignites properly.

Torch flames are extremely hot. Holding the flame too close or for too long can scorch the tobacco, leading to bitter or harsh notes.

Without proper technique, it's easy to rush the process and compromise flavor.

Some smokers find torches less "romantic" compared to the traditional soft flame experience.

• Soft Flame: Allows subtle flavors, ideal for complex or delicate cigars.
• Torch: Can slightly mute or alter flavors if used too aggressively, but when used correctly, still delivers excellent results.

• Soft Flame: Encourages a slow, even light but requires patience.
• Torch: Easier to achieve an even burn quickly, especially with proper technique.

• Soft Flame: More forgiving, encourages learning the ritual.
• Torch: Easier in practice (especially outdoors), but requires awareness to avoid overheating.

• Soft Flame: Relaxed, traditional, ritual-driven.
• Torch: Modern, efficient, practical.

It really comes down to how and where you smoke.

• Smoke indoors or in calm environments
• Value flavor purity and tradition
• Enjoy a slower, more ritualistic experience

• Smoke outdoors frequently
• Want quick, consistent results
• Prefer convenience and reliability

Many seasoned cigar smokers actually keep both at hand.

No mater which lighter you use, proper technique is key:

1. Toast the foot first (without touching the flame directly)
2. Rotate the cigar evenly
3. Take gentle puffs while finishing the light
4. Check for an even burn before settling in

Even the best lighter can't compensate for rushed lighting.

There shouldn't really even be a debate between soft flames versus torch lighters. It's more about the preference and context. Even if I was a big proponent of soft flame, I'd look at you like you were dumb if you handed me matches on a windy day. That being said, I do believe a soft flame brings out the artistry of cigar smoking, while a torch delivers consistency and ease.

The best choice is the one that fits your environment and enhances your enjoyment.

If you're new, try both. You'll quickly discover which one fits your lifestyle and thats when the experience really starts to come together.