What is the best way to light a cigar?

The short answer is: Slowly, and with little heat.

The heat generated by a match or a normal gas lighter is sufficient to light a cigar. This does, however, require a certain amount of patience. Again and again, one sees smokers with a cigar in their mouths holding a jet-flame lighter very close to the end of the cigar and puffing away furiously. The heat resulting from this is definitely too much for a cigar. The tobacco burns too hot, and the taste will become bitter. It can then take several minutes for the cigar to cool down. This effect is aggravated if the smoker persists in drawing frequently and violently on the cigar.

Ideally, the flame should heat the cigar without actually touching it, but that requires a lot of patience and practice. If you've yet to get the knack of this, a gas lighter or matches offer an alternative to the searing hot, blue flame of the jet lighter. They do not produce enough heat to turn the cigar bitter, though you should still avoid drawing on the cigar at the same time.

The end must be lit evenly, across the full diameter of the cigar. By blowing gently on the burning end, you can check to ensure that it has been lit in its entirety. Begin by heating the edge, lighting the wrapper and binder. The binder in particular has good burning properties which help light the filler and achieve an even burn.

If the cigar has gone out, repeat the process after first removing all the ash, if it hasn't already fallen off on its own. The ash protects the embers of the cigar so trying to light a cigar with ash on the end takes longer and it will be more difficult to get an even burn.