Few things are more annoying than a cigar burning unevenly. Most of us have been there before: you’re relaxing, enjoying a smoke, only to realize that part of your cigar has started burning slower. An unsightly protrusion of half-charred wrapper is left where there should be ash, and now you have to quickly torch the unburned areas to try and salvage your cigar. How does this happen? And, more importantly, how can it be prevented? Let’s run through some of the common issues to avoid.

Improper Storage

Sure, not everyone has the budget or the cigar collection to justify a humidor, but if you can’t stand an uneven burn, you should really look into getting one. A cigar that spends significant time in any atmosphere other than room temperature and 70% humidity risks burning poorly. It’s also worth noting that a humidor isn’t like a toaster. You can’t take a cigar that was just shipped in freezing temperatures, throw it in a humidor for a few minutes, and expect it to be ready to smoke. Cigars need to be in an optimal environment for a few days before they’re at their prime.

Uneven Lighting of the Cigar

We don’t want to point fingers here, but the issue could always be how you first lit the cigar. Sometimes in our eagerness to light up, we cigar smokers don’t take the time to ensure the foot of the cigar is thoroughly lit. “It’s fine,” we tell ourselves, “I’ll just keep pulling on it until the cigar has a nice healthy burn.” Well, sometimes that isn’t the best strategy. Take the time to rotate the cigar as you light it, ensuring the flame is applied to every spot on the foot.

Poorly Rolled Cigars

One of the characteristics that separates premium cigars from cheap smokes is that they are each rolled by hand. Generally speaking, this translates to a higher quality product that is produced with the utmost care. Of course, humans also make mistakes. There may be inconsistencies with the tobacco leaves used or the way the cigar was rolled. All you can do is adjust the burn as you smoke.

Be prepared for the next time you encounter an uneven burn with a torch lighter. Torch lighters are more precise than basic lighters, allowing you to singe the exact area that isn’t burning.