The Ultimate Guide to Cigar Accessories
Introduction:
With our Ultimate Guide to Cigar Accessories, we will breakdown everything you need to know to maximize your enjoyment and knowledge of premium cigars. With terminology definitions, answers to common questions, behind-the-scenes insight, and expert recommendations, Cigora’s guide will serve as your one stop shop for all things accessories.
This article outlines the best cigar accessory loadout. We’ll walk through different cigar cutters and lighters. Then, we’ll dip into finding the perfect cigar ashtray and travel case. At the end of this article, you'll have the knowledge to choose the best cigar accessories, ensuring you’re ready for your next cigar night.
Looking for something specific? Jump to any section below to learn more:
Cigar Accessory Basics:
First up, let’s talk about what you need to enjoy a cigar. At the most basic level, all you truly need is something to cut the end of the cigar, a flame to light it, something to ash in, and (most likely) something to carry your cigars. You could do this with your teeth, a Bic lighter, an empty can, and an old Ziploc bag… but we’re looking for accessories that are going to enhance our enjoyment, and that won’t get the job done.
So, what do you need? We recommend a few simple guidelines to follow when selecting your cigar accessory loadout.
For a cigar cutter, you want something sharp and reliable that can handle multiple shapes and sizes. For a lighter, you’re going to want a high-quality butane lighter with (likely) more than one flame. Both recommendations are based on the idea that you’ll be enjoying cigars of varying ring gauges. A single flame torch is a great tool, but if you’re about to light up a 56-ring blend, you’ll want a little more power. Next up, you’ll want an ashtray that can handle multiple cigars, and that can take a little bit of a beating if it sits outside. Finally, for a travel case, you need an option that will protect your cigars and stop them from getting crushed or damaged in travel.
These recommendations are built with enjoying cigars with your friends or family in mind – for example, a single-finger ashtray will not do the trick if multiple people are using it. Similarly, you’ll be disappointed the first time you throw a cigar in your bag, only to find it crushed or damaged when you get where you’re going.
Fortunately, we have provided a few of our top picks that will get you on the right path quickly.
The Best Cigar Cutters:
Before we get into the recommended cigar cutters, let’s quickly talk about the different styles of cigar cutters you can find.
The most common style is the guillotine. Available in either a single or double blade, these cigar cutters look like their namesake and can be found in almost every cigar shop around the world. When dealing with guillotines, and most cutter styles, you’ll want to pay attention to what materials are used in the build. More affordable cutters tend to use plastic housing and cheaper, thinner blades that will dull over time. A great cigar cutter is going to have an all-metal body, and stainless steel or Damascus steel blades.
The V-Cut or “wedge” cutter is another popular option. Instead of creating the straight cut of a guillotine, v-cutters make a notched hole (like a “v”) in the head of the cigar to create airflow.
Punches are the other frequently used cigar cutter style and work differently than the previous two options. A cigar punch does not cut the cap off a cigar. Instead, the punch is inserted into the head and twisted carefully to create a small, circular opening that you can draw through.
For our recommendations, we’re going to stick with the guillotine cutter. Specifically, we suggest a dual blade guillotine. Single-blade cutters work in a pinch, but since one of the blades on a single-blade cutter is stationary, you may find you split your cap or unintentionally damage your cigar if you do not cut quickly or precisely enough.
Why a guillotine over a v-cutter or punch? It all comes down to versatility. With a v-cutter at hand, you may struggle to enjoy cigars with odd shapes like perfectos or torpedos. With a punch cutter, torpedos again pose a problem. Additionally, punch cutters tend to struggle with very skinny cigars (where the force of the punch can split the cigar) and with very thick cigars (where a single hole may not give you enough of a draw). With a dual-blade guillotine at hand, you can cut any style of cigar exactly to your liking.
We recommend the Xikar XO and the Xikar Xi2 as the best cigar cutters right now.
The Xikar XO gets our top recommendation spot due to the unique “planetary gear system” in the blades. This gear system ensures the blades open and close in perfect harmony for a buttery smooth cut every time. The all-aluminum body is rugged and durable, and the stainless-steel blades can cut thousands of cigars without dulling. I’ve been using an original XO cutter since 2018 to cut anywhere from 2 – 14 cigars a week, and it’s just as great now as it was on day one. The only downside to this cutter is that it’s slightly “deeper” than most guillotines, so you need to ensure you’re lining up your cut correctly. Use it once or twice, though, and this becomes second nature.
Our second recommendation goes to the Xikar Xi2. This is the classic “tear-drop” design from Xikar, and one you’ve likely seen countless times before. The Xi2 is a more pocket-friendly option, as it’s much flatter and lighter than the XO. The base here is made of a nylon fiberglass with a metallic finish. The blades are everything you expect from Xikar – stainless steel and hardened to a Rockwell C rating of 56. The Xi2 struggles to cut cigars over a 56-ring gauge, but if you’re only ever smoking cigars at a 54-ring or smaller, you’ll find a perfect companion here.
The Best Cigar Lighters:
Cigar lighters are where the options can get truly overwhelming. From the old-school match to the Zippo, the Bic, a $10 torch lighter, $200 table models, and everything in between, picking a reliable lighter can be truly head-spinning. Thankfully, we’ve done the work for you and can narrow down your choices.
Here’s the criteria we’re looking for when selecting the best cigar lighter.
- We want a butane fueled torch lighter. Let’s be clear, there’s nothing wrong with other methods, we just find the torch lighter the most reliable. A match or soft-flame lighter doesn’t stand up well to windy conditions and while the sound of a Zippo opening is great, the lighter fluid a Zippo uses can impart a foul flavor to the beginning of your smoking experience.
- We want to be able to adjust the flame easily. This is key to ensure you’re not scorching the wrapper of your cigar as you toast the foot, and you’ll find yourself tweaking it often. Additionally, the Cigora team prefers an oversized flame adjuster. This is a wheel you can easily grab and manipulate, instead of the traditional model which will require some sort of tool to adjust.
- Similarly, we’re looking for a lighter with a nice fuel window. The window is going to allow you to see how much butane is left in your lighter immediately. It’s not necessary, but there’s nothing worse than heading out somewhere with a few cigars in tow only to realize your lighter is out of fuel when you get there.
- Reliability and consistency. It should go without saying, but we want a lighter that’s going to light every time with minimal fuss. You may think that’s par for the course, but our team has used tons of lighters over the years that don’t meet the mark.
So, what lighters do we recommend that fit the criteria? Right now, our favorite lighters on the market are the Xikar Tactical Series.
Let’s start with the big boy: the Xikar Tactical Triple. Introduced a few years back, the Xikar Tactical Triple features an in-line triple-flame jet that makes toasting any cigar a breeze and offers precision to boot. You’ve got the large flame adjuster and the fuel window we’re looking for, plus a few other features. There’s a low-profile pocket/belt clip (which is removable if that’s not your thing) and the flame itself is wind-resistant and rated up to 12,000 ft of altitude. In short, unless you’re trying to light your cigars on top of Everest, the Xikar Tactical Triple is going to get the job done.
We also like the follow-up offering from Xikar: The Tactical Single. The window and oversized adjuster are the same as the original model, but the Tactical Single swaps out the triple flame for an over-sized single jet. This flame is 25-50% wider than the standard single torch lighter, making the Xikar Tactical Single capable of handling thicker cigars as well as skinnier sizes like a corona or lancero. Plus, the top of the lighter has contours allowing it to work as a cigar rest in a pinch.
Add in the fact that both lighters carry Xikar’s lifetime warranty, and you’ll find a reliable companion in either Tactical choice.
But that’s not all — we’ve got a bonus recommendation for you today. Here’s the deal: the Xikar Tactical series is a great choice 90% of the time… but you’d sure be upset if you left this thing at the golf course or dropped it in the lake. So, what we need is a back-up lighter: something reliable and affordable that isn’t going to break the bank if it goes missing.
Enter the Vertigo Cyclone II. For under $10, this little guy has everything we need. The whole tank is translucent, so you can see how much butane is available. You’ve got a triple-flame torch, an oversized adjuster, and easy single-action ignition. In our testing, the Cyclone isn’t quite as reliable or fuel efficient as the Xikar Tactical options. But, if you need a couple extra torches to keep in the car or the golf bag, the Cyclone II is a good look.
The Best Cigar Ashtray:
While a great cutter and lighter are obvious choices to up your cigar game, you may be a little confused as to why we’re talking about an ashtray. But let us assure you: we’ve gone through dozens of different models over the years and have come to the determination that a great ashtray is just as important as any of your other cigar accessories.
There are a few features we’re looking for in a good ashtray. Up first, we want an ashtray with “fingers” – and most likely one with multiple fingers. The finger of an ashtray is the divot in the rim of the bowl where you can rest your cigar. We’re also looking for something with 2-4 fingers instead of just one. Even if you smoke cigars alone most of the time, you’ll want an ashtray that can accommodate multiple sticks for when the occasion arises.
We also suggest a metal ashtray. This is certainly not a requirement, but in our testing the metal ashtrays tend to hold up the best over the years. Plastic and neoprene ashtrays tend to stain or fade as you use them. Ceramic certainly holds up well but is still liable to staining from the heat of a lit cigar. Glass is the second-best choice in our minds – the only downside there is if you drop it, you might break it.
Finally, we want something with a large and deep bowl. The reason for this is simple – if you’re going to enjoy a bunch of cigars back-to-back, or you have multiple people using the same ashtray, you don’t want to have to empty it every 45 minutes.
The recommendation here is easy. We highly recommend the HERF Signature Ashtray. On the rim, you’ll find four cigar rests capable of holding 60-ring cigars with ease. The small bumps in the fingers ensure a nice grip on the cigar, so it won’t roll to the side when you put it down. The bowl itself is a foot across and a couple inches deep, allowing it to hold the ash of multiple sticks. In the center you’ll find a small, raised piece which is perfect for rolling the ash off your cigar (pro tip: “tapping” the ash off the end increases the chance of cracking your wrapper). Plus, the durable cast aluminum body and powder coated finish makes this thing immune to damage.
The Best Cigar Travel Case:
For our travel case, the choice is much simpler. We’re happy to recommend the Herf-A-Dor Travel Humidor. For size, go with whatever you think you’ll use most consistently, but we prefer the 10-capactiy model.
The Herf-A-Dor is crafted from a crush-proof, reinforced ABS frame that ensures it will not get damaged no matter where you throw this in your car or bag. The case is also airtight and watertight, meaning your humidity will stay inside, and outdoor moisture will keep out. To clarify – that watertight seal is going to hold up to spills or rain, but we wouldn’t recommend submerging your case underwater. With 8” of length on the interior, the case can also hold almost any size cigar you throw at it.
We like the 10-count model as the two rows of foam make an easy way to carry your cutter and lighter. Just chuck them into the bottom of the Herf-A-Dor, throw your foam layer on top, and store your cigars above. If you’re packing for a long trip or want to take a ton of cigars with you, check out the X40 model. A cigar briefcase, this Herf-A-Dor model can carry a couple boxes worth of cigars and has a pressure gauge at the front that makes it great for flying.
If you’re looking for something a little more stylish, the new HERF Adventure Pod is a fantastic upgrade. This model is made with the same reinforced ABS plastic frame as the original Herf-A-Dor, so you won’t have to worry about your cigars being cracked or crushed. Additionally, the HERF Adventure Pod is designed to hold 60+ ring gauge cigars in the base model, so when they say, “10 cigar capacity”, they mean it. Finally, the HERF Adventure Pod swaps out the traditional foam disk humidifier for a built-in, roof-set “cage” that will house any humidification of your choice, like a 60-gram Boveda pack.
Either of these options will ensure that you’re set up to take cigars with you on your next vacation or BBQ. Just don’t forget to bring a couple extra for your friends.
Wrapping Up:
There you have it, our exhaustive list of our staff’s favorite cigar accessories. If you’re interested in any of the items above, feel free to browse our complete selections here.
As always, if you have a question, you’d like us to answer, or a future topic for a Cigora article, let us know through a comment on this post.
2 Comments
