The History

The history of spills, cedar spills and lighting cigars.

A spill is a slender piece of wood or twisted paper, for lighting candles, lamps, campfires or fireplaces. Before more modern inventions such as lighters and chemical matchsticks, a cedar spill was the traditional method to light a cigar.

Wood of various lengths, thickness and species were torn into narrow strips and lit with whatever flame source was handy. Cigars were slowly roasted and toasted, allowing the oils and water within the tobacco leaves to slowly smolder, ignite and reveal almost immediately the full flavor and aroma of the cigar.

Regardless of what method you use to light your cigar, take your time when doing so.