For more than a decade, the cigar accessory world has been dominated by horsepower.
Triple-jet torches. Quad flames. Aggressive ignition systems that look closer to welding tools than luxury objects. Speed became the selling point — light fast, burn hot, move on.
But as we move into 2026, the trend is reversing.
Across cigar lounges, collector circles, and premium retailers, the industry is witnessing a clear shift: the return of the soft flame — and with it, a renewed appreciation for elegance, patience, and mid-century design.
This isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.
It’s a correction.
Below, we break down why jet torches are taking a back seat, and why the vintage soft-flame revival is defining the next era of cigar culture.
Trend 1: The Slow Burn & Flavor Preservation
The biggest driver behind the return to soft flames is simple: taste.
A modern jet torch burns at nearly 2,500°F. While undeniably efficient, that level of heat can shock the foot of a cigar, scorch the wrapper, and char the tobacco before the first draw. The result is often bitterness — a carbonized flavor that masks the blender’s original intent.
A soft flame — whether flint gas or petrol-based — burns significantly cooler and more controllably.
Instead of incinerating the tobacco, it allows the smoker to:
-
gently toast the foot
-
caramelize natural sugars
-
ease into combustion evenly
In 2026, the “slow burn” isn’t a technique anymore.
It’s a preference — flavor over speed, ritual over efficiency.
Trend 2: Mid-Century Design & the Prince Revival
Design trends move in cycles, and lighters are no exception.
The industrial, tactical look that dominated the 2010s is giving way to mid-century modern aesthetics: smooth curves, balanced proportions, visible mechanics, and honest materials.
At the center of this revival is the Prince lighter.
Rather than “retro-inspired” reinterpretations, these are authentic Japanese designs returned to production. The iconic Prince Dolphin, with its signature curved body and visible “eye” gas window, has become the visual symbol of the soft-flame movement.
It delivers modern reliability — but looks like it belongs on a 1960s executive desk, not a construction site.
This is design with intent, not decoration.
→ Explore the Prince Collection
Trend 3: Audible Luxury & the Return of Mechanical Sound
Luxury isn’t only visual.
It’s sensory.
Collectors are increasingly drawn to lighters that feel and sound mechanical — not disposable.
The Maduro M1/M2 Series exemplifies this shift. Crafted from solid brass and precision-tuned, these lighters produce a clean, resonant “cling” when opened. It’s not accidental. It’s engineered.
That sound communicates weight, quality, and permanence — something plastic jet lighters simply cannot replicate.
In 2026, a premium lighter isn’t silent.
It announces itself.
Trend 4: Heirloom Quality & Japanese Craftsmanship (Sarome Tokyo)
The era of disposable tools is fading.
Today’s serious smokers are investing in heirloom pieces — lighters designed to be serviced, repaired, and passed down rather than replaced.
This is where Sarome Tokyo stands apart.
Handcrafted in Japan since the 1940s, Sarome specializes in traditional flint ignition systems. Unlike piezoelectric “clickers” found in most torches — which eventually fail and cannot be repaired — flint systems are timeless.
Replace the flint.
Refill the gas.
The lighter works — indefinitely.
It’s sustainability through craftsmanship, not compromise.
The Verdict: 2026 Is About Soul, Not Speed
If the past decade was defined by power and efficiency, 2026 marks a return to meaning.
Soft flames. Solid brass. Japanese craftsmanship.
These aren’t trends driven by marketing — they’re driven by experience.
The modern cigar enthusiast isn’t in a rush anymore.
They value the ritual, the sound, the weight, and the moment before the first draw.
Lighting a cigar is no longer just a step.
It’s part of the ceremony.
Explore the Soft Flame Collection
Curated vintage-style and soft-flame lighters built for flavor, ritual, and longevity.
