Flame on! Without that bitter aftertaste...

Ever since we saw George Clooney turn a standard-issue Zippo lighter into a fashion statement in the 1998 crime caper Out of Sight, we wanted one for our own Zino-lighting pleasure -- the only problem being, of course, that doing so would imbue the taste of our painstakingly grown and hand-rolled stick with that not-so-lovely lighter-fluid tang.

But now Zippo, in its infinite mercy, has bestowed upon the cigar smokers of America a stylish butane lighter: the Zippo Blu. Taller and slightly more rounded than the classic edition, it nonetheless features the company's distinctive flight-wheel ignition, married to patented two-stage burner technology -- all the better to light your smokes sans aftertaste. A clear window in the side reveals fuel level, to avoid any marathon smoking session mishaps. Zippo also allows you to select from a variety of finishes to suit your style, whether it's low-key (perhaps the $47.95 dusted-chrome edition) or Liberace (the Golden Hologram Zippo Blu, plated in 18-karat gold, $69.95).

And of course, it wouldn't be a Zippo without the hinge's distinctive click.
zippoblu.com

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