I saw a briar cigar in action couple weeks ago. The feller professed to like it very much, but he was always fiddling with it and re-lighting it. I enjoyed a bowl of Captain Cool in the time he farted around with that ridiculous thing - seems he never got more than a few sips per light.
Having said that, this guy is a pretty fussy smoker anyway, always tamping and picking. Makes me tired to watch him. So, my observations might be a tad biased.