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Last post 14 months ago by Jakethesnake86. 71 replies replies.
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serious (hopefully) discussion of large ring ga sizes vs smaller,
triodes Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 06-02-2013
Posts: 565
I have been a large ring gauge smoker for some years.

Hanging around here, and after a recent thread that basically dogged big ring sizes, caused me to revisit the subject.

So, I bought some smaller ring gauges and have more waiting several weeks resting from shipping before smoking.

I think I understand at least somewhat why some folks like the smaller ring gauges.

Several of the comments in a previous thread were

"they dilute the flavor profile so much, makes everything seem mild"

"Most of those big honkers are just big airballs!"

After trying a few robustos, making a few somewhat direct comparisons, I believe I understand at least part of what is being said by those who like smaller smokes.

There does seem to be more flavor, although less smoke.

I have a large mouth, often do things in a large way, and yes if you really must know, I've got a big ****** too.

Big ring gauges feel quite comfortable to me, easy in the hand, easy in the mouth and I am quite comfortable with my sexual identity (which is hetero) so various comparisons to phallic symbols and pole smoking are irrelevant to me.

Small cigars seem dinky to me.

However, I am intrigued enough by the flavor profile of smaller ring sizes to start trying more of them.

The only real problem I see with smaller gauges, is not as much smoke as I would like. So, if I double puff, the cigar seems funky too soon .

I have learned a lot from you guys, and am somewhat surprised at the negativity express at larger ring gauges. IMO, one of the better smokes around is a La Gloria Cubana Series R, in 7 x 58, really nice flavor.

However, now that is has been brought to my attention, I am enjoying the flavor of some smaller ring gauges. While really nice, there often is just not enough smoke to suit me.

I'm thinking that the smaller cigar, has a more intense and hotter burn which often causes a different flavor profile.

With this thread, I hope some discussion will ensue as to various reasons why the sizes seem to taste so different.

Ken
wheelrite Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 11-01-2006
Posts: 50,119
Ken,,,

you do know Broads prefer large Gauge...
opelmanta1900 Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
from what I understand the majority of the flavor of a cigar comes from the wrapper.... smaller ring gauge equals higher wrapper to filler ratio... the logical conclusion is that a smaller ring gauge provides more flavor....

robertsccr5 Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 09-13-2012
Posts: 2,314
obviously to make a larger ring guage, the blender adds more filler...do you really think they're adding the most expensive and flavorful filler? No, they're adding some fluff filler to the blend. So not only is the wrapper to filler ratio affected in large ring guage cigars, the blend is skewed to make it large as well.
Abrignac Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,182
Ken check this thread. Smoke a few that have repeat recommendations. Thank me later.
triodes Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 06-02-2013
Posts: 565
Abrignac wrote:
Ken check this thread.


ummm, link?
Abrignac Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,182
dpnewell Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 03-16-2009
Posts: 7,491
From what I've read, and maybe I'm wrong, many blenders start off perfecting their blend with something around a corona size. Then they tweak the blend, for the larger sizes. If you really want to taste what the blender intended, you should try the corona (if available), and then go from there. Personally, I prefer coronas, robs, and sometimes a small torpedo. I'm getting to the point where I don't buy much of anything larger then that.
gae9jang2j Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 12-13-2012
Posts: 5,612
+1 I'm in the same boat as dp thnx to dp. One of his older threads introduced me to the world of smaller RG
sd72 Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 03-09-2011
Posts: 9,600
Is this for real?
JKilburn Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 10-19-2011
Posts: 1,461
gae9jang2j wrote:
+1 I'm in the same boat as dp thnx to dp. One of his older threads introduced me to the world of smaller RG

+1 Only been smoking a cpl years and have yet to enjoy a large rg compared to a smaller rg. Smoke output isn't real high of importance for me either and I don't honestly know how that makes a cigar better or worse.
Palama Online
#12 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,373
Ken;

PM sent.
shaun341 Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
I smoke mostly 50 rg and smaller and never had a problem with smoke output. I do enjoy a few in larger rg like the JDN I prefer grab consul. But I still consider the smoke output the same in the larger rgs as the smaller.
shaun341 Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 08-02-2012
Posts: 8,826
Oh and a 58x7 that would take me 3 days to smoke that's another reason I go smaller on rg. I like my smokes to be about 1 to 1.25 hours.
smokestaxx Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 01-27-2012
Posts: 4,214
Triodes, smoke a Surrogate Animal Cracker. Its a 60 and its good.
dpnewell Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 03-16-2009
Posts: 7,491
triodes wrote:

I'm thinking that the smaller cigar, has a more intense and hotter burn which often causes a different flavor profile.



Not if you smoke it correctly. To really enjoy a smaller cigar, you have to take it easy. I used to smoke them too fast, and didn't enjoy them at all, because they would get hot and harsh. When I finally learned to slow down, and take my time, a corona lasted as long as a churchill used to, yet was far more enjoyable. This hobby is about relaxing, and smoking a smaller ring gauge at a slower pace, helps one to relax more.

If you're going to double puff robs and coronas, you may as well stay with the big ring gauges, because you're not going to enjoy them.
tonygraz Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,148
I like the medium ring sizes, tho I find myself moving to larger ring sizes. I like a 50 and larger doesn't bother me. I'm not sure how many big rings are great cigars, but there are a handful or more I can think of. I'm not much of a fan of coronas, but this winter it might be a good idea to stock some. I had a little LFD early this summer that was rather impressive.
deadeyedick Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 16,915
dpnewell wrote:
From what I've read, and maybe I'm wrong, many blenders start off perfecting their blend with something around a corona size. Then they tweak the blend, for the larger sizes. If you really want to taste what the blender intended, you should try the corona (if available), and then go from there. Personally, I prefer coronas, robs, and sometimes a small torpedo. I'm getting to the point where I don't buy much of anything larger then that.


This may be true for some blenders but there are more and more cigars on the market today that don't even offer a corona vitola. RG has been getting larger for years even in Cuban cigars. Personally, I prefer something in between the extremes like a toro and feel that rg arond 46-52 gives the blender the ability to offer different tobaccos to add complexity.

The 60 rg seem too big but not because they are all air balls as some have said. There are many that have great flavors and strength.

I'm not a big fan of the other extreme lanceros for the same reason but that vitola when smoked slowly is the best if you want to taste only wrapper and not the art of the blender.

DED
euodias Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 10-16-2009
Posts: 1,467
If you dial back the humidity in your humidor, you may find you get better smoke output from your small ring gauge cigars. Even a LP9 won't give you much smoke if its over humidified.

I think some of the old cliches about larger ring gauge cigars aren't as true any more. Blenders like EPC are doing a much better job at blending to the ring gauge. 6x60s used to be this gonzo line extension but a lot of blends are now conceived from the ground up to work at large sizes. Filler doesn't *have* to be low quality, just expect to pay for the quality. When your 7x77 double compensator vitola only costs a buck fifty more than a corona, you should be worried.

That side, I'd still rather smoke two coronas than a double corona 90% of the time.
Bones33 Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 08-08-2013
Posts: 238
I like every size smoke. What's the big deal? Every cigar has its own atributes. Granted, some are better than others , but I don't understand what's the big deal. Some large ring smokes are great and some suck. The same with smaller ring cigars. Expand your horizons for God sakes. This point is mute.
delta1 Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,733
The larger ring gauge cigars don't fit my mouth and lips as well. Being a former cigarette smoker probably has something to do with how I keep my jaw closed/teeth clenched when I puff on a cigar. The larger RG's make me open my mouth/jaw wider, which feels a little unnatural and affects how my lips purse around the cigar.

There have been a few 60+ RG cigars that I've tried which delivered great flavor: EPC Inch, Pedro Martin Fiera 6x60, and the Perdomo Grand Cru Corojo. I would buy some more of the latter two, if I could find them at dpnewell prices.
TheSmokensip Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 03-02-2013
Posts: 1,329
I dunno it seems that some blends tend to loose a little something when at 60 gauge. Off the top of my head is the Aging Room M356 , smoke a Presto then smoke a Major... the presto shines.. the major just doesn't. IMO
robertsccr5 Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 09-13-2012
Posts: 2,314
A great example is Genesis the Project. The robusto is an amazing blend and IMO the best of that line. It has a lot of excellent creaminess, earth, cocoa type flavors and a unique nutmeg flavor. However, the 60 is just flat and not much flavor at all. I've had several and they're just not the same.
triodes Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 06-02-2013
Posts: 565
dpnewell wrote:

If you're going to double puff robs and coronas, you may as well stay with the big ring gauges, because you're not going to enjoy them.


Not going to double puff them, going to try more of them and started the thread to learn more about the differences.

Bones33 wrote:
Expand your horizons for God sakes. This point is mute.


I am expanding my horizons. Hence this thread to learn more. I have been trying some new smaller sizes and wished for some discussion in order to learn more.
triodes Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 06-02-2013
Posts: 565
TheSmokensip wrote:
I dunno it seems that some blends tend to loose a little something when at 60 gauge. Off the top of my head is the Aging Room M356 , smoke a Presto then smoke a Major... the presto shines.. the major just doesn't. IMO


Actually, I remembered seeing you or someone post a comment on these lines, and when lost a bid on a five pack of one of the smaller sizes of Aging Room M356 (don't recall which) the only other AR M356 five pack up was a Major, and I didn't bid on it.

I've picked up some Samplers that are of various sizes of the same blend in order to try some of the various sizes.
TheSmokensip Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 03-02-2013
Posts: 1,329
triodes wrote:
Actually, I remembered seeing you or someone post a comment on these lines, and when lost a bid on a five pack of one of the smaller sizes of Aging Room M356 (don't recall which) the only other AR M356 five pack up was a Major, and I didn't bid on it.

I've picked up some Samplers that are of various sizes of the same blend in order to try some of the various sizes.

Well try and keep in mind bro that's simply my opinion. You may love the Major.fog

Opinions vary greatly on these boards, and samplers are a great idea to test.
Hope you enjoy your smokes mate.Herfing
Whistlebritches Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
First off I'm not saying that all large ring gauges suck.That being said in every cigar I've smoked where a humongous RG was offered as well as something 50 or down the smaller RG has always won out......ALWAYS.

Several years ago I reached a point where anything larger than a 54RG I wouldn't touch.Nothings really changed but I try to never go above 50 and prefer a 44 or 46 rg.

Now why......As the rg steps up so does the filler/binder and yes wrapper but to a much smaller ratio.Most cigars are what they are because of the wrapper.If you want to try the best that cigar has to offer go small rg and learn to slow your pace.I do know some guys smoke HUGE RG cigars because they puff like a freight train....if you cannot or will not change your rythym stay BIG...........you'll never enjoy a petite corona or lancero this way.But if you can sit back relax and sip a small RG cigar I think you'll be pleasantly surprised........so much so you'll have humidors full of those large RG behemoth's that never get touched.

Now my last reason against large RG's.....You look like a polesmoker puffing on these things.


Ron
dracop Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 07-10-2013
Posts: 29
I love the smaller RGs because you can actually taste good flavors. The big fattys are all puff and smoke. To me, a robusto or Churchill is as fat as I go - beyond that, its a tradeable or handout.

On the subject of fillers, not all fillers are cheap. I like Oliva MB3s alot despite being robustos and Churchills - the blend they use is nice. I still wish they would make a Corona in it although that blend needs the filler so I am not calling for an MB3 lancero or lonsdale).

lannyflaherty Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 06-18-2013
Posts: 146
I have found myself smoking almost exclusively sub-50 RGs, and I don't think anyone has brought up the same logic for it....weight. I definitely think part of it is what delta1 said about being a former cigarette smoker, but for me, it really comes down to the ability to hold it in my mouth hands-free.

I kick back and crack a beer and enjoy a nice cigar now and then, but I rarely have time to dedicate two hours to explicitly doing nothing. When I do, awesome, I will crack out a nice 7x48 Avo #5 churchy or a nice Flor de Antillas 5x55 box pressed robusto. More often, I'm smoking with no free hands, doing some carpentry or messing around the house or most frequently, fishing. If I set a four pound trout on a single barbless hook, or a 25lb flathead starts spooling me out on 30# test, I sure as **** don't have the time to gently set down some giant beast of a cigar. It's either hanging in my mouth until that fish is landed, or tumbling to its death during the heat of battle.

I can dangle a corona in my mouth and have a conversation and tie a lure on or shout to cut the motor or whatever. I definitely can't do the same while choking on some half pound black mamba that looks like I just stumbled off a hustler set.
Palama Online
#30 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,373
lannyflaherty wrote:
I have found myself smoking almost exclusively sub-50 RGs, and I don't think anyone has brought up the same logic for it....weight. I definitely think part of it is what delta1 said about being a former cigarette smoker, but for me, it really comes down to the ability to hold it in my mouth hands-free.

I kick back and crack a beer and enjoy a nice cigar now and then, but I rarely have time to dedicate two hours to explicitly doing nothing. When I do, awesome, I will crack out a nice 7x48 Avo #5 churchy or a nice Flor de Antillas 5x55 box pressed robusto. More often, I'm smoking with no free hands, doing some carpentry or messing around the house or most frequently, fishing. If I set a four pound trout on a single barbless hook, or a 25lb flathead starts spooling me out on 30# test, I sure as **** don't have the time to gently set down some giant beast of a cigar. It's either hanging in my mouth until that fish is landed, or tumbling to its death during the heat of battle.

I can dangle a corona in my mouth and have a conversation and tie a lure on or shout to cut the motor or whatever. I definitely can't do the same while choking on some half pound black mamba that looks like I just stumbled off a hustler set.


Those are some pretty funny phrases BigGrin
DBIII Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 11-22-2009
Posts: 6,951
Bones33 wrote:
I like every size smoke. What's the big deal? Every cigar has its own atributes. Granted, some are better than others , but I don't understand what's the big deal. Some large ring smokes are great and some suck. The same with smaller ring cigars. Expand your horizons for God sakes. This point is mute.


+1 I now know that I just like cigars.........in all vitola.
triodes Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 06-02-2013
Posts: 565
Am smoking a camacho ltd maduro, 07/05 (Diadema?) and it's quite nice.

Just sitting here thinking, the first half of this cigar is definitely small ring gauge and I'm not thru the first half and really enjoying it.

Heh, heh - funny thing is, I probably wouldn't have bought them had I known what they are, but made a lowish bid on a box of Camacho, and am really enjoying them.
triodes Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 06-02-2013
Posts: 565
Palama wrote:
Those are some pretty funny phrases BigGrin


Yep, great writing.

So good, that I cannot help but wonder if he is the current reincarnation of Magwitch.
Homebrew Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2003
Posts: 11,883
I used to be a fan of larger ring gauges, preferring 50-52 ring gauge smokes. Then I started smoking coronas, and PCs. Now I prefer a broader range, mainly 42-48 ring gauge smoke. Yes I still grab an occasional 49-52, but I mainly prefer the smaller gauges. In particular coronas and corona extras.

Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)
tonygraz Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,148
Not sure what started the big ring thing, but Nub comes to mind. Good big ring cigars are manufactured with a specific blend of tobaccos for the size. So there are a bunch of very good large ring cigars. The manufacturers that just put out a 60 ring to have another stick in the inventory make the bland and mild cigars that generate dislike of the larger RG cigars. I once was a smaller ring smoker, but lately like RG of all sizes and care more about the flavor than the size.
dstieger Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
I don't have real data to back up my assumptions, mostly third-hand, anecdotal and observations. However, I have come to the conclusion that the vast majority of cigar smokers who like the bigger RG's are relative newbies. And the vast majority of cigar smokers who generally shun 56+ have been at it for a number of years. Take it for what it is worth...not trying to be very judgemental....just my unscientific obeservation.

I clearly remember my first lancero many years ago. I was reluctant to try it for a number of reasons - didn't seem very masculine....why pay as much for a cigar with 1/4 the tobacco of a toro.....there weren't many in the B&M's, so they must be unpopular for a reason....that first one (a RP Fusion Double Maduro - before I soured on RP) was totally unlike the larger RG of the same blend -- there was intense depth of flavors that I hadn't experienced before. And then, it got real hot on me and turned bitter. I slowed way down and the light bulb went on -- that was the day that I learned to smoke s l o w e r and to really appreciate smaller RG's. Very rare that I'll smoke a larger RG nowadays. Usually only when a newer blend I want to try isn't available in thinner size, and those gifted to me.

I'm unhappy with the trend toward bigger RG's. Not because others (mostly newbies?) like them and aren't getting fullest enjoyment. I could care less - smoke what you like --- took me years to refine my palate. I'm unhappy because when I walk into a B&M, over 3/4 of the facings are for 56+. And, it is uncommon for a new blend to hit the shelf in a sub 52. Smoke whatever you want, but when it starts affecting what I can buy, I don't mind bitching about it.
m j toal Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 03-06-2009
Posts: 3,226
I find that most older smokers smoke larger ring cigars.

I know a lot of people that have been smoking cigars for fifty plus years that prefer sixty gauge and higher.
hnixon12 Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 04-20-2009
Posts: 2,873
i now love Corona size, no larger than Robusto
BUt I dont smoke Lancero because i am a fast smoker, and thats not they way a lancero should be smoked,
i tried , but gave up on Lancero's
dracop Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 07-10-2013
Posts: 29
hnixon12 wrote:
i now love Corona size, no larger than Robusto
BUt I dont smoke Lancero because i am a fast smoker, and thats not they way a lancero should be smoked,
i tried , but gave up on Lancero's


Try out Petite Coronas and Petite Lanceros. Quicker smokes that generally have most of the flavor as they trim the leaves to keep the best parts.
dstieger Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
dracop wrote:
Try out Petite Coronas and Petite Lanceros. Quicker smokes that generally have most of the flavor as they trim the leaves to keep the best parts.


So......lanceros have 'worse' tobacco than PC's?
DrafterX Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,474
I read an article years ago when I first started smoking about this... I don't remember who the dude was but he claimed the 46 was the best size for proper smoke delivery to include flavors and control the heat.... I thought it pretty cool at the time because most of what I was smoking was around the 46 size...... it's good to have options tho..... Herfing
triodes Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 06-02-2013
Posts: 565
Damn, I'm going to have to start smoking higher dollar cigars.

I just had a Liga Undercrown gran toro 6x52, and it had everything I have wanted from a cigar and more.

One thing I have noticed, is that generally the smaller ring gauges are lowered prices than the larger ring gauges. Makes sense, because less tobacco is required.

I really don't smoke so much (yeah right, that's what I tell the doc) and am fortunate enough to be able to pay more.
Having been born in the later 40's, that is a decision that is originally uncomfortable for me, but really only a change in how I look at things.

Besides, I kinda figure that if I have enough left to pay my medical bills and burial, isn't that all I really want to do anyhow? Shouldn't one have the mindset that we spent it all and enjoyed life? As long as there is enough left to pay any debts and care bills, that's all I really want.
opelmanta1900 Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
try the undercrown corona viva... even better than the toro...
opelmanta1900 Offline
#44 Posted:
Joined: 01-10-2012
Posts: 13,954
...and then go to CI and buy a box of Genesis Robusto's for $60... almost as good as the UC at about 50%-60% of the cost...
wheelrite Offline
#45 Posted:
Joined: 11-01-2006
Posts: 50,119
blah blah blah....

Try a Partagas Black,,,

a great large gauge smoke,,,


wheel,
Palama Online
#46 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,373
DrafterX wrote:
I read an article years ago when I first started smoking about this... I don't remember who the dude was but he claimed the 46 was the best size for proper smoke delivery to include flavors and control the heat.... I thought it pretty cool at the time because most of what I was smoking was around the 46 size...... it's good to have options tho..... Herfing


I think, subconsciously, I’ve done this as a good amount of my cigars are close to this RG. If I see something new that I want to try, I always look for vitolas in the <50 range. If none available then I’ll look at 50 but not more than 52.
DrMaddVibe Offline
#47 Posted:
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,256
Palama wrote:
I think, subconsciously, I’ve done this as a good amount of my cigars are close to this RG. If I see something new that I want to try, I always look for vitolas in the <50 range. If none available then I’ll look at 50 but not more than 52.



98.2% of the time, when trying out a new blend or line I'll grab a Robusto. If it holds my interest I'll buy 4 or 5 more. If it still does then I move onto perhaps a Corona, Double Corona or Toro.

YMMV.
deadeyedick Offline
#48 Posted:
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 16,915
I haven't changed my opinions from #18 above.
Palama Online
#49 Posted:
Joined: 02-05-2013
Posts: 23,373
DrMaddVibe wrote:
98.2% of the time, when trying out a new blend or line I'll grab a Robusto. If it holds my interest I'll buy 4 or 5 more. If it still does then I move onto perhaps a Corona, Double Corona or Toro.

YMMV.


Fo’ sure Robustos are the most prevalent. I forgot who said it but someone mentioned that blenders now try out new blends with Robustos rather than Coronas.
corey sellers Offline
#50 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,316
I like toros and robustogies
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