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Last post 20 years ago by eleltea. 6 replies replies.
Is this a fairly common occurrence?
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jmvfrva Offline
#1 Posted: Fri, Jun 13 2003, 6:14 AM EST
Joined: 05-22-2003
Posts: 53
Hey folks,

Been smoking cigars for a little over six weeks and have come to notice a trend.

It seems like the cigars I am smoking (medium to full bodied) don't seem to really come to life until I am at least half way through them.

This was especially true of a CAO eXtreme that I had recently. It was not particularly interesting for the first 30 or so minutes and then bam, it came alive in a big way and I took it down to the nub with huge clouds of smoke and very flavorable. Unfortunately, the entire cigar was not like that.

I would certainly like for the first 30 minutes to be as enjoyable as the last 30 minutes.

Any comments/suggestions.

John
docrks Offline
#2 Posted: Fri, Jun 13 2003, 7:00 AM EST
Joined: 03-03-2003
Posts: 2,708
Diversify - there is a GREAT BIG WORLD of cigars out there to explore ---Try an offering from the Padron family - I find them great from the first puff on -the 5000 is a wonderful stick - even better - get a PAM 1964 Imperial - you won't be complaining about not having any taste for the 1st 1/2 of the cigar again.
Slimboli Offline
#3 Posted: Fri, Jun 13 2003, 7:11 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
... depends on the cigar! I gave SteveS a Perdomo he had never tried at the BAD herf (if you can believe there was a Perdono he had never tried) ... an Estate Seleccion Monstro.

I told him that was the one cigar that really 'kicked my butt' when I first got them (several years back), so be prepared.

About a quarter of the way through ... he mentioned to me how mild it was ... but about half way through, he said that the 'punch' had kicked up significantly. I told him to just wait for the 'ending' ... LOL!

So, the blends of leaves that are used plays a major role in how the cigar smokes.

Keep in mind also ... different sizes and ring gauges of the same line wil have different flavor profiles ...
tandem401 Offline
#4 Posted: Fri, Jun 13 2003, 7:13 PM EST
Joined: 03-01-2002
Posts: 112
The unburned shaft of the cigar filters out the flavors from the burning tip. As the cigar burns down the filtration becomes more and more saturated allowing more flavor to come through. Also, the filtered out deposits burn again and are released with increasing effect. There is a point at about the last 1/4 of it's length where the cigar will change very quickly and, most would say, become objectionably stronger. I've often thought of proving this with a mathematical model but have not yet done so. There are some connoisseurs who toss the cigar at that point. I assure you that I am not in that class but I do find that with a 7-inch stogie the first inch is rather wasted.

I've never had to wait for half of it to be gone, though. It sounds like you would benefit from a stronger smoke. Try a Punch or Joya De Nicaragua Antano.
melski Offline
#5 Posted: Sat, Jun 14 2003, 4:42 PM EST
Joined: 09-22-1999
Posts: 279
In my experience, it's been a rare cigar that carries that great flavor from beginning to end. I also believe tandem has it right. The unburned cigar acts as a filter for the tars (?). As you burn more of the cigar the flavor gets "stronger". I can remember smoking some Santa Clara Churchills and commenting if they could get the first half to taste like the second half these would be damn good cigars.
Fatshotbud Offline
#6 Posted: Sun, Jun 15 2003, 6:57 AM EST
Joined: 03-31-2003
Posts: 782
IMHO - The Master Blenders can create a number of interesting "smoking patterns". I have smoked some with increasing intensity as you described but also some the do the reverse. In my experience there are a huge number that hit hard and remain constant throughout. The ones that really impress me take you on a roller coaster ride so to speak. They have flavor/intensity changes that keep you guessing what is coming next.
Another observation - It is my habit to wait an extended period for "natural ash fall" when sampling a cigar that is new for me. This excessive ash seems to have the tendency to inhibit some flavor potency by its cooling effect. Once I have an idea of when the ash should fall for a perticular smoke; I keep the ash as short as possible. This practice seems to pick the flavor levels up some.
Opinions are like A$$ holes; everyone has one, some just smell more than others - BUD
PS: My opinion may be deemed by some to "stink" - LOL
eleltea Offline
#7 Posted: Sun, Jun 15 2003, 7:31 AM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
Yes, it is common. I prefer it that way, though, rather than have them get harsh or bitter on me the second half.

It's a mark of a great cigar that it never gets bitter even down to the last half inch. Even though I am not the biggest Fuente fan, I have noticed most of the Fuente's I have smoked never got bitter.
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