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Last post 8 years ago by QMPASH. 41 replies replies.
Retro-haling, is it worth learning?
Jnorman Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 07-15-2015
Posts: 75
Hey guys, I have read a lot about retro-haling. Do you get a ton more flavors and tastes? I want to learn how to do it, but it can be a rough start in the coughing aisle. Thoughts? Think
soundta Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 02-12-2007
Posts: 669
Without question, if you want the most out of your cigars learn how. You will find more flavors/tastes while retrohaling.

-Jerry
riverdog Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 03-28-2008
Posts: 2,600
Ya gotta... or take up knitting.
Jnorman Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 07-15-2015
Posts: 75
Knitting does sound rather fun.. To learn, should I start with not as full-bodied cigars?
riverdog Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 03-28-2008
Posts: 2,600
Jnorman wrote:
Knitting does sound rather fun.. To learn, should I start with not as full-bodied cigars?


Yup, not a bad idea. Also if you just hold a little of the puff in your mouth and gently sweeten it with outside air to dilute the effect it will be easier, and for me that opens up the smoke for even more enjoyment. The nose, both retrohale and "front" is 80% of the enjoyment for me. Herfing Beer
hinzna Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 10-03-2014
Posts: 949
It is absolutely worth it. Taste itself (in the mouth) only comprises of four main components: sweet, salty, sour, bitter. This means that every other flavor you perceive actually comes from your sense of smell. Retro-haling allows you to discover all of the subtle nuances of the cigar by passing the smoke directly through those "sensors".

In learning how to retro-hale, start with mild cigars. Only retro-hale once or twice every third to get yourself used to the process without irritating your sinuses too much. Then, as you become more comfortable, you can start working the retro-hale into stronger cigars and more frequently.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. I retro-hale every puff, I know people who do it a couple of times throughout a cigar, and I know people who are just as happy not doing at all.
Jnorman Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 07-15-2015
Posts: 75
So, the retro-hale is a good thing to do for tastes. But what about your nose after the smoke? Do you get that after-smoke stuck in your nose for hours?
danmdevries Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 02-11-2014
Posts: 17,124
Don't know any other way.

Coughing, you're doing it wrong. Shouldn't be getting any smoke to your lungs.
Burner02 Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 12-21-2010
Posts: 12,861
Jnorman wrote:
So, the retro-hale is a good thing to do for tastes. But what about your nose after the smoke? Do you get that after-smoke stuck in your nose for hours?



Negative on the smoke in the nose.
99cobra2881 Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 11-19-2013
Posts: 2,472
Also I will mention that retrohaling isn't a race. Retrohale slowly to let the smoke pass out through your nose for a longer amount of time. Gives the nose more time to smell the flavors in the smoke.

Also you can start with shorter half draws, and learn that way. I'll second the mild cigar I learned how to retro on a mild habano wrapper.

Gotta break these noobs in easy or they'll never be right again.
Bur Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
yes
Jnorman Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 07-15-2015
Posts: 75
Bur wrote:
yes



Thanks for the advice Bur! Brick wall
Bur Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 07-31-2012
Posts: 5,638
Glad I could help!

Everybody else covered the key points already, but yeah, start out with too strong a cigar and have to be a bit too vigorous to get the smoke flowing "retro" and you look like a 12 year old who stole one of his uncle's cigars and inhaled it like a cigarette.

Or was that just me? Fortunately I was in my backyard instead of the local shpo smoking patio!

Frying pan

Whistlebritches Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
Believe it or not even Macanudos have some flavor when you retrohale........not much buy some.Excellent place to start since they are so mild.
hinzna Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 10-03-2014
Posts: 949
Another good spot to start is the My Father Connecticut, or for a bit more strength/flavor but not overwhelming try the My Father El Centurion H-2k-ct
dharbolt Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
Bur wrote:
yes



Truth
jimbud Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 12-18-2009
Posts: 3,998
Guys, isn't retrohaling as straightforward as ushering some of the smoke into your nasal cavities often using the tongue and exhaling through the nose? Makes a HUGE difference in discerning flavors.
zerohourhero Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2015
Posts: 1,308
BE A MAN, LEARN TO RETROHALE ON A PUNISHER!
dharbolt Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
jimbud wrote:
Guys, isn't retrohaling as straightforward as ushering some of the smoke into your nasal cavities often using the tongue and exhaling through the nose? Makes a HUGE difference in discerning flavors.


Mmmhmmm
trike Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 10-10-2015
Posts: 38
If you're new to the game of retro-haling, I suggest dropping your in-take to about 60% of your normal. It is easier when there is less smoke involved. If you in- take your usual amount, you may find yourself short of breath after fully expelling all the smoke.
Breakout3030 Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 12-06-2014
Posts: 279
Retro-haling? Isn't this where you close your mouth and pass the smoke back out through the nasal airway? If this is correct then I guess I'm confused on how this is a learned ability. It seems to happen automatically for me and didn't really require any practice.

Am I doing it wrong? Is there more to the art?
corey sellers Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
#18 My wife tried a punisher I was smoking that did not turn out well after about 5 minutes she turned green that is one tough smoke strong pepper retrohale that baby and let me know if you don't sneeze I have not had but one NapalmMan sent me one I am getting ready to travel that road again and I will retrohale
corey sellers Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
I smoke cigs for years it comes naturally to me
zerohourhero Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2015
Posts: 1,308
corey sellers wrote:
#18 My wife tried a punisher I was smoking that did not turn out well after about 5 minutes she turned green that is one tough smoke strong pepper retrohale that baby and let me know if you don't sneeze I have not had but one NapalmMan sent me one I am getting ready to travel that road again and I will retrohale



Its actually one of my favorite cigars, but most people don't care for the strength or the habano pepper cap. Both of these are reasons I love it. I was being a smartazz with my comment.
SMOKEYOU Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 10-14-2015
Posts: 2,275
I do it at least once with any decent cigar!
corey sellers Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
Yeah I figured that I did not retrohale the first one but one time different story this go around I tend to like strong smokes
SMOKEYOU Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 10-14-2015
Posts: 2,275
Have you tried the LFD NAS? Is it comparable?
zerohourhero Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2015
Posts: 1,308
SMOKEYOU wrote:
Have you tried the LFD NAS? Is it comparable?


NAS is the only cigar to almost knock me on my butt.

It is a quest I have been on forever.

I love it and am always grabbing more when I can.
corey sellers Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
Never have gotta spare send it to me
corey sellers Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
Hell I will have to look for this beast
SMOKEYOU Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 10-14-2015
Posts: 2,275
I got 19 left. Smoked my first today!
zerohourhero Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2015
Posts: 1,308
SMOKEYOU wrote:
I got 19 left. Smoked my first today!


IM ONTO YOUR GAME. YOURE TRYING TO LURE ME INTO GIVING YOU MY ADDRESS......


STRANGER DANGER
corey sellers Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
Shame on you

He's watching you
SMOKEYOU Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 10-14-2015
Posts: 2,275
Where's my paperboy?
corey sellers Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,338
You need a bus driver
Jnorman Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 07-15-2015
Posts: 75
Thanks for all of the advice guys! Definitely need to get going on learning. It's tough to do though when you live in the tundra of MN Sad
delta1 Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,754
#21 Yep ... to start, let about half of the mouthful of smoke out through the lips...clench your teeth and tighten your lips, close your throat (that involuntary gag-like reflex that happens when you dip your head underwater) and slowly exhale through your nose...

To me, this technique is the way I sense most of the flavors, definitely the most subtle, that a cigar's smoke has. I don't taste anything on the tongue, in the mouth, except tobacco, charred wood, saltiness and occasionally burnt sugar
namadio Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 11-24-2014
Posts: 1,621
Retrohale is for suckers. I just inhale. Everything. Everypuff.
bs_kwaj Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 02-13-2006
Posts: 5,214

Cigar smoking is soooo complicated.

Beer

t33bone Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 10-25-2007
Posts: 27,374
Whistlebritches wrote:
Believe it or not even Macanudos have some flavor when you retrohale........not much buy some.Excellent place to start since they are so mild.

+1

If you do not retrohale, you are wasting your cigar IMO.
QMPASH Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 03-15-2011
Posts: 897
t33bone wrote:
+1

If you do not retrohale, you are wasting your cigar IMO.

Not quite, but almost the truth. You get maximum pleasure from a good cigar by retrohaling. Do not do it with most yard gars or otc drugstore cigars (White Owl, Phillies etc.) I never tried it with the gag ya "Punisher, but if you're into masochism, go right ahead. Frying pan
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