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Last post 6 years ago by jjanecka. 10 replies replies.
What makes a cigar "Complex"?
Hank_The_Tank Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 11-15-2016
Posts: 3,677
This came up in my CC thread and I wanted to see what others thought about it. Thunder.Gerbil pointed out that complexity is subject to personal interpretation. So what makes a cigar complex to you or what would make for a perfect complex cigar?

For me, complexity is somewhat hard to describe, but when you taste it, you know it. I would say for me it is a cigar that you can pull a lot of flavors from, especially relatively unique flavors. Also the flavors change throughout the cigar, back and forth, with some flavors being obvious and others you need to find with a refined palette.

The first cigar I thought was complex was an Opus X. Now that was years and years ago and haven't had one since, so I may think differently now that my palette is more refined.

I recently thought that the Camacho American Barrel Aged cigar was complex. Pulled all sorts of great flavors out of it and changed throughout the cigar. Another was the Tat Especial 10.

What say you?
Thunder.Gerbil Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 11-02-2006
Posts: 121,359
Some would call complexity multiple flavors or layers of flavor. Nuances of flavors.
Some would also separate the definitions to define flavors that change as the cigar burns as being "dynamic" rather than lumping it in with complex.
From a blending standpoint, complexity is using different leaves from different varieties of tobacco. The end result might not have the discernible layers of flavor though.

Strength and body are supposed to be synonymous, Full body = strong, light body = mild cigar. Over the years, these definitions have drifted apart for whatever reason, largely the appearance of catalog and web writers that don't understand this and cigars that are rushed to market and are out of balance. It's very easy to make a strong (high nicotine) cigar, just underferment the tobacco a bit. It won't have the heavyness of body that it should though.

For some, none of this matters, all that is of interest is the "Do I like it?". Others prefer the roller coaster.

As beatdragon used to say "Who the fvck cares if it's one-dimensional?(not complex) As long as that one dimension is yummy."
ZRX1200 Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,473
I would add, sometimes complex for some is having hard to describe flavors.
gummy jones Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 07-06-2015
Posts: 7,969
id say most would call something complex if it transitions 3+ times and/or there are flavors they perceive as subtle that come in and out of the profile

its certainly subjective and likely BS at least 25% of the time

the classic padron anniversary is steady as she goes and is often not referred to as complex for that reason
Abrignac Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,216
Hank_The_Tank wrote:
This came up in my CC thread and I wanted to see what others thought about it. Thunder.Gerbil pointed out that complexity is subject to personal interpretation. So what makes a cigar complex to you or what would make for a perfect complex cigar?

For me, complexity is somewhat hard to describe, but when you taste it, you know it. I would say for me it is a cigar that you can pull a lot of flavors from, especially relatively unique flavors. Also the flavors change throughout the cigar, back and forth, with some flavors being obvious and others you need to find with a refined palette.

The first cigar I thought was complex was an Opus X. Now that was years and years ago and haven't had one since, so I may think differently now that my palette is more refined.

I recently thought that the Camacho American Barrel Aged cigar was complex. Pulled all sorts of great flavors out of it and changed throughout the cigar. Another was the Tat Especial 10.

What say you?



I'm thinking you've made things way too complex, again.
Buckwheat Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 04-15-2004
Posts: 12,251
Thunder.Gerbil wrote:

For some, none of this matters, all that is of interest is the "Do I like it?". Others prefer the roller coaster.

As beatdragon used to say "Who the fvck cares if it's one-dimensional?(not complex) As long as that one dimension is yummy."


+1

It's all subjective and at the end of the day if you like or don't like it is all that matters. fog
Speyside Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 03-16-2015
Posts: 13,106
Way to subjective, you know it when you taste it.
Stinkdyr Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 06-16-2009
Posts: 9,948
Complex is more than one discernable flavor.
Strength is nicotine.
Body is plenty of smoke and flavor.

So, to me:

Tatuaje Miami is a full body, well-made, complex flavored (leather, wood, raisins, floral, earthy), and no nic kick cigar. Perfect.

Herfing
MACS Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,584
My ability to pick out all the different flavors left me back in 2006, before I deployed for the last time. I don't know what happened. I got old... my taste buds crapped out... I don't know.

Now cigars fit into one of two categories for me: They taste good or they don't. With most Havanas I don't get an 'aftertaste' and if I do, it's a pleasant one. With most domestics, especially the cheap ones, they taste horrible or I get a horrible aftertaste.

The domestics that I like seem to be expensive. Coincidence? I think not. Your tobacco that is grown, fermented, and rolled properly taste right (and costs more to produce). The low end stuff that is rushed to market (and cheaper) tastes like crap.

YMMV.
jjanecka Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
My cigar complex would be located on an island and have a tunnel system back to the mainland. It would require you to blow a .15 before you could even get in and would have a few turrets and armed guards to dissuade any unwanted guests.
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