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? 🤔

Without question, if you want the most out of your cigars learn how. You will find more flavors/tastes while retrohaling.

-Jerry

Ya gotta... or take up knitting.

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. 🇨🇮 🍺

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.

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?

Don't know any other way.

Coughing, you're doing it wrong. Shouldn't be getting any smoke to your lungs.

Negative on the smoke in the nose.

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.

yes

Thanks for the advice Bur! 😣

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!

[frypan]

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.

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

Truth

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.

BE A MAN, LEARN TO RETROHALE ON A PUNISHER!

Mmmhmmm

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.