Greetings

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Permalink Reply by sweem on February 7, 2009 at 11:34am

Solid Online supplier would be Cigars International, Famous Smoke, JR. . . . . There is a discussion that has all the links to these places too:

http://www.socialcigar.com/forum/topics/long-list-of-links

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Permalink Reply by Choke Burnsley on February 7, 2009 at 1:56pm

I am a novice to the culture and discussions of cigars, but I have smoked more good cigars than bad with friends and/or family who are very into it; that said a taste, but no direction. Here's a couple of basic ?s I have:
Is the size of a cigar a completely independent preference than flavor, or are they related? Foe example, Is a Montecristo a Monteristo, wethere it be a torpedo or a toro or any size? Are blends of tabacco/paper different for the larger than smaller?

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Permalink Reply by sweem on February 7, 2009 at 4:23pm

well, the ?s u have raised have more than one answer to them. Allow me to explain:
People do prefer particular sizes of cigar(me, I like a Robusto/Toro the best, but am finding Torpedoes to be my next favorite size). So yes there is a preference from one person to the next. Hovever I find that some blends just simply taste better in a particular size than another. Allow me to explain:
- A corona/lancero is much narrower in diameter, therefore there is less filler contained within the wrapper/binder (I like this size if I know the wrapper/binder is really unique or high quality leaf)
- A torpedo is typically wider in diameter so you would be mostly tasting the filler (so if the filler blend is an interesting combination of particular leaves, then I go with this)
* Hence why I think a toro/robusto is always a safe choice because their diameter is right in-between a really thin and a really thick diameter.

In my experience it is really beneficial to really be able to judge a particular blend of tobacco when you are able to try at least a few of the different sizes that are rolled, that way you find which size of that particular blend suits your palate the best.

Just my opinion. . . . everyone is different

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Permalink Reply by Clay, the watcher... on February 7, 2009 at 4:38pm

The theory is, a Montercristo is a Montecristo (for example) no matter what the size. That is to say the blend does not change. The "taste" does. Size has much to do with the draw of a cigar as far as how much smoke you actually receive. The cut also affects this. Think of how a torpedo is shaped the smoke is "funneled" into a smaller opening making for a more "full" flavor. The same cigar in a toro size would "taste" different.

Take your time to try different sizes, shapes and blends. Find your favorite.

Oh, and as a side note, smaller cigars are easier to roll so the larger sizes are generally made by more experienced rollers. Construction affects the experience as much as anything.

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Permalink Reply by Bildo792 on February 7, 2009 at 5:12pm

with cuban cigars the flavor is different for each "size"

with non cuban cigars, not so much. Blends are even tweaked to make a corona taste just like a churchill.

Also, Welcome to the site!

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Permalink Reply by Herfin BigDog Cigar Enthusionado on February 10, 2009 at 12:56pm

Greetings Choke. Welcome to the Social Cigar Forum!

And to add to the comentary, the size of a cigar a person smokes can also be driven by the time a person has to enjoy a cigar. The more time a person has, the thicker and longer the cigar might be.

Me? I smoke a cigar slowly relatively speaking. For example, someone might smoke a 5 x 50 robusto in 25-35 minutes. I might smoke mine in 45, but I have been know to take as long as an hour to smoke a robusto.

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Permalink Reply by Choke Burnsley on February 10, 2009 at 1:08pm

Awesome! That was part of my curiosity. If I only have a half hour to smoke, I would rather not waste a good torpedo, but instead have a toro; the brand I desire can remain unchanged, like it. I'll certainly continue to try recommendations, but from all of your input I've decided to go out and get an assortment of Montecristosizes, to get a feel for what sizes I prefer, and then also try a few different typres in sizes I'm already familiar with.
All the input and camaraderie here on SC is kick ass!
Glad to be a part of it~
I dabble in woodworking and am going to my local hardwood supplier today to pickup some cedar-liner as well as an exotic hardwood for the outside! I'll popst pics of it when it's done. Found a few plans online, but would love to see some other designs if ny of you all have some or link to... I was thinking of about a 50-capacity for starters.

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Permalink Reply by Clay, the watcher... on February 10, 2009 at 1:39pm

I'm generally a Toro smoker and can keep it "lit" longer then the Big Dog.

When I have say, 20-30 minutes I'll smoke a "small" cigar. I do have rules, it still has to be a long filler, at least 36 ring gauge and 4" long, not all small cigars are created equal. I like the Cohiba Pequeno & Partagas Prontos. It should be noted that while I enjoy the Plasencia Reserva Organic, I dislike the Nesticos.

And as they say, "they're not very big around, but they're short" or something like that.

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Permalink Reply by Herfin BigDog Cigar Enthusionado on February 11, 2009 at 9:19pm

I'm generally a Toro smoker and can keep it "lit" longer then the Big Dog.

Hey, Hey Now! Watch it!!! Keep the sexual references out of this discussion would you?

:-p

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Permalink Reply by Clay, the watcher... on February 11, 2009 at 9:40pm

can't help it, sorry. It's the dawg in me.

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Permalink Reply by Charming Karl, Cookie King on February 10, 2009 at 1:50pm

Welcome to Social Cigar, Choke, and good luck getting yourself some good smokes and finding spots to enjoy them in Salt Lake City! It looks like Sweem directed you to a spot where you can find the major online vendors. I like Famous Smoke and Cigars International, but I know there are many others.

As for the variables that influence the smoking experience, the guys here have already named many of the factors. What I will add is whatever the cigar, whatever the size and strength, the context has great influence on the experience. For example, what have you been doing, what is your overall mood, and what have you been eating and drinking that day before you sat down to have your cigar? And then, what are you going to drink while you smoke? (I personally always have at least water to drink while I'm smoking)

Some really strong cigars, for example, require that you have a big meal before smoking them, otherwise you might get queasy or just feel generally unwell.

As for what size you might want to smoke, I personally feel it's a matter of comfort, whatever feels right in your mouth.

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