Cigar Blog

Happiness is a good cigar

The Flavors of Cigar

By

Image: csdecisions

Cigar smokers know that the flavor of cigar is not merely limited to one.  The varying flavors of cigar is one of the interesting aspects of cigar smoking.  Finding the preferred flavor is literally a journey of understanding the essence of cigar smoking.

The flavors of cigar can be generally classified as mild, medium, and full-bodied.  However, this is definitely not the end of flavor description in relation to cigars.  Describing the flavor of each cigar can be rather complex since it is rarely describable in a single word.

The parts of the cigar that are most responsible for the resulting flavor consists of the filler, binder, and the wrapper.  Most of the flavor comes from the filler which is usually made of up 2 to 5 different tobacco variants.  The binder which holds the cigar together is a piece of tobacco leaf which also has its own flavor.  The wrapper likewise adds to the character and flavor of cigars.  A sweeter, fuller taste is usually given by darker cigar wrappers while a milder taste is provided by lighter colored wrappers.

Many words have been used to describe cigar flavor and some may not be readily associated with cigars but rather with food flavor.  Some of the more common descriptive words used for cigar flavor include sweet, bitter, spicy, peppery, woody, earthy, burnt, creamy, fruity, leathery, harsh, roasted, aged, and chewy.  More specific descriptions include nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, apple, chocolate, nutty, chestnut, and cedar.  There are actually a lot more that it would be impossible to come up with a final complete list since many new flavors are developed as new combinations of tobacco leaves are discovered.

Tasting of cigars is often compared to wine, tea, or coffee tasting.  Cigar enthusiasts recommend a specific way of tasting the flavor which includes not only the sense of taste but also the sense of smell.  There is also much attention given to the aftertaste which in cigar smoking should not be less enjoyable.

 

Originally posted on October 22, 2012 @ 12:33 am

Alternative: Greek Cigars

By

cigarsThe credit crunch still bothering you? I wouldn’t be surprised. Despite the positive aura that a lot of people had at the beginning of the year, things do not seem to be getting that much better. It seems that we still have to face the worst before things start looking up.

If you are having problems finding the money to enjoy your favorite cigar, I have an alternative for you – Greek cigars. I actually read about these cigars from a report by the Associated Press, which talks about Domenico Cigars.

This company is based in Greece but their seeds are from Cuba. The people behind the company also have gotten their knowledge and other cigar making secrets from Cuba itself. As a result, their cigar quality is almost comparable to some of the best and most expensive cigars to be found these days.

Truth be told, the cigar industry in Greece is very young, a mere babe so to speak. The industry only started about 5 years ago in an area northwest of Athens. The climate in this area is hot and damp, making it similar to the Pinar del Rio region in Cuba. As such, it is not that surprising that the cigars produced in Domenico are garnering considerable attention.

Experts state that Domenico cigars do not really match the level of “real” Cubans. Despite the seeds being the same, the soil and weather conditions are not exactly alike. Still, people seem to like them and keep buying them. Maybe you should try one and see for yourself.

Originally posted on April 6, 2011 @ 8:47 pm

Hav-A-Tampa Wood Tipped Cigars

By

It was over ten years ago when I tried and became fascinated with wood tipped cigars, specifically the Hav-A-Tampa which are machine made cigars made in Altadis USA, by the same makers of Phillies and Backwoods. This cheaper alternative to hand rolled cigars came in different variations?original, black and gold as well as sweet and vanilla. I would occasionally purchase all flavors, but I personally loved the black and gold and the sweet and vanilla ones. Back then they were widely distributed in the United States and were popular for their reasonable prices. Apart from the price, they had built-in wooden tips made of birchwood, made them more convenient and comfortable for non-cigar smokers. They were smooth and they tasted great too, which was a great value for the price. Hav-A-Tampa Jewels Sweet cigars were made from a distinct blend of Honduran and Dominican imported tobacco. It was aromatic and pleasing too because of its unique design. Eventually it became the world?s most famous wood-tipped cigar outselling other brands due to its price and great quality when it comes to flavor. It was great for any occasion and it was very convenient to take whenever I would go out and have drinks with friends. These light cigars came with a binder and filler.

Unfortunately, due to new laws and the decline in economy, they had to close their factory in Settner in 2009 despite their many efforts to keep the company alive. ?The said factory had operated for more than 50 years since 1902. Back then, SEITA which was the French tobacco monopoly and Tabacalera, the former Spanish Tobacoo giant formed Altadis, a multinational company which manufactured cigarettes, tobaccos and cigars. Later on it was bought by the Imperial Tobacco company in February 2008 before it closed down. Nowadays, Black and Mild Wood Tip Wine Cigars and Swisher Wood Tips are available alternatives.

Image from Cigars.com

zp8497586rq
zp8497586rq
zp8497586rq

Originally posted on March 29, 2012 @ 12:45 am