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Happiness is a good cigar

The Flavors of Cigar

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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

Cigars Are Not All Bad for the Health

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Cigar is usually associated with smoking. Smoking is usually associated with health risks. But for cigar smokers which is not lit as often as the standard cigarettes that people do, has certain health benefits if taken up close.

For one, the tobacco leaves used for some cigars are traced towards medicinal herbs that may be good for the body. This was done in ancient times and has been forgotten ever since.

Cigars are also associated with aid in weight loss. While such may be considered an unorthodox way of putting up with it, some people have found it effective although there may be hitches with regards to health as the inhaled smoke may be bad for the body as smoking has been known for.

Either way, health or health risk, the ultimate decision on passing judgment towards cigars and tobacco leaves will still fall on the hands of the person who smokes them. The final word will always be theirs.

Originally posted on July 14, 2011 @ 1:44 pm

Does Packaging Matter to You?

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When a manufacturer comes up with a new cigar blend, there is no doubt that packaging is taken into consideration. This actually applies to almost any other kind of product. Experts in the field of marketing know that how you package a product can affect how it is perceived by customers.

For cigars, packaging can affect the price. Cigar.com talked about this earlier this year:

Many brands have extravagant packaging, most of which are very expensive. So exactly how much does the packaging affect the cost of a cigar?

Well, when developing a price structure to sell a particular cigar, there are many factors that must be examined before a standard MSRP can be created. Some factors that attribute to the total MSRP include the price of tobacco, laborers, cost of running facilities, and packaging. Typically, the way each brand of cigars is packaged and presented does drastically affect the total outcome of the MSRP. Of course, the cost of the tobacco is the biggest expense, hands down, but any cigars that utilize special packaging will definitely be more expensive than others. Manufacturers producing more premium, higher end cigars tend to use more extravagant packaging simply because it makes the cigar look more credible while also providing the consumer with an elegant package that truly does make you feel good about your purchase.

Now that we have established just how the packaging can affect the price of a cigar, my question is: Would you pay more for a cigar because of special packaging?

I think that if we were talking about the packaging alone, I would not easily part with more money. However, if, as that tidbit from Cigar.com explains, the nicer packaging means better quality tobacco, then I just might be willing to shell out extra bucks. Do you think the same way?

Originally posted on June 28, 2011 @ 2:47 am