I mentioned this on one of the first posts I made last month when I joined this site...but I have casually smoked cigars over the past decade or so and enjoyed a lot of them. I had some very very rudimentary knowledge of them, and abided by the "light wrapper = mild" logic. I was fortunate somewhat in that the friend who introduced me to them had what I now recognize as good taste. He was an Ashton guy and that is pretty much most of what I smoked. I think I tried the occasional R&J, and was treated to some Cuban Cohibas once, which were superb. In short, I have always enjoyed a good cigar, but never really gave them much thought.
I decided to get into cigars as a hobby and learn all about them. Last month I ordered a Connecticut sampler, and that has been what I have been working through of late. But as I tried those sticks, I noticed that while I definitely enjoyed them (save for a Perdomo that just tasted like burning), they were largely underwhelming.
I had a theory...so when I placed my next order, I had the goal of expanding my horizons and stepping out of my usual "mild/light" comfort zone. I kinda suspected that all of those years, I didn't so much want a "mild" smoke as I wanted a "not harsh" smoke. I had read reviews talking about "leather, cedar, pepper" and such associated with different wrappers and thought "gross...who would want to taste that?". But then I decided that maybe I was missing out. So, of the 11 sticks I ordered, only one was a Connecticut. The rest were all manner of everything else, but each seemed to be highly regarded. Since they arrived, I have been letting them acclimate in the tupperdor (and instead smoking the rest of the mild sampler sticks) until this past weekend, when I tried the first of them, with an open mind. The stick in question was an Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic.
Let me tell you, when I fired it up, I was blown away. I tasted those cedar and spice notes that people talked about...but instead of being gross, they were delicious. It really still doesn't make sense to me. I don't see myself wanting to gnaw on a piece of leather or a chunk of cedar...but damn if those flavors don't make for a yummy smoke. So I guess my tastes have evolved...and I am super excited about my next smoke this coming weekend. Can't decide which one to pick though...maybe the CAO Italia or the Oliva Serie V.
It's just really cool to learn more about this thing and to expand your horizons. Also pretty neat to have a place to discuss a hobby that bores your spouse to tears...she got so tired of hearing me say "Damn, this is a GOOD cigar"...though I guess I am glad she was at least willing to hang out on the porch with me.
I decided to get into cigars as a hobby and learn all about them. Last month I ordered a Connecticut sampler, and that has been what I have been working through of late. But as I tried those sticks, I noticed that while I definitely enjoyed them (save for a Perdomo that just tasted like burning), they were largely underwhelming.
I had a theory...so when I placed my next order, I had the goal of expanding my horizons and stepping out of my usual "mild/light" comfort zone. I kinda suspected that all of those years, I didn't so much want a "mild" smoke as I wanted a "not harsh" smoke. I had read reviews talking about "leather, cedar, pepper" and such associated with different wrappers and thought "gross...who would want to taste that?". But then I decided that maybe I was missing out. So, of the 11 sticks I ordered, only one was a Connecticut. The rest were all manner of everything else, but each seemed to be highly regarded. Since they arrived, I have been letting them acclimate in the tupperdor (and instead smoking the rest of the mild sampler sticks) until this past weekend, when I tried the first of them, with an open mind. The stick in question was an Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic.
Let me tell you, when I fired it up, I was blown away. I tasted those cedar and spice notes that people talked about...but instead of being gross, they were delicious. It really still doesn't make sense to me. I don't see myself wanting to gnaw on a piece of leather or a chunk of cedar...but damn if those flavors don't make for a yummy smoke. So I guess my tastes have evolved...and I am super excited about my next smoke this coming weekend. Can't decide which one to pick though...maybe the CAO Italia or the Oliva Serie V.
It's just really cool to learn more about this thing and to expand your horizons. Also pretty neat to have a place to discuss a hobby that bores your spouse to tears...she got so tired of hearing me say "Damn, this is a GOOD cigar"...though I guess I am glad she was at least willing to hang out on the porch with me.
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