Body vs Strength

 

The misuse of terms like "Body" and "Strength" are two of the most common and confounding mistakes made by luxury tobacco lovers at all levels.  Words have meaning and it is important to understand them and use them properly.  So, let's define both Body and Strength along with the coterie of other words we will need to know in order to understand the relationship between luxury tobacco and our senses. 

Body: the breadth and depth (spectrum) of flavor of a tobacco.  Body is also referred to as richness and fullness and is commonly perceived as mouthfeel. 

Flavor is the combination of taste and aroma perceived by our human senses.

Mouthfeel is the sensation in the mouth created by the Body (richness, fullness, or thinness) of the smoke.  The fullness of Body will also impact the Finish (lingering flavor) of a tobacco; where a lighter bodied tobacco will have a lighter/shorter finish and a fuller bodied tobacco will have a heavier/richer/longer finish.  A good analogy is the difference between chicken and steak, where chicken has a lighter bodied flavor and steak is fuller bodied.

Common range descriptors for Body include light, medium and full.  It can get confusing when an adjective like "Mild" is used to describe Body since it is better suited and more accurately used to describe [Nicotine] Strength, or in conjunction with another descriptor like Spice.  Spice is the physical sensation, that varies from tingling to stinging in the mouth, back of the throat, palate and throughout our nasal passages and nose.  If you must use the term "Mild" to describe Body, it should be linked and used in conjunction:  mild-body.

Strength is the intensity of the nicotine in the cigar or pipe tobacco.  Read more about Nicotine & Strength here... 

The use of "Mild" and "Strong" is often misapplied to Body.  As tobacconists we must often read 'between the lines' when listening to customer's descriptions and preferences.  We should also choose our words carefully to accurately convey facts, perceptions and opinions.  Now that you know the difference, the misuse of these terms will become evident and prevalent on mail order websites, among internet 'influencers' and in just about every corner of the luxury tobacco world.  Let this be a red flag that exposes those who really know and separates them from those who pretend to know.

Classic Tobacconist Anecdote
My own father is obsessed with "Mild" cigars.  He constantly tells me how much he loves all the "Mild" cigars I give him while he is actually smoking fuller bodied, medium strength cigars.  I don't even keep mild cigars around the house!  He perceives the lack of ammonia, good aging, tempered spice and well-rounded Body of the cigars I give him as "Mild".  This has been going on for my 30 year career as a tobacconist and I can't get him to use the proper descriptors, no matter how hard I try to enhance his vocabulary and knowledge.  While he loves every cigar I give him, he just doesn't care enough to change his vocabulary or way of communicating.  The truth is, he is more like the common consumer than not.  Sadly, most people who sell cigars are regurgitating the same "mild, smooth and sweet" nonsense instead of actually adding value.  With regard to my father, no matter how much I want to correct his descriptive ability, he doesn't give a f*ck.  He just wants "Mild Mild Mild"!  The fact is, many (if not most) of our customers are like this too, so we must 'read between the lines' and ask the right questions to truly understand what our customers are telling us.  In this way you will be able to enhance your customer's pleasure while broadening their options, appreciation and range of experiences.  This is what TOBACCONISTS do!    

Visit Taste College to get a proper education!

Tobacconist University Glossary

Cigar Myths

 

 

There is enough magic and wonder in the world of cigar making and luxury tobacco, that lies, myth, and marketing exaggerations are totally unnecessary. But that would not seem the case since there are innumerable untruths in the marketplace and many of them have been propagated for decades by successful individuals and companies. Perhaps this is the case because marketers have determined what information consumers receive. Or because there has never been a credible institution dedicated to teaching, learning, and researching the impressive truths of our industry; but the days of biased romanticism and exaggeration should be coming to a close. Tobacconist University is committed to teaching the truth about our industry, not duping customers into brand loyalty and ignorant misconceptions.

 

  

Great cigars and luxury tobaccos are practically miracles in their own right. Our products take more collective skills and longer to create than great works of art, architecture, and furniture, yet their destiny is to be combusted and return to dust. Our products need no exaggeration to be fully appreciated; only to be honestly represented. The following is a list of cigar/tobacco myths which retail Tobacconists hear every day. In our efforts to enhance consumer appreciation, we must help enlighten our customers, not B.S. them.

 

     

Virgin Thighs

  

Myth: In Cuba, cigars are rolled on the thighs of virgins.

  

Truth: This is an absurd concept which sounds interesting and amusing to some, but is not grounded in reality.

  

Cuban Seed  

Myth: Cuban Seed = Quality

  

Truth: Cuban Seeds, grown inside or outside of Cuba, can produce both good and bad cigars. There is no direct correlation between product quality and Cuban Seeds. There are far too many variables impacting the quality of tobacco and cigars, like soil, climate, rain, fermentation, blending, rolling, etc… This myth was started after the American embargo on Cuba when cigar makers wanted to enhance the perceived value and quality of their own brands.

 

      
Body = Strength
  
Myth: The body and strength of a cigar are the same and/or related.
  
Truth: Body, in terms of flavor (taste+aroma) profile, does not necessarily correlate with the Strength of a cigar.  Strength refers to nicotine potency or the intensity of spice – two separate factors.  Body is a flavor descriptor which can refer to the depth, breadth, and richness of a tobacco (flavor).   So, a strong cigar can be medium bodied, while a full-bodied cigar can be mild or medium strength.  As an example, imagine that chicken has a mild body, while beef has a richer body, yet both can be spicy/strong, depending on how they are seasoned.

Refrigerate Cigars
  
Myth: Keeping cigars in your household refrigerator will keep them “fresh” (or optimally conditioned).
  
Truth: Refrigerators are far too dry to keep cigars optimally conditioned and the more humid “crisper” drawer is also inadequate.

Spanish Cedar Necessary

  

Myth: Humidors and Cigar boxes need to be lined with Spanish Cedar.

  
Truth: Spanish Cedar is not necessary. It was historically and geographically convenient and practical. While it may be a valid taste+aroma preference, it is not required.
 
Cigar Licking

  

Myth: An entire cigar should be thoroughly licked/wet-down before being smoked.

  
Truth: This practice was common a century ago when humidification was not as accurate and consistent as it is today. Wetting the wrapper would help keep the cigar from unravelling, but it is not necessary when smoking a well conditioned cigar.
 
Angled Cut

  

Myth: Some people claim that cutting the cap/head of a cigar on an angle helps aim the smoke directly to the palate and enhances taste.

  

Truth: In contrast to a Perfect Cut, an angled cut jeopardizes the integrity of the cigar head and may lead to it unravelling. In addition, a mouth filled with smoke will taste the smoke, whether it is aimed at the tongue or not. The other down side of an angled cut is that the heat of the combusted cigar will be aimed directly at the tongue.

  

Self Sharpening Cutter

  

Myth: Some Double Guillotines are believed to sharpen themselves.

   

Truth: This is untrue; the physics of metal sharpening have nothing in common with the way Double Guillotines function.

 

Packaging = Quality

  

Myth: It is natural to perceive and equate beauty with quality; this is a natural human trait.

  

Truth: Many cigars with the simple packaging are extraordinary and many cigars have extraordinary packaging which is not commensurate with the product.

 

Strength = Body

  

Myth: Full-Bodied cigars are Strong. And Strong cigars must be Full-Bodied.

  

Truth: A cigar can have a Full-Body and not be Strong. Strength relates to Nicotine intensity and Spice, but not necessarily profound flavor.

 

Cigars Attract Hot Women

  

Myth: While sexuality is used by many companies to lure customers to their products, this usually has nothing to do with the actual product. There are many companies that advertise and promote their cigars with attractive and/or scantily clad women – the implication being that ‘these cigars attract women like this’.

  

Truth: Using sex and sexuality to sell cigars may get attention or momentarily make the product seem to taste better (see Emotional Taste Perception), but the effect is short lived.

 

    

Absolutes Depend
   

Myth: “This is the Best Cigar”, “This brand must age _____ months/years” and any other Absolute Statements are typically wrong in the world of luxury tobacco.

 

Truth: Everything in the world of luxury tobacco DEPENDS on one variable or another. Every batch, type, and crop of tobacco leaf is different. There are no Absolute time periods for growing, fermentation, or aging. There are no Absolute ways to quantify or qualify taste. There are absolutely no Absolutes in luxury tobacco: Everything Depends…

 

Maduros Are Stronger
  

Myth: Dark Maduro wrappers give consumers the impression that Maduro cigars are stronger.

  

Truth: While Maduros undergo a longer Fermentation, they do not increase in strength, rather they become richer and a little sweeter, as the sugars develop.

 

Perfect Consistency
  
Myth: Perfect Consistency Exists.
  
Truth: It is impossible to create a perfectly consistent cigar and blend from one batch to another, much less from one crop/year to another. In addition, it is impossible to construct every cigar perfectly. The nature of handmade cigars requires some deviation. It is OK for a cigar to burn a little crooked and for cigars to taste a little different from batch to batch. In fact, the human senses cannot taste or smell perfectly, so we would not even recognize Perfect Consistency if it were possible.

Perfect Consistency is more likely to be found in the wine and/or spirits industry where the final product is a liquid. Liquids are much easier to measure, rate, and blend, so the final product is more likely to be consistent.

Lost & Found [Cuban] Tobaccos
  

Myth: The classic marketing story about a long lost batch of perfectly conditioned tobacco being discovered and used to create a ‘once in a lifetime’ cigar.

  

Truth: The ‘Truth’ is hard to find in this case. Discovering the how, what, when, and where of a ‘re-discovered’ tobacco is difficult, if not impossible to prove.

 

Cuban Cigars Are “The Best”

  

This is the mother of all cigar myths, probably because it was true decades ago and can occasionally seem true today. Cuba is the birthplace of great tobaccos, seeds, and cigars, but time has moved us forward. Great Tobacconists and Consumers everywhere know that our ‘Cigar Renaissance’ exists mostly because of the efforts and products created by those outside of Cuba. Today, claiming that ‘I only smoke Cubans’ or ‘Cuban cigars are the best’ is the last bastion of ignorance, uneducated pompousness, or extreme prejudice; and of course, taste is subjective.

 

 

 

Romanticism plays a big part in the world of luxury tobacco. It is a romantic process to smoke a great cigar; sitting back watching the smoke, smelling the aromas, tasting the notes of flavor, and savoring your time. Luxury tobacco is inherently sensual and romantic. But real romance and pleasure need no embellishment. And the actual magic and wonder of luxury tobacco is enough, without the myths and lies. Enhanced appreciation requires Enlightenment, and that requires The Truth.

 

Cigar Myths: Body = Strength

Body = Strength
 
Myth: The body and strength of a cigar are the same and/or related.
 
Truth: Body, in terms of flavor (taste+aroma) profile, does not necessarily correlate with the Strength of a cigar.  Strength refers to nicotine potency or the intensity of spice – two separate factors.  Body is a flavor descriptor which can refer to the depth, breadth, and richness of a tobacco (flavor).

So, a strong cigar can be medium bodied, while a full-bodied cigar can be mild or medium strength.  As an example, imagine that chicken has a mild body, while beef has a richer body, yet both can be spicy/strong, depending on how they are seasoned.

Nicotine & Strength

Nicotine is a naturally occurring organic compound in the same family of substances (alkaloids) as caffeine. Nicotine is found in tobacco plants, and to a lesser degree in tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes, and eggplant*. The general effects of nicotine are biphasic: initially it is mentally invigorating, and then it leads to a relaxing effect.

Like alcohol and caffeine, nicotine can be addictive and its effects will vary depending on the user and delivery method. Cigarette smokers are typically the most dependent users of nicotine. By design, cigarette smoke is acidic and meant to be inhaled into the lungs where it is easily absorbed in large amounts. Alternately, cigar and pipe tobacco smoke is alkaline and is not meant to be inhaled into the lungs. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of pipe and cigar smokers do not exhibit nicotine addiction because they do not inhale and ingest significantly less nicotine than cigarette smokers.

* The fact that nicotine is found in vegetables is simple proof that 'the dose makes the poison' and not all methods of consuming nicotine are addictive (e.g. cigars and pipes).

Nicotine Strength

Nicotine is something we feel. As with caffeine and alcohol, every person has a different tolerance level to nicotine: too much nicotine can induce nausea and light headedness.  If this ever happens to you, consume a little sugar and the feelings will subside. Consequently, cigars and pipes should be smoked on a full stomach when the body is properly fortified. 

The effects or quantity of nicotine are what determines the strength of a cigar or pipe tobacco. It can be said that a particular tobacco has strong spice or strong body, but these are, more accurately, flavor and sensation descriptions. 

The true strength of a balanced cigar or pipe tobacco comes from the nicotine, not the flavor.

CIGARS 101.9: Tasting, Evaluating & Reviews

Merriam-Webster Dictionary provides the following two definitions for TASTE:

"the special sense that perceives and distinguishes the sweet, sour, bitter, or salty quality of a dissolved substance and is mediated by taste buds on the tongue" (noun)

and...

"to have perception, experience, or enjoyment" (verb)

Tasting is the process of perceiving, experiencing and enjoying!  As you can see, the words we use matter.  And some of the words we use can have very different definitions.  The key to understanding, enhancing and communicating our taste preferences is having a strong fundamental understanding of the words, facts and science relating to human taste.  Keep reading to learn more...

THE HUMAN SENSES
Traditionally speaking, there are five physiological human senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.  Each of our senses plays a special role in the way we experience our lives and time.  The enjoyment of luxury tobacco is an organoleptic delicacy, a sensory delight: just like the enjoyment of fine wine, great food, a beautiful view, our favorite music, or even a hot bath.  And the enjoyment of luxury tobacco involves all five of the human senses.

Sight
Consider sight/seeing the "introductory sense", since it is typically the first sense we use when selecting cigars.  Our sight helps us determine size, color, shape, consistency, oiliness, etc...  While our eyes can deceive us, they mostly help us asses the initial quality and construction of cigars.  After selecting your cigar, the importance of sight will increase.  Seeing and monitoring the cigar and ash is critical to maintaining the proper burn, pace, and ash-free clothing.  Ultimately, sight is useful on many levels.  For reasons that date back to the dawn of man, the sight of fire and smoke have a hypnotic and soothing effect on humans.  To lovers of luxury tobacco, there is nothing so relaxing as the sight of smoke wafting up into the air, as if your tension and worries are being carried away with it.  

Hearing
With regard to cigars, what you don't hear may matter the most.  Aside from the sounds of good conversation, few sounds are associated with cigar smoking.  Even the "sound" of freshness is silent.  But there are a couple distinct sounds occasionally heard from tobacco that tell us something important.  If you gently squeeze a cigar and hear a cracking sound coming from the wrapper, it is probably too dry and not optimally conditioned; a snap, crackle or pop while smoking could be a cigar beetle popping - indicating you should not be smoking that cigar.  

Touch
There is a lot to say about the importance of touch and cigars.  Touch is the physical sensation of feeling.   The way a cigar feels in the hand is paramount.  With our hands we can sense if a cigar is at the proper humidity.  We can even use our fingers to determine the silkiness of a cigar wrapper as well as the firmness, construction consistency, and much, much more.  But the key to understanding touch is realizing that it is not limited to the hands:  we feel with our mouth, tongue, and nose as well.  It is important to note that spice and heat are sensations that we feel as well!

Nicotine = Strength

Nicotine is a naturally occurring organic compound in the same family of substances (alkaloids) as caffeine: it is found in tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes, and tobacco.  Traditionally, we do not think of nicotine as something we touch, but it is definitely something we feel.  As with caffeine and alcohol, every person has a different tolerance level to nicotine: too much nicotine can induce nausea and a light head: if this every happens to you, consume a little sugar and it will subside.  The effects and/or level of nicotine will determine the "strength" of a cigar.

Taste
Taste, also known as gustation, is the human sense which drives our appetite and protects us from ingesting poisons.  We taste with sensory organs called taste buds which are located on our tongue.  Our taste buds are limited to sensing only five distinct tastes: salt, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami.  All of these tastes can be experienced when enjoying a cigar: some of them will make the experience better and others can be a detriment.  Click here to learn more about the human sense of taste...

Smell
Smell, also known as olfaction, is the human sense contained in the nasal cavity that detects microscopic molecules released by substances like food, smoke, flowers, and wine.  Our olfactory nerve cells can detect thousands of different "smells" that our sense of taste cannot.  Without our sense of smell it would be difficult for our palate (sense of taste) to distinguish between an orange and coffee or chocolate and vanilla.  Ultimately, smell is the sense that reveals the extraordinary qualities (ie. complexity/sophistication) of great tobacco, food, wine and even air.  If you don't believe this, try smoking a cigar with a cold, or with cotton stuffed up your nose - just for fun.

Flavor

Flavor is what we perceive when taste and aroma combine:
a true synergy! 

Click Here To Learn More About The Human Senses...

TobaccAromatherapy

Merriam-Webster defines aromatherapy as: "the use of aroma to enhance the feeling of well being".  Tobacconist University began using the term TobaccAromatherapy in 1998, referring to the beneficial and therapeutic effects derived from luxury tobaccos; products which are cultivated, crafted, and curated until they are combusted and savored for our sensory pleasure.  Stimulating our senses for pleasure and health is one of the most natural and enriching ways we can savor our time!

Click here to learn about Smemory.

TASTING METHODOLOGY
People enjoy luxury tobacco on many different levels and for different reasons. To some, a great cigar can be a meditative or transcendental experience, while to others it can simply be something to puff on while playing a round of golf. Some people taste vanilla, leather, and nutmeg while others just taste tobacco. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong because taste is subjective. 

Our Tasting Methodology is a simple set of guidelines to follow if you are trying to evaluate the qualities of a cigar.  This is especially useful for tobacconists who must evaluate cigars for their inventories and then describe them to their customers.  Following the Tasting Methodology, or conducting a “tasting,” requires focus and purpose because it is more thorough than just casually enjoying a cigar. 

3 Step Tasting Methodology:

Observation

Description & Comparison

Evaluation 

Pre-Observation: Establish Neutrality
The most important step before tasting is to establish a neutral setting, starting with the pH in your mouth and eliminating distractions.  Distractions can include people, stress, other tobacco smoke in the air, food odors, and anything else that detracts from focusing on the tasting. Other confounders include food and beverages, which should be avoided during a tasting since they will change the flavors you are perceiving. In addition, emotional biases can also confound a tasting. Smoking a cigar on vacation or under particularly pleasant and relaxed circumstances can make the product seem to taste better.  Establishing neutrality is about trying to eliminate any potential biases, and this includes physical as well as emotional issues. Finally, if you are tasting on a regular basis, you should try to keep the variables as consistent as possible. This means, tasting at the same time of day and in a consistent place. Again, always minimize distractions and confounders.  

Observation
Observation is the process of using your senses to observe and experience the cigar.  We recommend breaking the process down into three stages: Pre-Smoke, Smoking and Post-Smoke.  

Pre-Smoke: Appearance, Construction, Draw
As we have already learned, all of our senses are used to savor a cigar, and the process starts before the product is lit. First, we observe appearance and construction with our sight. Then we touch the head and body of the cigar, judging firmness, conditioning, texture, and consistency. Next, we can smell the bouquet of both the foot and the cigar wrapper. Last, we can cut the cigar and put it in our mouth to assess the draw and the nuances of the wrapper leaf.  By removing the cigar from our palate, we can focus on the finish of the unlit tobacco. The finish is the flavor (taste+aroma) that remains after the cigar has left your mouth. All of this “cigar foreplay” will lead to greater enjoyment and appreciation of the cigar you are about to smoke.

Smoking: Combustion, Smoke, Ash, Flavor
Next, we smoke the cigar and assess its combustion, smoke, and ash.  The cigar will need to burn evenly for the flavors to develop properly.  In addition, a good ash will stay firm until it is released. The smoke of luxury tobaccos will have a distinct texture and appearance as well. While smoking, we focus on the flavors (taste+aroma), strength, spice, body, and the overall experience the tobacco conveys.  Every puff of a cigar will yield different flavors. Cigars are blended to change and develop. The unique construction of cigars allows for leaf placements, which will create flavor changes as the cigar is smoked. In fact, cigars can deliver an evolving flavor experience designed by the cigar maker, which is why cigars should be smoked from beginning to end, in one “sitting,” the same way you might watch a good movie or eat a great meal. It is also one of the reasons we start smoking by the head and not the foot.

Post-Smoke: The Finish
Lastly, every puff you take will reveal new flavors and leave a new finish layer on your palate.  The final finish of a cigar will be very important because the flavors and sensations will stay with you and evolve even after the cigar is done being smoked: savor it!

Description & Comparison
This is the process of  ascribing values, measurements and words to your observations.  Your vocabulary, memory, knowledge and experience will contribute to your ability to describe what you have perceived.  Ultimately, describing what you taste can be an artistic process because it is an intangible interpretation of experiences and perceptions.  Using colorful words and analogies is perfectly acceptable.  Regardless of how technical or verbose you are, the only goal that matters when describing a cigar or pipe tobacco is that others understand what you are saying.  Unique descriptors like "musty," "earthy," "cocoa," or "nuttiness" are only useful if it makes sense to you and your audience.  The descriptive process is something you can get better at, and there are many publications and experts worth learning from.  In addition, having the experience and ability to compare one cigar to another is a useful tactic.  It can be easier to describe something in contrast to another, rather than coming up with the perfect descriptor.  But, there does not have to be a right or wrong way to describe what you have perceived.

By now, the fundamental knowledge you have learned is more than enough to get you started on describing and communicating what you are tasting. 


Evaluation
As consumers, we can usually decide if we like a cigar after smoking just one.  In fact, we probably do not need to go through the rigors of the Tasting Methodology.  Just smoking a few of the same cigar brand/vitola can be enough to know if we "like" something.  But, the rationale of tasting is to come to some sort of conclusion - and evaluation.

Price & Value

The Tasting Methodology evaluation should lead to an assessment based on the observation, description, and analysis, but it must also factor in one more variable: the product price.  While price may not seem like an obvious part of Tasting Methodology, it is important since we are tasting products, and all products have a price.  The ultimate value of a product must be related to its price.  Finally, how we choose to add up all these variables and perceptions is a subjective process, just like your personal taste.  The main goal of any evaluation method is for you and your audience to understand it.  As we have said, taste is subjective, and how you evaluate and define your taste will be up to you.


CERTIFIED CIGAR REVIEWS
If you would like a little structure and help with your Tasting Methodology, Tobacconist University (TU) has got what you need.  The TU Certified Cigar Reviews platform is the world's first and only methodology to document and evaluate cigars created by Certified Retail Tobacconists for consumers and professionals alike.

  

Visit Certified Cigar Reviews & Keep Learning!

Dear FDA, Tasting Is Essential

 

Tasting Is The Only Way To Distinguish

What is the difference between these two nearly indistinguishable cigars?  They are both premium, Nicaraguan, Churchill sizes with similar construction techniques.  They would both commonly be described as "rich, earthy, and mild to medium strength".  In addition, they both have the same suggested retail price of $6.50 USD.  Yet, one of these cigars is a masterpiece that was a limited production (approx. 55,000 produced) while the other reflects mediocre fermentation, poor construction, and inferior or unimpressive ingredients... in my opinion.  Both of these premium cigars come from the same place, are described the same, are priced the same, and look the same!  The point is, you wouldn't know the difference unless you smoked one.  And you could even prefer the one that I don't like, because taste is subjective!

Of course, for every person that appreciates the flavor complexities, richness and nuance of a premium cigar, there are many who simply think they "stink" or think they all smell and taste like "tobacco".  But nothing could be further from the truth (see Flavor Descriptor Tasting Chart below).  There are also people in the world who don't like the taste of clove, bar-b-q, whiskey, wine, meat, fennel, broccoli, etc.... The same is true for smells: just visit a perfume or candle store to prove the point that there is something for everyone.  Variety is indeed the "spice" of life, taste is subjective, and there is no accounting for taste!

A cigars most important flavor qualities are impossible to ascertain without tasting or sampling it.  And unlike a bottle of wine or fine spirit, which can be sipped a few times and understood and savored by the consumer, a cigar cannot be sampled in just a few puffs.  Why?  Because the nature of a liquid is that it is perfectly blended while premium cigars are crafted with five to eight distinct leaves, in varying proportions.  Each of these leaves must be measured and placed in a hand crafted bunch which will combust at the perfect rate:  perfect combustion is what releases the flavor properties of a cigar. So, in order to assess the qualities of a cigar, it must be smoked, in its entirety. 

The hand blending of multiple leaves in premium cigars makes it is natural to expect differences between cigars that were created at the same time using the same blend; but there will also be changes over time due to production realities.  Weather conditions (sun, temperatures, humidity, cloudiness, rain, etc...), soil rotation, and countless other variables make it impossible to plan and predict what a cigar blend will be in the future and what a cigar will ultimately taste like.  So, while consistency is important when creating cigars, it is impossible to achieve.  Recipes do not exist and blends have to vary.  For this reason, consumers and professional tobacconists must constantly taste and sample premium cigars to determine whether it suits their taste.  There is no accounting for taste, and shallow and factual descriptions are not nearly enough information to base decisions upon (e.g. rich, earthy, and mild to medium strength).

Premium cigars, like fine vintage wines, are released in limited, boutique, vintage, one-off, and rare editions.   As an agricultural product that is cultivated, cured, fermented, aged, blended, and hand crafted, the limited, rare and special nature of cigars is inherent to the product.  Premium cigars cannot be created via recipes, rather, they are a cigar makers artistic interpretation of what has grown out of the soil.  And since taste is subjective, this can be a very esoteric process and product.  Ultimately, only consumers can help to quantify or judge taste by determining whether or not that cigar is successful in the marketplace.  But, it is simply impossible to regulate, judge, or impose, taste.  There is no accounting for taste.

When you buy a car, you know the horsepower, MPG and other vital stats and specifications and you get to test drive it.  When you buy a turkey at the market, you know the calories, carbs, weight and other nutritional information.  And, of course you can have a reasonable expectation of what that turkey will taste like because there is very little variability in turkeys.  But, in case you don't, your super market may have someone there promoting and offering samples of that turkey. 

Every industry and product class has reasonable methods for sampling, assessing, and tasting products because it is necessary.  In the luxury tobacco industry, it is imperative.  Ultimately, not allowing samples and tasting of luxury and premium tobacco products would undermine and destroy the whole industry.  Limiting sampling and tasting will handicap retail tobacconists, undermine consumers, and stifle all creativity on the part of cigar makers.  If sampling and tasting is outlawed, the cigar industry will be left with a handful of generic or homogenized products created by the worlds largest corporations, leaving behind an industry that looks more like the mass-market cigarette industry rather than the boutique, artisanal, and creative industry that exists today.

Tobacco Flavor Descriptors from the Tobacconist University Certified Cigar Review Blueprint:

 

ANIMAL		SWEET & FRUITY			SPICES		PLANTS & EARTH		CHEMICAL
bbq		bittersweet			anise		alfalfa		ammonia
gamey		black cherry			black pepper		barnyard		astringent
leather		blackberry			cardamom		bell pepper		bitter
manure		buttery			chili pepper		cardboard		burnt match
meaty		caramel			cinnamon		cedar		diesel
musky		cherry			cloves		charred		dry
roasted meat		chocolate			cumin		dark roast coffee		harsh
smoked meat		citrusy			ginger		dusty		kerosene
venison		coffee			mulling spice		espresso		lead
		creamy			nutmeg		flowers		mineral
		currant			smoked pepper		fresh cut grass		rust
		dark chocolate			sugar		grass		salt
		dried fruit			wasabi		hay		soapy
		fruity			white pepper		herbs		sulfur
		honey					hickory		tar
		marshmallow					manure
		molasses					mesquite
		orange peel					mildew
		plum					moldy
		raisin					moss
		sugar					moss
		toffee					mushroom
		vanilla					musty
		white chocolate					oak
							old cellar
							papery
							peat
							raw nuts
							roasted nuts
							smoky
							soil/dirt
							tannic
							tea
							toasted
							vegetal
							wet forest
							wet grass
							wine cask

Jorge L. Armenteros, CMT
President & Founder
Tobacconist University

CIGARS 101.BONUS: Etiquette, Myths & More...

CIGAR SHOP ETIQUETTE
Retail tobacconist stores must be rigorously maintained.  Walk-in humidors must have their temperature, humidity, air quality, and sanitary standards perfectly maintained to preserve the cigars and protect the customers that smoke them.  People walking in and out of retail walk-in humidors bring germs, dirt, and debris into the environment, so many steps must be followed to protect the cigars.  While tobacconists are responsible for maintaining their shops, customers must also act responsibly and do their part.  Below are some important rules to follow.

No Smoke In Humidor
The natural aromas of a walk-in humidor are subtle and delightful: the commingling of spanish cedar and tobacco aromas from around the world is a special treat.  Part of the reason tobacconists make their walk-ins accessible to customers is so that they can enjoy the smell of unlit, aging tobaccos.  So, do your part and refrain from smoking in the walk-in.   

Be Careful Touching & Smelling
As we learned in a previous lesson, care must be taken when touching and smelling cigars: avoid touching he head and do not let it touch your nose.  Always treat cigars you do not own with the highest sanitary standards.  

Handle With Care
Be careful when pulling cigars out of a box as the head, foot or wrappers can easily be damaged.  You might be surprised at how many cigars are ruined by careless handling; it is a significant expense to retailers.  Also, remember that tobacconists spend a lot of time organizing, straightening out and facing (making sure the bands face forward) cigars.  If you pull a cigar out of the box, make sure you return it to its proper position.  

Damaged Cigars
Cigars can be damaged during shipping or by careless customers and/or tobacconists.  Many of these are discarded or repaired and sold at a discount.  Most of the damage that occurs is purely aesthetic and will not significantly effect the smoking qualities of a cigar.  If you see a damaged cigar in the humidor, feel free to make an offer - a 25 percent discount might be a win-win for both you and the retailer.

Returning Cigars
Most retail tobacconists will not allow returns on cigars that have been taken out of the shop for a period of time.  This is because cigars are sanitary products that must be kept at proper temperature and humidity: it would be irresponsible to accept returns.  But, if you purchased several of the same cigar and found one or more to be plugged (tight or no draw), you should let the retailer know: a good retailer will do what is necessary to make it right.  However, if you want to return cigars simply because they did not suit your taste preferences, that is just part of the cost of educating your palate: don't expect retailers to accept returns just because you didn't like the cigars.   

Theft Is Real
People shoplift from cigar stores everyday!  Even a small retail tobacconist shop can lose thousands of dollars a year from shoplifting.  It is one of the most difficult challenges faced by retail tobacconists and nearly impossible to stop without creating uncomfortable customer experiences.  Do your part by not acting suspicious, not touching cigars unnecessarily and not putting your hands in and out of your pockets too much.  The snapshot below shows an elderly couple stealing over seven hundred dollars worth of cigars in less that two minutes!   

Public Cigar Cutter Rules
Cigar cutters touch the head of the cigar that will eventually touch your mouth, so they must be kept clean.  Retail tobacconists have cutters on hand for customers to use when they buy cigars, but they must also have procedures in place to keep those cutters clean.  If you are going to use a shop cutter, keep the cigar out of your mouth until you have cut the cigar.  And remember that you are well within your rights to ask your tobacconist about the sanitary procedures they use to keep their cutters clean.

CIGAR MYTHS
There is enough magic and wonder in the world of cigar making to make lies, myths and marketing exaggerations totally unnecessary.  Yet there are innumerable untruths and half-truths in the marketplace, and many of them have been propagated for decades by successful individuals and companies.  As an educated consumer we encourage you to be skeptical and continue to educate yourself from credible sources.  Below is a list of some of the most popular cigar myths you will come across. 

Virgin Thighs

Myth: In Cuba, cigars are rolled on the thighs of virgins.
Truth: This is an absurd concept that sounds interesting and amusing to some, but it is not grounded in reality. 

Cuban Seed

Myth: Cuban see equals quality.
Truth: Cuban seeds, grown inside or outside Cuba, can produce both good and bad cigars.  There are far too many variables impacting the quality of tobacco and cigars (ie. soil, climate, rain, fermentation, blending, rolling, etc...).  This myth gained traction after the American embargo on Cuba when cigar makers wanted to enhance the perceived value of their own brands by saying that Cuban seeds were being used.  To this day, many uninformed consumers visit retail tobacconists and ask for "Cuban seed" cigars, thinking that they are better.  Actually, most premium cigar seed varietals originate from Cuban seeds but have been developed and grown outside of Cuba for decades.  Ultimately, when you see "Cuban Seed" written on a box, it is probably a sign that the cigar maker has nothing better or more original to say about the product; and they are marketing to uneducated consumers.

Maduros Are Stronger

Myth: Maduro wrappers/cigars are stronger
Truth: While maduro wrappers may undergo a longer and more rigorous fermentation, they do not increase in strength or spice.  Rather, they become richer in body and a little sweeter as the sugars develop in the leaf.

Perfect Consistency

Myth: Perfect consistency exists.
Truth: It is impossible to create a perfectly consistent cigar and blend from one batch to another, much less from one crop/year to another.  In addition, it is impossible to construct every cigar perfectly.  The nature of handmade cigars requires some deviation and inconsistency.  It is perfectly acceptable for handmade cigars to be a little inconsistent.  It is also okay for a cigar to burn a little crooked and require a touch-up and it is okay for cigars to taste a little different from one batch to another.  In fact, the human senses cannot taste or smell perfectly, so we wouldn't recognize perfect consistency if it were possible.

Lost & Found Tobaccos

Myth: The classic marketing story about a long lost batch of perfectly conditioned tobacco being discovered and used to create a "once in a lifetime" cigar.
Truth:  The "truth" is hard to find in this case.  Discovering the how, what, when, and where of a "re-discovered" tobacco is difficult if not impossible to prove.  And even if this very special, rare, expensive "tobacco" is used in a cigar, it could be an insignificant amount: just another marketing ploy - buyer beware!

Cuban Cigars Are "The Best"

Myth: This is the mother of all cigar myths, probably because it was true half a century ago and can occasionally seem true today.  Cuba is the birthplace of great dark air-cured tobacco seeds and cigars, but time has moved us forward.  Great tobacconists and consumers everywhere know that our current 'golden age of cigars' exists mostly because of the efforts and products created by those outside of Cuba.
Truth: Today, claiming that "I only smoke Cubans" or "Cuban cigars are the best" is merely a personal preference as opposed to objective fact.  Aficionados, connoisseurs and tobacconists know that taste is subjective. 

Spanish Cedar Is Necessary

Myth: Humidors and cigar boxes need to be lined with Spanish Cedar.  
Truth: Spanish Cedar is not necessary.  It was historically and geographically convenient and practical for cigar box and humidor construction.  While it may be a valid taste and aroma preference, it is not required.  

Cigar Licking

Myth: A cigar should be thoroughly licked/wet-down before being smoked.
Truth: This practice was common a century ago when humidification was not as accurate and consistent as it is today.  Wetting a dry cigar/wrapper would help keep the cigar from unraveling, but it is not necessary when smoking a well-conditioned cigar. 

 Angled Cut

Myth: Cutting the cap/head of a cigar on an angle helps aim the smoke directly to the palate and enhances the taste.
Truth: In contrast to the perfect cut, an angled cut jeopardizes the integrity of the cigar head and may lead to it unraveling.  In addition, a mouth filled with smoke will taste the smoke, whether it is aimed at the tongue or not.  

Self-Sharpening Cutter

Myth: Some double guillotine cigar cutters are said to sharpen themselves.
Truth: This is false.  The physics of metal sharpening have nothing in common with the way double guillotines function.

Packaging Equals Quality

Myth: It is natural to equate beauty with quality.
Truth: Many cigars with simple packaging are extraordinary, and many cigars have extraordinary packing that is not commensurate with the product.  The cigar industry pioneered artistic, intricate, and luxurious packaging concepts, in part, because the products look like commodities without distinguished packaging and branding.  But, extraordinary packaging says nothing about the actual quality of a product.

Strength Equals Body

Myth: Full-bodied cigars are strong.  Strong cigars are full-bodied.
Truth: A cigar can have a full body, characterized by depth and breadth of flavor (i.e. richness, earthiness), and not be strong.  Strength relates to nicotine intensity and can refer to spice levels (i.e. strong spice), but not necessarily profound, rich, or full flavors.  

Flavored Cigars Are Made To Attract Children

Myth: If you believe the FDA, flavored and infused cigars are made to attract underage smokers.
Truth: Nothing could be further from the truth.  While the FDA claims that flavored and infused cigars are an attempt to lure underage smokers, the cigar industry has no such interest.  If this were true then daiquiris, margaritas, and any sweet or fruit flavored liquors and alcoholic beverages could be accused of the same despicable goal.  The truth is that adults enjoy a wide range of flavor profiles, including chocolate, vanilla, mint, herbal, etc...

Absolutes Exist

Myth: Absolute statements like, "this is the best cigar," "this brand must age ___ months/years," "Dominican tobacco is always mild," etc...
Truth: Everything in the world of luxury tobacco depends on one or many variables.  Every batch, type, and crop of tobacco leaf is different.  There are not absolute time periods for growing, fermentation, or aging.  There are not absolute ways to quantify or qualify taste.  There are no absolutes in luxury tobacco- everything depends.


Finally, you have finished a well rounded educational journey.  Remember that romanticism plays a big part in the world of luxury tobacco, but real romance and pleasure needs no embellishment.  The actual magic and wonder of luxury tobacco is enough without the myths, hyperbole and lies.  Ultimately, enhanced appreciation requires enlightenment, which requires truth... thus, the importance of education.

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