Cigar veins?

Blatalian

Ok. I am still very new to cigars and one thing I keep hearing about is the amount of veins in a cigar. But it seems that everyone has a different opinion about them. So I guess my question is what is the real story behind the veins, do they even mean anything at all? I would really appreciate some clarity on this subject.

kuzi16

Blatalian

I have heard that before. I have also heard that the more veins the worse the flavor, the more veins the lower quality of cigar, veins have nothing to do with the flavor, and so on and so on. So I guess what I am looking for is a general consensus. Which I doubt will happen, but it will be cool to see what other theories are out. I appreciate anyone that adds in on this subject. Thanks for being the first Kuzi.

Big Dean

I always thought that veins are no problem, unless they are really big and bulging out. I also thought you want a lot of small veins for flavor. But I'm not really sure.

Scrambler

Lasabar

Scrambler

Lol, I knew I could count on you Las, but I was expecting something more along the lines of seriously mis-interpreting Big Dean's comments.

phobicsquirrel

I often thought about this as well, though I would say a better cigar or better constructed would have less, as larger more frequent veins seem to cause burn issues/construction problems. At least I've had that experience.

rusirius

laker1963

rwheelwright

"Check out the batwing ***" "It's sooooooo veiny"

phobicsquirrel

rwheelwright:

"Check out the batwing ***" "It's sooooooo veiny"

wow, that's just wrong.. oh my I didn't need that visual...

madurofan

Scrambler:

A lot of people seem to think that fewer veins means the tobacco is higher quality, probably because it means the roller is more selective with what leaves they use. Big veins can cause some burning issues, but I wouldn't worry about it.

To put this thread back on the tracks. Veiny cigars are called 'toothy'. Cameroons are famously toothy but generally have a bunch of small veins. The reason higher quality cigars typically don't have larger veins is they do affect the burn. The Nording by Rocky Patel is a good example of this, the cigar commonly has large veins and nerves burns evenly but IMHO thats ok. The flavor of the cigar makes up for the burn issues. However the rating establishments tend to disagree with that.

Scrambler

madurofan:

Veiny cigars are called 'toothy'. Cameroons are famously toothy

I thought "toothy" meant something more along the lines of bumpy?

kaspera79

madurofan:

Scrambler:

A lot of people seem to think that fewer veins means the tobacco is higher quality, probably because it means the roller is more selective with what leaves they use. Big veins can cause some burning issues, but I wouldn't worry about it.

To put this thread back on the tracks. Veiny cigars are called 'toothy'. Cameroons are famously toothy but generally have a bunch of small veins. The reason higher quality cigars typically don't have larger veins is they do affect the burn. The Nording by Rocky Patel is a good example of this, the cigar commonly has large veins and nerves burns evenly but IMHO thats ok. The flavor of the cigar makes up for the burn issues. However the rating establishments tend to disagree with that.

I always used the term "toothy" to describe a rough or bumpy wrapper without regard to the veins in it. But maybe that's just me.. Any other opinions ?

j0z3r

I've known toothy to describe a bumpy wrapper as well.

madurofan

kaspera79:

madurofan:

Scrambler:

A lot of people seem to think that fewer veins means the tobacco is higher quality, probably because it means the roller is more selective with what leaves they use. Big veins can cause some burning issues, but I wouldn't worry about it.

To put this thread back on the tracks. Veiny cigars are called 'toothy'. Cameroons are famously toothy but generally have a bunch of small veins. The reason higher quality cigars typically don't have larger veins is they do affect the burn. The Nording by Rocky Patel is a good example of this, the cigar commonly has large veins and nerves burns evenly but IMHO thats ok. The flavor of the cigar makes up for the burn issues. However the rating establishments tend to disagree with that.

I always used the term "toothy" to describe a rough or bumpy wrapper without regard to the veins in it. But maybe that's just me.. Any other opinions ?

Not meaning this as smart assed as it sounds but what else would cause a bumpy wrapper?

Scrambler

Just the texture of the leaf, small round(ish) bumps distributed all over the wrapper. Sandpaper would be an extreme example of this "toothiness".

kaspera79

When I say bumpy I mean like sand paper or like " goose-bumps" on the wrapper. I just know one when I pick it up. And it's not the veins, it's the space between the veins that is rougher.

kaspera79

Scrambler:

Just the texture of the leaf, small round(ish) bumps distributed all over the wrapper. Sandpaper would be an extreme example of this "toothiness".

You type to f***** fast with the same exact ideas as me.

madurofan

Hmmm ... hadn't thought about that. Research may be necessary. I've always thought of toothy as veiny but I'm familiar with the bumpy texture you're referring to. Never thought about it, it seems I may have been wrong all this time.

Specops4U

Im pretty cherry when it comes to cigars myself so i went a self educated by buying some books.  The "Cigar Companion" by Marvin Shanken (who happens to be a big wig with cigaraficianado.com) says that prominent veins can be a defect in the wrapper.  The book was a big help and has a pretty extensive cigar directory.  Got it a Barnes and Noble.  Just a suggestion but its kept me from looking like a dumbass so far (i think).

 

 

kuzi16

Specops4U

The majority of the book is the cigar directory fully equiped with pictures of the cigar and all their information and a brief history of the company that produced them.  The connoissuer's directory is pretty extensive also, most of which are cigars that are rated in the 95 to 100 range.  It was Cigar Companion or The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cigars and Cigar Companion was a book that I could leave on the coffee table.

 

Fourtotheflush

I beleive shanken is the creator/owner of Wine spectator and CA.

Specops4U

Thats what the books says also.  Id get a subscription to CA but they sure are proud of the damn thing. Its like 9 bucks an issue.

Fourtotheflush

There isnt much you can get from the subscription to the mag that you cannot get online. Ive picked up a couple issues and really there isnt much substance too it other than a few reviews of cigars thats available on the CA website.