bacon.jay:I was thinking today about different sizes/shapes of cigars and wondered some things and thought i'd ask here...I know that the size and shape of a cigar can have a huge impact on things like draw, burn, and smoking temperature, but i didn't know if it helps determine flavor? like for example, a buddy of mine from college tried to tell me that the larger the ring gauge the cigar is, the more different types of tobacco are blended in. I don't believe that because i know that the same blends are used for all sizes of a particular cigar. but i didn't know if things like larger ring size, opening, length, etc affect flavor?like, does a cigar that burns hotter (say, robusto) taste very much different than the same blend in a smaller, cooler stick (churchill or baron de rothschild)?or, the difference in burn between a dart or belicoso compared to a toro or similar?and, while we're on the topic of cigar sizes, if you have a preferred go-to cigar size, what is it and why?
Your first comment is exactly right, size and shape do have a huge impact, and there are subtle changes in flavor, but ive personally found this has more to do with how you're smoking a different size/shape than literal flavor changes between sizes.
As for your question "does a cigar that burns hotter taste much different than the same blend in a smaller, cooler stick" - Absolllllutely. But, not for the reason you suggested. Its just easier to control your intake on different sized cigars. If the cigar is a lot smaller, you're going to really have to not overdraw it, because its going to really heat up, whereas if you're at the beginning of a churchill (By the way, churchills are bigger than robustos) then you can go to town without too much heat and tar buildup initially. Cigars that burn hotter taste more bitter, chemically rough, you get tongue bite, and its unpleasant. Cool smoke is happy smoke, which is why you dont keep ashing your cigar, it cools the smoke.
Preferred size - Churchill if its one of my preferred sticks, Robusto if its a sampler stick
I like churchills because it allows a favorite stick of mine to be a long drawn out pleasant experience, and theres a longer "sweet spot" in which everything comes together in a well made cigar, smoke stays cool, far enough in to get past the initial lightup burn, which isnt always amazing. I find that spot to generally be between the first and second quarter of the cigar, roughly 1/3rd in, and its easier to feel out and maintain in a churchill. In fact, i think this is the advertising strategy behind nub cigars, but they use a really amazing filler for a very short length of cigar.
P.S Edit - The fact that you referenced baron de rothschild as a regular sizing makes me think you come from the macanudo world. They as a brand arent well recieved on these forums
Vidarien: bacon.jay:I was thinking today about different sizes/shapes of cigars and wondered some things and thought i'd ask here...I know that the size and shape of a cigar can have a huge impact on things like draw, burn, and smoking temperature, but i didn't know if it helps determine flavor? like for example, a buddy of mine from college tried to tell me that the larger the ring gauge the cigar is, the more different types of tobacco are blended in. I don't believe that because i know that the same blends are used for all sizes of a particular cigar. but i didn't know if things like larger ring size, opening, length, etc affect flavor?like, does a cigar that burns hotter (say, robusto) taste very much different than the same blend in a smaller, cooler stick (churchill or baron de rothschild)?or, the difference in burn between a dart or belicoso compared to a toro or similar?and, while we're on the topic of cigar sizes, if you have a preferred go-to cigar size, what is it and why? Your first comment is exactly right, size and shape do have a huge impact, and there are subtle changes in flavor, but ive personally found this has more to do with how you're smoking a different size/shape than literal flavor changes between sizes. As for your question "does a cigar that burns hotter taste much different than the same blend in a smaller, cooler stick" - Absolllllutely. But, not for the reason you suggested. Its just easier to control your intake on different sized cigars. If the cigar is a lot smaller, you're going to really have to not overdraw it, because its going to really heat up, whereas if you're at the beginning of a churchill (By the way, churchills are bigger than robustos) then you can go to town without too much heat and tar buildup initially. Cigars that burn hotter taste more bitter, chemically rough, you get tongue bite, and its unpleasant. Cool smoke is happy smoke, which is why you dont keep ashing your cigar, it cools the smoke. Preferred size - Churchill if its one of my preferred sticks, Robusto if its a sampler stick I like churchills because it allows a favorite stick of mine to be a long drawn out pleasant experience, and theres a longer "sweet spot" in which everything comes together in a well made cigar, smoke stays cool, far enough in to get past the initial lightup burn, which isnt always amazing. I find that spot to generally be between the first and second quarter of the cigar, roughly 1/3rd in, and its easier to feel out and maintain in a churchill. In fact, i think this is the advertising strategy behind nub cigars, but they use a really amazing filler for a very short length of cigar. P.S Edit - The fact that you referenced baron de rothschild as a regular sizing makes me think you come from the macanudo world. They as a brand arent well recieved on these forums
kuzi16:50-55 isnt smaller at all. thats actually fairly large. the market is dominated by these because the large ring is fairly popular right now. it seems that I have been going to 48 and lower as of late- just because of more flavor. with a smaller ring stick you get a hotter burn but a better wrapper to filler ratio (if you slow your smoking down itll burn cooler) if you get a larger ring cigar you will burn cooler but the wrapper to filler isnt as good.edit.how does a larger ring gauge result in cooler smoke? when you draw on a cigar you have a tendency to draw the same amount of smoke regardless of the ring gauge. so if you are drawing on that small cigar you are forcing more air past that one tiny spot. when the ring is larger the oxygen is more spread out. think of it this way. take a feep breath in and blow hard on a bed of hot coals. they all glow brighter. now take a deep breath and open your mouth as wide as you can and let you breath out as fast as you can over the same bed of coals. what got the fire hotter?
Rob1110:I think it's important to mention that you may prefer a certain cigar in a certain size due to the type of of tobacco used in the mix. It's a known fact that wrapper contributes much of the flavor to the cigar, but in larger ring gauges, filler can begin to really influence the profile as well. So in a cigar where the wrapper is top notch, very flavorful wrapper, you may prefer a smaller ring gauge, but other cigars may be more enjoyable in a very thick (55 - 60) ring gauge. Two examples - Opus X - I've only had two, but preferred the smaller ring gauge as the wrapper is very nice in this cigar - La Aroma De Cuba - I love the immensa (6x60) - slow burning, cool, flavorful smoke. Still, overall my favorite shape is a perfecto.
phobicsquirrel: Rob1110:I think it's important to mention that you may prefer a certain cigar in a certain size due to the type of of tobacco used in the mix. It's a known fact that wrapper contributes much of the flavor to the cigar, but in larger ring gauges, filler can begin to really influence the profile as well. So in a cigar where the wrapper is top notch, very flavorful wrapper, you may prefer a smaller ring gauge, but other cigars may be more enjoyable in a very thick (55 - 60) ring gauge.Two examples - Opus X - I've only had two, but preferred the smaller ring gauge as the wrapper is very nice in this cigar - La Aroma De Cuba - I love the immensa (6x60) - slow burning, cool, flavorful smoke. Still, overall my favorite shape is a perfecto. exactly. I usually enjoy the 5-6 length with about 54-60 gauge, but some cigars are better in smaller RG and length. I never really thought about the wrapper being a large contributor to the flavor so I'll be paying attention more to that, I usually thought it was the goods under the wrapper... Well I do know the difference between a conni, habano, maduro and such so yeah I guess wrapper does play a big part...
Rob1110:I think it's important to mention that you may prefer a certain cigar in a certain size due to the type of of tobacco used in the mix. It's a known fact that wrapper contributes much of the flavor to the cigar, but in larger ring gauges, filler can begin to really influence the profile as well. So in a cigar where the wrapper is top notch, very flavorful wrapper, you may prefer a smaller ring gauge, but other cigars may be more enjoyable in a very thick (55 - 60) ring gauge.Two examples - Opus X - I've only had two, but preferred the smaller ring gauge as the wrapper is very nice in this cigar - La Aroma De Cuba - I love the immensa (6x60) - slow burning, cool, flavorful smoke. Still, overall my favorite shape is a perfecto.
A churchill rolled again and again with just maduro wrapper, would reach the cigar band maybe what...13 seconds or so after lightning?
Vidarien: (Though i will admit on 'many' brands i generally find the taste to be mostly the same among sizes..but thats probably because i generally stick to toros/churchs/torpedos.)
bwcarter54: phobicsquirrel: Rob1110:I think it's important to mention that you may prefer a certain cigar in a certain size due to the type of of tobacco used in the mix. It's a known fact that wrapper contributes much of the flavor to the cigar, but in larger ring gauges, filler can begin to really influence the profile as well. So in a cigar where the wrapper is top notch, very flavorful wrapper, you may prefer a smaller ring gauge, but other cigars may be more enjoyable in a very thick (55 - 60) ring gauge.Two examples - Opus X - I've only had two, but preferred the smaller ring gauge as the wrapper is very nice in this cigar - La Aroma De Cuba - I love the immensa (6x60) - slow burning, cool, flavorful smoke. Still, overall my favorite shape is a perfecto. exactly. I usually enjoy the 5-6 length with about 54-60 gauge, but some cigars are better in smaller RG and length. I never really thought about the wrapper being a large contributor to the flavor so I'll be paying attention more to that, I usually thought it was the goods under the wrapper... Well I do know the difference between a conni, habano, maduro and such so yeah I guess wrapper does play a big part...Why don't they make a cigar out of wrapper tobacco if this is what influences flavor so much? Would it smoke or would it be to expensive to buy? Or would that totally ruin the flavor all together? Like a 100% cammeroon or maduro cigar. Seems like an odd question but I haven't read anything on here that addresses this.
Vidarien:A churchill rolled again and again with just maduro wrapper, would reach the cigar band maybe what...13 seconds or so after lightning?
ScottU:So if I understand right, a larger cigar will taste better? Will it get rid of the morning after taste?I like robusto's and toro's personally.
ScottU:I like robusto's and toro's personally.
