Explore the intricate and deeply personal experience of enjoying a great cigar and the bittersweet satisfaction of a memorable smoke.
Greetings once more, dear reader. Today, I have something novel in store for you. Allow me to indulge in a few moments of thoughtful rambling, with the hope that amidst my pondering, a spark of value might ignite your day.
What does a great cigar taste like? This is indeed an abstract question. Many aficionados might ponder, "Is my cigar truly exceptional?" or "Could it be even better?" And if so, "How would I know?"
Great cigars share certain commonalities, yet they are deeply intertwined with each individual's base preference. For most, this preference distills into a taste profile we can relish without overthinking. Whether it's a Cuban or a New World cigar, the profile we regularly enjoy becomes a formative experience, shaping our palate and appreciation.
This experience is often enhanced by a complementary pairing, typically a fine coffee or a distinguished spirit. Upon reflection, it will taste like a good cigar, where the rich tobacco notes intertwine with the sweet undertones of whisky or the robust flavors of coffee, depending on your chosen accompaniment.
Is that all? Let’s dig a bit deeper into an analogy that might resonate with many. Consider a cigar as a piece of music. Just as music comprises various notes, a cigar possesses distinct flavors that dance around a particular terroir profile. You have your spices, sweet tones, woody aspects, and when they blend well together, they create a harmonious experience.
Imagine a piece of classical music, you can discern the cello or the violin if you concentrate, but they blend together seamlessly. However, if one section is too loud or a single chord is out of tune, the entire experience can become unpleasant or distracting. Beyond the individual notes, we quickly realize that balance is as crucial as all the elements within the orchestra.
With a great cigar, you shouldn’t notice any single "instrument" unless you choose to. Instead, you should simply enjoy in the ensemble and the overall symphony of flavors. New cigar smokers often feel immense pressure to detect specific notes like cinnamon or chocolate. However, this can be nearly impossible when starting out, and it remains a challenge even for seasoned aficionados.
I often hear, "I smoked that cigar and didn't taste any chocolate, so it must be bad." This scenario is akin to "not seeing the forest for the trees." The smoker focuses on one specific note while overlooking the other exceptional qualities present.
Another crucial aspect of enjoying a cigar is the texture of the smoke. The fragrant smoke can be light and easy to retrohale, while some cigars offer a rich, thick, dense smoke with more robust notes. In both situations, the lingering finish is a notable feature. I detect a spectrum here that is not analyzed enough, with fabulous cigars spread across its range.
I realize that an unpleasant cigar experience is easier to describe. You might encounter an overwhelming amount of spice with no depth of flavor, resulting in an itchy throat devoid of real taste, or experience the rampant presence of ammonia, as is often the case with counterfeit cigars. Harshness or abrasiveness should never be part of your experience. A great cigar should simply be a source of pure pleasure.
Taking it further, a great cigar possesses a clarity of flavor that is both delightful and balanced. While you might not be able to describe the taste perfectly on the spot—such articulation takes time and, in some cases, effort—the notes will be clear and rounded. You will be able to define the character of the cigar, which makes for a truly enjoyable experience.
Let’s remain on the subject of flavor and delve a bit deeper. Flavor is created in your mind, it’s an impulse in your brain. The many chemicals in a carefully crafted cigar float in the air as you smoke, but it’s not until your taste buds send impulses to your brain that the sensation of flavor is born. It’s a truly spectacular moment, if you ask me. I also believe there’s a touch of magic involved—a very special trick, if you will. The brain must sift through clues and various signals to construct a picture of flavor, one which will be unique to you. Elements such as smoke texture, the color of the wrapper, and past experiences all contribute to this beautiful flavor painting your brain uniquely creates.
This means the results are unique to you. If you give two aficionados the same cigar, they might each end up with a different picture, and that is completely okay. Could this be why some aficionados claim Cuban cigars are superior, and why we struggle to agree on this matter? I am certain that the mental pictures our brains create are why both answers are correct. What I like may differ from what you like, and we should accept or even celebrate that. Personal preference is immune to criticism, isn’t it?
Anticipation is another crucial element in the enjoyment of a cigar. I often find myself enthusiastic before lighting up one of my favorites or a cigar I've never tried but am eager to experience. This sense of eager expectation adds to the overall pleasure, heightening the enjoyment even before the first puff.
Before I let you go and conclude my rambling, I want to add one more thing. A great cigar should always leave you wanting more, it should evoke a feeling of romantic sadness when it is finished. For me, this feeling is particularly poignant after savoring a rare vintage Habano, especially knowing that with each one I enjoy, there is one less in the world.