Flavor Consistency / Perfection - Do You Really want It?

[Colt45]

If every cigar you smoked were perfect, might it lead to the smoking experience becoming a little ho-hum, or does dealing with occaisonal

mediocrity make you appreciate the gems that much more?

Giving it a little thought, I suppose that if I smoked only one cigar and all were perfect, it might be like eating the same food all the time. But

if I smoke various marques and sizes, all of which were great, the variety could help alleviate the possibility of monotony.

From a different perspective, could perfection be bad for (some) business? Using our hosts as an example, as a business entity (putting friendship

aside for a moment), what sets the Czar Crew apart from others - hands on, personal service? If every cigar were perfect, would there be a need to

go through box after box, picking and choosing only the best? Overall, what would the effect be?

Just thinking out loud - again

[Danashan]

I think thinking that variance in cigar quality is a way to alleviate monotony, is like saying "all the apples of all varietals I buy are great, which is boring, if only 3 out of 5 has some worms and rot inside". As another tack - NC are vastly more consistent, but you don't see people here in States clamoring for crappy quality, "just like cubans, mmmm".

I don't see why Czar would be affected by better quality stock. I, personally, buy from Czar for old fashioned personalized service and reliability. Being able to pick up a stock that has better chance of not "having some worms and rot inside" for small price increase for the selection work they do, is just a bonus, to me personally.

My 2c.

[CigarmanTim]

If every cigar you smoked were perfect, might it lead to the smoking experience becoming a little ho-hum, or does dealing with occaisonal

mediocrity make you appreciate the gems that much more?

Yes yes yes. I have thought this myself. Can you say NC's? they are nearly perfectly consistant. Give me a cc any day.

[dicko]

I tend to get about 75-80% good construction etc. I mean the 4 out of 6 which are great are just that, great! But hang on, that means 1 or 2 out of 6 which are crappy. Imagine if each time you went to the bottle-o and bought a 6 pack of beer and 2 of them were horrible/broken! there would be hell to pay!

To answer your specific question. Yes, you don't always want steak every night, sometimes you just want a hot dog. but that doesn't mean you would except an uncooked/off steak

interesting thread, thanks Colt

[Trimble]

Giving it a little thought, I suppose that if I smoked only one cigar and all were perfect, it might be like eating the same food all the time. But

if I smoke various marques and sizes, all of which were great, the variety could help alleviate the possibility of monotony.

I believe that the latter portion of the above statement provides the best answer to your question! In regards to your food analogy, though there are a variety of alike foods available for consumption (similar to cigar markas & vitolas) even if you were to eat the same type of food on a regular basis (or smoke the same marka & vitola), in a perfect world wouldn't you still have variety due to certain inevitables such as production dates, age, and so on?

[Habanos2000]

I would be a happy camper if every cigar I had was perfect. Just think of it, no plugged cigars, no youthful flavors, even burns all the way through! How could anyone complain about that, certainly not I.

[habone]

I'll take perfection. Imagine every time u fire up a CC its gonna be great. Thats what I want! I'll take ho hum all day long thank you!!

[thechenman]

I'd have to vote for perfecton. As you said Colt...perfection across various marcas and vitolas would keep one from being bored...and i you every wanted to really change it up...pick up an NC every now and then. I still do that.

[mbrody]

I would want perfection; however, if that did happen, I am sure my interest would waiver. It is the lack of perfection which makes me appreciate the blockbusters that much more. In order for the hobby to remain enjoyable, perfection must be elusive and just out of grasp.

[MrGlass]

Interesting topic. I have no doubts that there are people for whom perfection would be perfect. These would be the sort of person who has found a cigar they like and smoke nothing but it.

As for me, I'd probably prefer more consistency. Perfection would take out that thrill of finding a perfect smoke as you said. It's those special ones I remember that keep me coming back. If given the option, I would prefer them come through a little more frequently though.

[StumpyJoe]

Ok, mind you, I'm on my second generous pour of GlenFiddich 18 year accompanied by a sublime HdM DC 08...but I'm going to try for a fitting annology.

It's like golf...I'm not great at golf...but I love it...and when I sink that 20 foot putt with a huge break...well, that's why the game is glorious and I keep coming back. CC's are like that and NC's are not. Would I like to see the consistency improve...yes...but that's not why I smoke them. The journey is why it's worthwhile, not necessarily the destination. We all want to get somewhere...but it's the journey and not necessarily the destination that makes it worthwhile.

Great topic Colt,

Mike.

[samb]

It does seen like the small inconsistencies help to break up the monotony of smoking so many cigars. I think that a perfect smoke every time may also make it seem like the rolling is less of an artisan craft.

[cigarros]

I'd have to vote for perfecton. As you said Colt...perfection across various marcas and vitolas would keep one from being bored...and i you every wanted to really change it up...pick up an NC every now and then. I still do that.

+1)) Tastes differ. Two is company, but three is none LOL))

[BobLobLaw]

Good topic. I would take flavor and burn consistency and perfection in a heartbeat. There are still so many other factors such as who you are with, where you are, what else you have to do that day, what you ate/drank that you would still have different experiences with the same vitola.

[Mel]

I love shitty cigars that won't draw and taste like ammonia. I can't stand the thought of spending good hard earned money and enjoying all of the cigars in the box. Where is the joy if I can't throw a few out the truck window?

Damn Colt are you daft mate??????LOL Wasted money is never fun and I'd rather smoke 25 cigars to a box. Are you the kind of guy that would discard a supermodel girl friend that made to much money and was without flaw for BORDOM??????? Still love ya but........

[Colt45]

Damn Colt are you daft mate??????

You have to ask?

I'm not advocating poor cigars or even suggesting that one should smoke sub-par cigars in order to increase appreciation of great cigars. It's really not more than

a thought. One could eat filet mignon daily for dinner and while it might be good, isn't it possible that it could dull one's appreciation for it?

This opens up other ways to consider it (as members have mentioned) - how often one smokes, why we smoke, etc.

[mbrody]

Good way to put it Colt: "One could eat filet mignon daily for dinner and while it might be good, isn't it possible that it could dull one's appreciation for it?"

I'm with you...

[MrGlass]

To quote Futurama:

Clyde Smith: [smith is run over by a car, then awakes in a casino. He plays the slot machine and wins] Ha-ha-ha! A casino where I'm winning? That car must've killed me. I must be in heaven!

[wins again]

Clyde Smith: A casino where I always win. That's boring. I must really be... in Hell!

[BonVivant]

A variety is very desirable... Why not something fantastic (perfection is too much) from a different brand and size everyday, with consistency?

[aavkk]

I'm all for perfection, so long as each cigar is perfectly true to its original marca's blend. A perfect Cohiba Lancero will be very different and unique from a perfect ERDM Grandes de Espana. I wouldnt want perfection though if it was only 1 flavor profile.

[El Presidente]

I do want all my cigars to draw well and for the flavours to be true to that marque and vitola. However that is not "Perfection". "Perfection" is that sheer brilliance of experience that can not be bettered.

Wouldn't cigar reviews be boring....

PD4........Brilliant!

CORO.....Brilliant!

Cuaba....Brilliant!

Give me very good cigars and let the blenders and Gods of seasons and circumstance play their magic to tease and enthral.

Without those rare experiences of perfection I wouldn't know what perfection is let alone appreciate it when it does occur.

[thechenman]

You have to ask?

I'm not advocating poor cigars or even suggesting that one should smoke sub-par cigars in order to increase appreciation of great cigars. It's really not more than

a thought. One could eat filet mignon daily for dinner and while it might be good, isn't it possible that it could dull one's appreciation for it?

This opens up other ways to consider it (as members have mentioned) - how often one smokes, why we smoke, etc.

Why filet mignon every night? That would be like limiting yourself to only Cohibas. Why not have a NY Strip another night, a Ribeye on another, Porterhouse, Skirt...you get the idea. One does not have to eat the same steak everynight. One does not have to smoke a Cohiba everynight. There are multiple marcas to choose from, and if they are all perfect, they should all be great smoking experiences. You create your own variety.

[Mel]

Ok Colt you are daft and that's OK. I do understand your point and well taken. I'd be thrilled to have 24 out of 25 at least draw and burn.