2014 Blind Tasting Competiton After Thoughts Thread

[Edwhatever]

First things first, we cannot thank the Czar team enough for putting this competition together. Yes indeed there were many laughs, facepalms, and kicking one's own behind. Alastair's logistical management was incredible, not to mention the ongoing humor. Thank you Alastair for having to put up with us who submitted our answers late, and what not, you are the star behind the scenes.

I would like to start a thread for those who participated to share their overall thoughts and experience of this competition.

Much like previous competition, many of us have learned a great deal about ourselves and cigars, a truly humbling experience. Just 2 years ago I started participating and got a 0/3, I was disappointing at myself, but other members' positive/humorous attitude encouraged me to try again, and more importantly to have fun. As a response to the challenge of if I am able to defend the title of 'Champion', I would like to put it differently. I see it as more like 'Passing on the Torch' from previous champions to me, and from me to the next. Lest we forget those reasons why we enjoy cigars as a community, the fun, celebrations, and good times.

The funny thing is, I almost pulled out of the competition this year due to a one month late shipment arrival of my blind tasting cigars... I was offered a refund twice, but I'm glad that I stayed. I would like to thank my friends here Blackham, Wang, and Lonsadaleto (Also supporters of the Lung Kong Association in Havana). For the tasting of Cigar #1, with my cigars absent, my friends offered to review the cigar together while letting me take puffs from their cigars. These guys are awesome, now please stop making fun of my admiration for David Tang.

Here are a few notable after-thoughts on the cigars themselves:
Cigar #1 Partagas D4
As mentioned above, I shared and reviewed this cigar with friends. With 3 of the same cigars, we had 3 different answers. This really shows that the most popular robusto is suffering from inconsistency. Supply/demand? If we don't know, we'll never know

Cigar #2 HDM Epi 2
I'm glad that I have a box from Czar's that I could compare. The spiciness at the opening/1st third really tested my faith. Having great Epi 2's in the past which were much milder and lack of kick, recent productions of these are definietly different. These aged for 4 years however, are just crackers!

Cigar #3 Monte Open
The apprence really got me think this was a RyJ Short Churchill. So I smoked them both at the same time, one in each hand like a tosser. Lesson learned, when you smoke 2 cigars at the same time, the flavours blend on your palate and they'll end up tasting the same.

Cigar #5 Bolivar Royal Corona
Yes, I also had a hard time choosing between a BRC vs RASS. I even had a BRC the day before and took notes. Comparing the 2 BRC's I thought that they were different, in a way were the flavours were the same, however the emphasis of a certain flavour were more pronounced than the other. For example, the Blind Taste cigar was more spicy in the 1st third, and other nueances were overpowered. Even though the Blind Taste cigar tasted different than the BRC I had before, it wasn't different enough for me to say for sure that it was not a BRC. The strong nicotine punch in the 2nd third also helped me decide.


Anyway, it was a fun and surely intense competition for me, cannot wait until next time. Shout-out to the Toronto MegaHerf, see you all there!

What are your thoughts are on the competition overall?

Edward

[bradbrennan]

Great topic, thanks!

[CaptainQuintero]

Most importantly it confirmed what I thought about the Monte Opens, shame Habanos shame!!

[Pedro2486]

Though I didn't participate in this experience I feel I have learned much about the way different palates and conditions affect how people will perceive a cigar.

Great job all and congrats to Ed

[Edwhatever]

Though I didn't participate in this experience I feel I have learned much about the way different palates and conditions affect how people will perceive a cigar.

Great job all and congrats to Ed

It is a great experience, also very fun. Try it out next year!

5 cigars however are time consuming considering it will last 5 months. Maybe the competition will comsider making it a 3 cigar thing again next year?

[mrsgucia]

Congratulation! Well done! Let's see if you can defend your title next year. I'll be taking part in it for sure.

[Edwhatever]

Congratulation! Well done! Let's see if you can defend your title next year. I'll be taking part in it for sure.

Look forward to it! Aparently 3/4 year's chsmpion is from the GTA crew. We are doing alright