Cigar downsizing...are there parallels with ageing?

[El Presidente]

By ageing, I mean personal ageing....not cigar ageing

I am not sure if I am in the minority. I do know Ken still thinks cigar wrapper strips should be invented in order to put three Partagas shorts together in order to make it worthwhile

The older I get, the less attraction I have to large gauged cigars. I would swap my own cohiba 1966's for a good box of Monte 4, Ramon Allones Superiores, 898's, PLPC etc.

It is not that the 1966 is not a very good cigar, it just doesn't provide me with the compact punch and flavour I am looking for. I find it a chore to smoke.

The H. Upmann Magnum 56 LE is one of the best cigars I have had in a while. Huge flavour. Will age brilliantly. I wish it was a Corona Gorda. I find the size a chore to smoke. if it wasn't so good, I wouldn't

smoke it outside of review purposes.

I looked at my personal inventory list from a decade ago to what it is today. Without realizing it I have downsized to formats 46 gauge and under (70% of my personal stock).

I know that some members say there is more "balance and complexity" in larger formats but it is not something I generally experience. I look down to the HDM Epi 1 or Monte Especiale in my hand and wonder if it is even possible.

If I had to pick 100 boxes for myself today to last the next decade, outside of the Upmann LE, not one would be over 50 gauge. 90% would be 46 gauge and below.

I would take 2 boxes of real quality Monty 4 for each box of Partagas Lusi Reserva I hold. It is not that the Lusi Reserva is not a great cigar.....but if everytime I look at it I wince and reach for a Monte 4 ...then why hold them?

I catch up with the Sydney lads regularly and as is par for the course we swap cigars. great cigars are offered but they will invariably hear me ask if they have a petit corona.

Is it age? or is it just knowing what you like? maybe both.

For those who have been smoking for 10/15/20 years, have you followed a similar path in your cigar "circle of life"

Have a cracker weekend!

PS.....no...don't email me to trade Lusi's or cohiba 1966 for your Monte 4

[WhiteMamba]

As a newb to the dark side I have started off with PC's mainly for price reasons. Now that I am getting a little more comfortable in the CC game I have been branching out to a little larger cigars but I certainly can still appreciate the smaller formats. They both seem to have their strengths and weaknesses. In the end life is to short to smoke cigars you don't like. As some of my friends say, "Smoke what you like, like what you smoke."

[Kbb]

I don't think you are getting old and that it is changing your tastes. I suspect you just gravitate to what you like. You have access to pretty much whatever you want. At some point you say, why waste time with something you "might" like.

Same goes for some in cold climates. You get a patch of good weather. Do you smoke something new that may be great or eh? Or smoke what you know hits the spot. I reach for the higher probability of satisfaction.

Just my 2 cents.

[Jeremy Festa]

I don't think you are getting old and that it is changing your tastes. I suspect you just gravitate to what you like. You have access to pretty much whatever you want. At some point you say, why waste time with something you "might" like.

Same goes for some in cold climates. You get a patch of good weather. Do you smoke something new that may be great or eh? Or smoke what you know hits the spot. I reach for the higher probability of satisfaction.

Just my 2 cents.

Really well said

[UnofficialGhost]

I completely agree Rob.

When i started smoking cigars I had this image in my head that cigars had to be a certain size. I blame a mixture of 80's action movies and Bugs Bunny cartoons. So Churchill & Robusto Extra vitola's were mainly what I bought.

As my smoking went from a couple of time a year to a couple of times a week, I noticed that I gravitated towards sub-50 RG more to accommodate for time. They were always on the cheap side because they weren't something i set out to "enjoy" but merely to smoke in a group setting etc. So short filler minutos. It wasn't until I bought, and smoked half-through, my first box of Bolivar PC's that I realized smaller vitolas could be just as tasty, enjoyable, and captivating as larger format. Instead of grabbing a smaller RG as just a time filler, it was an opportunity to take a journey that lasted 60-90 minutes instead of 2.5hrs.

Then I smoked a larger RG i had in my humidor.... and it felt uncomfortable. Too large, too heavy, took too long to smoke.

I now prefer PC, Corona, Pantela, Lonsdale, & CG vitola's. I have some larger RG on hand should the occasion warrant, but mostly I stick with what feels comfortable.

When my wife had our first child 2 years ago, it just cemented my commitment to stock up on smaller RG. I kind of have to steal time away now one the weekend (or sometimes my lunch hour).

But I think it's just a personal preference and it can always change tomorrow.

[Jeremy Festa]

Rob, I just think you are a cigar hipster and like to smoke the skinnies just like I like to wear skinny jeans.

Whatever floats your boat I suppose.

But yes. Cigars have a beautiful ritual to them and I like to feel a little classy when enjoying a cigar.

Those torreon are amazing. But the size annoys me. Same as those 520.

Marevas, Coronas, Dalias, Britannicas and Churchills. Are the most hipster cigar vitolas. Which is where I spend my money.

[JohnS]

I'm definitely with you Rob, amongst cigar enthusiasts I don't think you are in the minority. I'm trying to keep to sub-50 ring gauge acquisitions too, the only issue is that Habanos S.A keep deleting these sizes so I'm forced to get a Dip No.2 when I want to enjoy a Diplomáticos blended cigar or if I want to enjoy Cohiba cigars (my favourite marca) Siglo I's and II's aren't coming up in quality stock as much as the IV's, Robustos or VI's currently.

Sometimes, there's nothing like a simple H.Upmann Magnum 46 or Juan Lopez Seleccion No.1 to end a hard day at the office!

[El Presidente]

Rob, I just think you are a cigar hipster and like to smoke the skinnies just like I like to wear skinny jeans.

Whatever floats your boat I suppose.

But yes. Cigars have a beautiful ritual to them and I like to feel a little classy when enjoying a cigar.

Those torreon are amazing. But the size annoys me. Same as those 520.

Marevas, Coronas, Dalias, Britannicas and Churchills. Are the most hipster cigar vitolas. Which is where I spend my money.

You Hipster you .........that is why you and Smithy get on so well

[PigFish]

Been there a long time mate... Larger cigars are just not really my thing.

Yeah, I smoke a Monte 2 now and again, same with a Lanceros and Monte Esp 1, and in general if I am going long, I am going long and skinny. But I would rather chain smoke Dip 5's, Monty 5's, du Deputes and others than sit with a long cigar. I almost feel 'tied down' to a longer cigar, to the point that I pass them up often when smoking.

I really enjoy a nice long cigar when I take one out and clip it, but getting me past the 'spilled' mixed bag of smaller cigars that I usually pull from is just an obstacle.

Good thread. Just had a conversation with one of my Ozzy mates where we talked some about this, today!

-Piggy

[mygar]

46 is my favorite as well. Coronas or petite corona is my prefered size. I get plenty of flavor and complexity and like how they feel in hand and mouth. Also seem to get better burn.. less touch ups. I do like some other sizes... but time commitment not so much unless im not too busy

[earthson]

10 years smoking cigars steadily since that first Gurkha G3 hooked me (put your guffaws away, cretins!)

8 years smoking CC since the mighty humble RASS hooked me (keep your RA RE for the easily impressed).

These days, a PC is an "average" size with robustos being "big" and anything in the 38- RG being a "connoisseur's delight."

I think smaller cigar "punch" better, too, and a HUC1 is less satisfying than a HUPC and a PLPC is much better than a Picadores.

Am I old? The 25-year-old who works next to me says I am.

[kaleehb]

I agree. I have always gravitated toward smaller cigars (I.e., corona Gorda, corona, pantela), however, it seems to me that the production market is moving the opposite direction. Cigars, both Cuban and non-Cuban, are being produced in ring gauges never seen before....60+. I have never smoked anything larger than a 54RG and have no desire to do so. Sad though to think the smaller sizes are disappearing....

[Corylax18]

I prefer to stay smaller than a 46 as well. Mid 40s is a sweet spot for me. I haven't been smoking for 15 years quite yet, but I have always preferred the smaller ring gauges, I think they are more pleasant to smoke.

That being said, I love Monte 2's, and BBFs as well. If cut right the business end stays below a 50 gauge. Lusi's are a great special occasion cigar, or maybe for a football game, but unless you have the time to invest they can be too much. My humi is Stocked with PL Montecarlos, LGC MDO 4s, lanceros, and coronas.

[El Presidente]

I prefer to stay smaller than a 46 as well. Mid 40s is a sweet spot for me. I haven't been smoking for 15 years quite yet, but I have always preferred the smaller ring gauges, I think they are more pleasant to smoke.

That being said, I love Monte 2's, and BBFs as well. If cut right the business end stays below a 50 gauge. Lusi's are a great special occasion cigar, or maybe for a football game, but unless you have the time to invest they can be too much. My humi is Stocked with PL Montecarlos, LGC MDO 4s, lanceros, and coronas.

Smoking a BBF now. Seriously pound for pound, dollar for dollar, I can't find better since late 2013.

Maybe it is the taper. But I don't feel like I am smoking a big cigar.

[Habana Mike]

Smoking a BBF now. Seriously pound for pound, dollar for dollar, I can't find better since late 2013.

Maybe it is the taper. But I don't feel like I am smoking a big cigar.

Yeah,that or the Scotch and painkillers

[LGC]

Started with smaller cigars because I was in school and on a budget... and didn't sell cigars for profit.

Smaller ring gauge cigars were relatively easy to come by with age. I never bought boxes with less than 3-4 years of age... unless to lay down.

What are now considered "skinny" cigars were not highly targeted because they weren't yet discontinued and collectable.

2003 Siglo VI was the first ( and last) box of fat cigars I ever bought.

So I guess my tastes really never change. The sad part is that there's hardly any remaining cigars I'm interested in buying anymore... only a couple PCs, Panatelas, etc. The good news is that I don't smoke very often.

[El Presidente]

2003 Siglo VI was the first ( and last) box of fat cigars I ever bought.

Did/do you enjoy those?

Still one of the greats (first releases) to my mind.

[westg]

Rob, I just think you are a cigar hipster and like to smoke the skinnies just like I like to wear skinny jeans.

Whatever floats your boat I suppose.

But yes. Cigars have a beautiful ritual to them and I like to feel a little classy when enjoying a cigar.

Those torreon are amazing. But the size annoys me. Same as those 520.

Marevas, Coronas, Dalias, Britannicas and Churchills. Are the most hipster cigar vitolas. Which is where I spend my money.

And I thought you were a cargo man all day long...

[Ken Gargett]

I don't think you are getting old and that it is changing your tastes. I suspect you just gravitate to what you like. You have access to pretty much whatever you want. At some point you say, why waste time with something you "might" like.

makes a lot of sense but i would add that i suspect that what most people move to are cigars of complexity, subtlety and elegance. if i can relate it to wine, often the newcomers to wine, no matter how zealous, jump into the big flavours, richness, high alcohol levels. understandable. with time, most move to more elegant and complex wines. as an example, you might move from a big bold over the top barossa shiraz to a fine burgundy or pinot noir.

i don't think it is so much a matter of size.

[Ken Gargett]

You Hipster you .........that is why you and Smithy get on so well

smithy is just happy if anyone will talk to him.

[Ken Gargett]

By ageing, I mean personal ageing....not cigar ageing

I am not sure if I am in the minority. I do know Ken still thinks cigar wrapper strips should be invented in order to put three Partagas shorts together in order to make it worthwhile

The older I get, the less attraction I have to large gauged cigars. I would swap my own cohiba 1966's for a good box of Monte 4, Ramon Allones Superiores, 898's, PLPC etc.

It is not that the 1966 is not a very good cigar, it just doesn't provide me with the compact punch and flavour I am looking for. I find it a chore to smoke.

The H. Upmann Magnum 56 LE is one of the best cigars I have had in a while. Huge flavour. Will age brilliantly. I wish it was a Corona Gorda. I find the size a chore to smoke. if it wasn't so good, I wouldn't

smoke it outside of review purposes.

I looked at my personal inventory list from a decade ago to what it is today. Without realizing it I have downsized to formats 46 gauge and under (70% of my personal stock).

I know that some members say there is more "balance and complexity" in larger formats but it is not something I generally experience. I look down to the HDM Epi 1 or Monte Especiale in my hand and wonder if it is even possible.

If I had to pick 100 boxes for myself today to last the next decade, outside of the Upmann LE, not one would be over 50 gauge. 90% would be 46 gauge and below.

I would take 2 boxes of real quality Monty 4 for each box of Partagas Lusi Reserva I hold. It is not that the Lusi Reserva is not a great cigar.....but if everytime I look at it I wince and reach for a Monte 4 ...then why hold them?

I catch up with the Sydney lads regularly and as is par for the course we swap cigars. great cigars are offered but they will invariably hear me ask if they have a petit corona.

Is it age? or is it just knowing what you like? maybe both.

For those who have been smoking for 10/15/20 years, have you followed a similar path in your cigar "circle of life"

Have a cracker weekend!

PS.....no...don't email me to trade Lusi's or cohiba 1966 for your Monte 4

i will ignore the dig but point out that apparently you won't put your money where your mouth is!

more seriously, remember that you smoke several cigars a day on a usual day (i may be a bit out but thereabouts - is that correct?). i smoke a couple a week at most in a rare week (fishing holiday might be different) and often don't smoke any all week or even for a couple of weeks. so for me, much more of an event, an occasion. that helps sway me to bigger cigars, i'm sure.

if you were smoking big cigars at any stage of the day, it would very quickly become a chore. i have no doubt that if i did smoke every day, even a couple a day, i would strongly prefer smaller cigars.

[Guest]

I have found that in my 40's, I now enjoy panatelas and lonsdales much more than I used to. (However, I have always loved P898's.)

It's a beautiful summer we've been having here, and I have been enjoying the hell out of Monte Especial 2's. Every afternoon after work I go to my stash and I look straight past my larger format cigars.

Is it because I'm older? I don't think so, and I believe that it's just because they're consistently good / better. I don't have to fight them, and I can just enjoy them. Smoking another ME2 as I write this.

[planetary]

I'm in my 40s, but a relatively new cigar smoker. Question for you guys with more experience...

Given the choice, would you rather smoke (1) a larger ring gauge cigar in your desired flavor profile, or (2) a perfectly sized cigar that is not quite in your ideal flavor profile? Curious if blend or size matters more...

[anacostiakat]

Interesting thought. Certainly I have found in my experience that both anything over about 50 (with a couple exceptions like Behike 54's, Sublimes,etc.) as well as stronger cigars (NC's mostly) has changed dramatically.

I do believe that part of this is that the corona gorda/grande etc. tend to be good indicators of blend for a marca and is a good size. Still, I smoke more Churchills/DC's and PC/Minutos than anything else. They just fit my retirement happy hour time. Even though the corona gorda is well represented in my humi's as well as others.

[Blazer]

I think we all start with the "more is better" philosophy and big ring gage cigars have that air of success and virility to them. Over time we start to learn that bigger is not always better and find intricacies in smaller more refined smokes. We learn how much impact the wrapper can have on small RG cigar and how an amazing small smoke leaves us wanting more and how we can't wait for a big stick to go out for the final time. I don't chalk it up to age rather, like many things in life, I see it as EXPERIENCE.