Cigar Cravings

[ayepatz]

For various reasons - hectic work schedule, life-admin, guilt-detox - I often lay off the cigars for a few weeks at a time.

Although I would say that SP, SLR, and Partagas are probably my favourite and most regularly smoked marcas, I’ve noticed that it is never them that I crave after a few weeks’ abstinence.

It’s Bolivar.

Having never really thought much about it, it occurred to me that, after every layoff period, I find myself desperately craving a Boli for my first cigar back.

As the first properly good box of cigars I ever had was a box of BRC purchased here from Rob, I can’t shake the feeling that this is somehow some sort of Pavlovian response implanted in my subconscious by that evil genius, @El Presidente. ?

Does anyone else find that, after a break from smoking, they crave one marca above all others?

(Or that they’ve been brainwashed into thinking they do by Dr Pavrob? ?)

[nKostyan]

When I feel a thirst for Smoking in my memory there is a taste of cigars from the series Cohiba Linea Classica-a characteristic taste of cough medicine from herbs, which I was given as a child. It can also be a taste of Don Alejandro and Sir Winston - dark salted caramel.
I've never smoked a cigarettes and don't know what nicotine addiction is, but cigar craving is very similar to hunger when you want to eat.
Royal Coronas-magic cigar. When I tried it for the first time - I could not calm down until I bought it in the store and ate an assortment of "Oriental sweets". It is the taste of chestnut honey, which is put in these sweets after Smoking Royal Coronas haunted me...

[Derboesekoenig]

I've only been in the game for a few years, but have not noticed that I crave one marca or one flavor profile over another. However, I do DREAD getting sick (I'm getting over a cold right now), solely for the fact that I don't smoke during this time. My senses are all out of whack and I wouldn't get anything out of it, as I don't get anything out of food during this time. 

I do relate certain craving qualities with cigars to food though. Sometimes it's just amazing to have a nice cigar after a meal to close it out. I always crave different foods every week, and cigars are no different.

[MikeinKS]

What is this "lay off the cigars" of which you speak?  I may have to try that someday.

[wineguy]

I have that problem in the winter here in western Pennsylvania,   I have a couple clubs I can get smoke inside but they are not always convenient.  I tend to think of a return after a break as a treat and will usually have something long and skinny.  Fundy, Lancero, Monte Especial, 1, or especial 2....  Last sunday after a week or so off I went for a Trini Vigia from an unopened box and it was great. 

[TBird55]

8 hours ago, MikeinKS said:

What is this "lay off the cigars" of which you speak?  I may have to try that someday.

Never!!!

[Bill Hayes]

Classic Partagas - D4, short, 898

[Baccy]

Definitely Partagas for me. I'm a partagas fanatic. Bolivar packs a nice punch as we all know. That may be where the craving comes from...

[ErikB72]

Partagas as well here

[99call]

On 11/29/2018 at 2:42 PM, ayepatz said:

It’s Bolivar

For me it's a two tone craving, either the cedar, creamy porridge, floral magic that is Quai D'Orsay, or on the other end of the spectrum, the dark and brooding olds style 898s. 

For me any craving of a epicurean product is innately linked to the romance of the the place.   For example whenever smoking Sancho Panza, i'm imagining coastal tobacco fields, being sprayed by mists of sea spray, driven up and blown inland. I dare say that notion is absolute bollocks, but I find wonderful products wether it be cigars, cheese, or wine, transport you to the place of their production and artisinal creation. 

One perfect example of this, is last year, me and the missus did a few vinyard tours in Crete. We were introduced to a varietal called "Daphni".   Apparently Daphni means bayleaf, and it somehow all made so much sense. not only does the wine tastes incredibly strongly of bay, and eucalyptus, but the setting and the plants, the people, it all just fit perfectly. 

In one of Ken and Robs videos, they described a cigar as 'evocative',  and I think that hits the nail on the head.  Sometimes a cigar can transport you somewhere, and in these times, I think we often opt, for the brand that is most evocative. I can completely read Bolivar as that.      Something like Cohiba leaves me cold

[rcarlson]

Monte.  The chocolate lures me back. . . 

[PigFish]

... just tobacco! When I find myself enjoying the smell of a cigarette, I know I am overdue a good cigar.

Sometimes the cigar crave, no brand non-sense with me, it is just a Partagas Chicos moment. When they made the Bolivar Demi Tasse, that was the 'need a hit' cigar. Now, just the Partagas Chicos.

-the Pig

[cfc1016]

My cravings can no longer be fulfilled. Black prince, boli demi tasse, and unvarnished 898 ?

[Derboesekoenig]

10 hours ago, PigFish said:

... just tobacco! When I find myself enjoying the smell of a cigarette, I know I am overdue a good cigar.

Sometimes the cigar crave, no brand non-sense with me, it is just a Partagas Chicos moment. When they made the Bolivar Demi Tasse, that was the 'need a hit' cigar. Now, just the Partagas Chicos.

-the Pig

Cigarette smoke to me is repulsive. I know, it sounds crazy, but I've been able to pick out cigarette smoke vs. CC smoke vs. NC smoke before even seeing anything, and cigarette smoke always makes me wince. Something about it

[HDGSN]

Partagas.  And usually a Short.

[Baccy]

To me 

1 hour ago, Derboesekoenig said:

Cigarette smoke to me is repulsive. I know, it sounds crazy, but I've been able to pick out cigarette smoke vs. CC smoke vs. NC smoke before even seeing anything, and cigarette smoke always makes me wince. Something about it

Agreed, and I'm pretty sure it smells so gross not because of the tobacco, but because of the synthetic glue, paper, added chemicals and preservatives, and whatever fire retardant substances they have added to make them "fire safe"

[Fugu]

On 11/29/2018 at 3:42 PM, ayepatz said:

It’s Bolivar.

Same here. Not really sure as to why this is so, but I think, while not unconditionally being my favourite marca Bolivar has always been the quintessential expression of a Cuban cigar for me.

18 hours ago, PigFish said:

When they made the Bolivar Demi Tasse, that was the 'need a hit' cigar

Ray, do yourself a favour, and get some current BT3s if not yet kept in your stash. Smoked a few 2016s recently and was literally blown away. Soo good, so satisfying. When you're in need of a Cuban shot, and if you like Boli of old - this is it!

[Derboesekoenig]

22 minutes ago, Fugu said:

Same here. Not really sure as to why this is so, but I think, while not unconditionally being my favourite marca Bolivar has always been the quintessential expression of a Cuban cigar for me.

Ray, do yourself a favour, and get some current BT3s if not yet kept in your stash. Smoked a few 2016s recently and was literally blown away. Soo good, so satisfying. When you're in need of a Cuban shot, and if you like Boli of old - this is it!

You never really hear much about the Bolivar tubos. Are they just a less refined version of something else in the regular lineup, or? I'm curious. I have a few No1s, but haven't tried them yet.

[Oscar300]

On 11/29/2018 at 3:18 PM, nKostyan said:

When I feel a thirst for Smoking in my memory there is a taste of cigars from the series Cohiba Linea Classica-a characteristic taste of cough medicine from herbs, which I was given as a child. It can also be a taste of Don Alejandro and Sir Winston - dark salted caramel.
I've never smoked a cigarettes and don't know what nicotine addiction is, but cigar craving is very similar to hunger when you want to eat.
Royal Coronas-magic cigar. When I tried it for the first time - I could not calm down until I bought it in the store and ate an assortment of "Oriental sweets". It is the taste of chestnut honey, which is put in these sweets after Smoking Royal Coronas haunted me...

That is different types of turkish balaclava, the green nuts are pistachios, made with tons of honey, dreamy!

[alloy]

13 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

You never really hear much about the Bolivar tubos. Are they just a less refined version of something else in the regular lineup, or? I'm curious. I have a few No1s, but haven't tried them yet.

You will absolutely Luv them! I had a box of No. 1's and smoked one after two weeks in the wineador. After that, I reached for one every day. Got to get some more.

[Fugu]

15 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said:

You never really hear much about the Bolivar tubos. Are they just a less refined version of something else in the regular lineup, or? I'm curious. I have a few No1s, but haven't tried them yet.

Never had a bad one.

Give them a few years and they shine. While the No. 3 can be a bit rough-looking at times, they are usually made to the same standards as the rest of the range. True, they aren't very popular - with the No. 1 recently axed - and most textbooks attach little, or lower, value to them. But this isn't correct in my opinion. The Bolívar Tubo series is quality cigars, with the No. 3 being one of the more underrrated cigars in the Cuban portfolio (not in terms of pricing since they aren't exactly cheap, but in terms of tobacco quality), as they are often dismissed as gas station sticks (actually, I've never seen them there). I don't really care much about the tube, though it may aid in aging, and would prefer to pay less for a non-tubed version. But this is the very last of the Panetelas formats (Placeras) in the Boli range remaining, so what can you do. I was surprised to see how great current production (seen 2014 and 16) is presenting itself. Bolívar is not to everybody's taste, so just try and dig into your T1s. Carefully check the moisture in fresher tubo-sticks, and never rush a No.3.

Some pics, testament to their usually solid construction:

T1 from 2006

T3 from 2016

Edit: The above stick was one of those occasions where you wonder why people (self not excluded) are chasing special production. Sure, not all are this good, but this one was like a small BCE on 'roids. Keeping me entertained for a good hour.

[Derboesekoenig]

I'm going to have to start grabbing some boxes when I see them. Current CUC price for No2s are 142,50, and No3s are only 102,50. Doubt I'll find anymore No1s. Thanks for your recommendation! I love Boli flavors all around