Colt45 Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 For me: A proper draw / construction flavor balance depth of mouth feel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WYPirate Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 » For me: » » A proper draw / construction » flavor » balance » depth of mouth feel On a scale, with my limited experience, I prefer: 1) Flavor 2) Balance 3) A proper draw / construction 4) Depth of mouth feel I taste beer with the same criteria, except #3 of course. That is replaced by: Meets BJCP guidelines / Proper Carbonation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taino Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Number 1 2 and 3 to me is construction, a cigar that doesn't draw or burn well -to me- it's just not worth burning a match. After that it's flavour, complexity and not having bitter taste or aftertaste. To me most non cubans give me that bitterness, maybe it's a subjective thing If all checks are ok on the above I could ask for balance, if it taste bad or it's badly constructed, how could I ask for balance?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbrown Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Colt, I agree and in that order. I also think it is IMO depth of flavor that pushes a rating to 90+ when the other attibutes are present. Exactly why I really like the new release Mag 50! I just recieved my CA and had to laugh at their 89 for the new Upmann and 92's for some dry Dominicans!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aavkk Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 » For me: » » A proper draw / construction » flavor » balance » depth of mouth feel I would also agree with these 4 in that order. I will add that I find it important for a cigar to keep me interested and shift gears- whether it be body and/or flavor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anacostiakat Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 » For me: » » A proper draw / construction » flavor » balance » depth of mouth feel Complexity is probably what I strive for most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 As Taino has suggested, I think to a degree they all kind of go hand in hand. I love complexity as well, but my thinking is that as long as a cigar is flavorful enough, I can still enjoy it without being bored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamg Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Draw, draw and draw! If its too tight or too flimsy the cigar is deficient in yerms of flavour, complexity and balance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbrown Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Colt, Have you tried the new Mag 50? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 » Colt, » » Have you tried the new Mag 50? JD, I haven't - and I wish you guys would stop talking about them And I'd just like to add that the attribute I find least desirable in a cigar is "Essence de Smithé" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 A proper draw / construction Flavour Complexity Depth of mouth feel You realy can't ask any more from a cigar ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltatango Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 Construction / craftsmanship - it doesn't have to be a difficult vitola but it should be lovingly made Finesse - this could be a simple blend that is perfected or a complex blend that changes gracefully. Aroma - so much of smoking it is smelling it Flavor - seems if the first three have been taken care of, number four will take care of itself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartan Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 DRAW!!! IMO a shitty draw kills the entire experience. Flavor Balance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anacostiakat Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 » As Taino has suggested, I think to a degree they all kind of go hand in » hand. » » I love complexity as well, but my thinking is that as long as a cigar » is flavorful enough, I can still enjoy it without being bored. Oh I agree with you. This really is true when you factor in ROI. With lower priced sticks that you like to go to. I can enjoy them while not really worrying about ageing or cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fugwumpy Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 I would have to put construction/draw at the top, nothing can ruin a cigar faster, IMHO. Then flavor & mouth feel. If a cigar hits those three, I consider it a solid smoke. Complexity, to me, can make a good cigar great/exceptional, but not a necessity for me to enjoy the experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sepp Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 » Complexity, to me, can make a good cigar great/exceptional, but not a necessity for me to enjoy the experience. I agree with this assesment. Construction/Draw, flavor and mouth feel provide most of my pleasure as my pallate is still learning to recognize and discriminate the complexity when it is present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiley Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 1) draw - this makes or breaks a cigar 2) burn - along with draw, poor burn qualities will ruin it for me 3) flavor - no specific flavor, just has to have one, and something enjoyable and/or interesting 4) lack of bitterness and ammonia 5) thin ring gauge - I occasionally venture up to a 48, but not often I don't even know what "balance" and "mouth feel" really mean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
android Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 #1 Hands down... Construction/draw - (Hello...it's called cigar smoking) LOL #2 Flavor/Taste #3 Burn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt45 Posted October 24, 2008 Author Share Posted October 24, 2008 » I don't even know what "balance" and "mouth feel" really mean. I hope I can articulate my thoughts on this - For me, balance is how the various elements that make up a cigar's profile interact. Does one element dominate, or are all elements integrated and in harmony. As an example, let's say a cigar has a core flavor of leather with a fruity / floral overlay. But it also has a very strong element of black pepper, throwing off the overall balance. I would describe mouth feel as the sensation of weight or density on the palate. When I think of depth, I think of a cigar cut cross-wise. Do I get the sense of weight from the core all the way out to the edges, or do I sense weight just from a single layer. I would say the former has good depth while the latter has little. Others may have better ways to explain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenpimp Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 1. Flavor! 2. Acceptable delivery of said flavor. A cigars appearance, general burn, etc. do not make or break a cigar for me. I have had exceptional cigars with poor burns, ugly wrappers, imperfect (but acceptable) draws. But I have had many cigars whose had everything in spades except flavor. Beautiful, drew well, lots of thick smoke coating the palate (mouth feel, for me anyway, can be a bonus, but only if its something that feels really good.) Performed perfectly but what flavor there was resembled ass. Construction is important, but nothing comes close to flavor's weight for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamuraiJack Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 1. Flavor. This may be a cop out but the way I see it: all other issues only matter in relation to flavor. A bad draw can force you to overheat the tobacco, killing the flavor. The amount of smoke you get affects the flavor. But I have had hard draws with thin smoke that were still very enjoyable smokes since it worked for the strong flavor coming through. After flavor, all flavors being equal, it goes: 2. Draw (I prefer open) 3. Burn (not having to touch up is nice, more relaxing) 4. Visual impact (sometimes a cigar, due to the wrapper and the construction, is almost too beautiful to light up. Almost.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patman24 Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 1. Flavor. I prefer full body, and complex. 2. Draw. Just the right amount of drag. 3. Burn. It is very enjoyable to have a cigar and not have to worry about relighting. In addition, I don't it when the burn gets hot. 4. Appearance. I like to admire the leaf, oils, and feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolivr Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 For me: Must haves Draw Burn Complex aroma That Cuban creaminess; no bitterness or any flavour that the mind connects with chemicals Nice to haves Smooth sexy wrapper Good looking band Girl in bikini to hold the cutter and lighter:-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiley Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 » » I don't even know what "balance" and "mouth feel" really mean. » » I hope I can articulate my thoughts on this - » » For me, balance is how the various elements that make up a cigar's profile » interact. Does one » element dominate, or are all elements integrated and in harmony. » As an example, let's say a cigar has a core flavor of leather with a » fruity / floral overlay. But » it also has a very strong element of black pepper, throwing off the » overall balance. » » I would describe mouth feel as the sensation of weight or density on the » palate. When I think of » depth, I think of a cigar cut cross-wise. Do I get the sense of weight » from the core all the way out » to the edges, or do I sense weight just from a single layer. » I would say the former has good depth while the latter has little. » » Others may have better ways to explain. Makes sense. Thanks Colt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonesyjay Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 As for me, 1) I don't know how many good smokes were ruined by a bad draw...............I could taste the smoke.....but the the inadequate draw ruined it......or I hade to puff until I turned blue to get a good mouthful..:-( 2) A good burn is also necessary.. I have also had a few that required eternal torching and fixups... 3) Obviously, flavor is always necessary. Cheers, Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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