Cigar flavor descriptions vs. flavored cigars

[tktktk]

I was doing some searching through threads and couldn't find the specific answer to my amateur question.
First, I understand what true "flavored cigars" are, and that they are infused somehow with flavor (i.e., cherry cigars, chocolate cigars, kahlua cigars etc.)

What I have wondered is, other than Acid brand, when I read reviews where people are describing regular non-flavored cigars with words like spicy, nutty undertones, hints of coffee etc. - is there anything that is being used in the curing/aging process of cigars to bring out these complex subtle flavors, or is it merely descriptive comparisons to flavors or scents? Are all the differences in cigars and tobaccos really is just in the leaf and the aging process or do manufacturers ever store the tobacco with other things to enhance flavor?

Does this get me the newbie "duh" question ribbon?

thanks!

[Blaylock]

Here's an interesting read on this topic...look for joed's comments.

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...hlight=flavors

I'm assuming you have access to this thread...if not...never mind.

[Major Captain Silly]

No "newbie duh" question for you. There are many "subtle" flavors that can come out in a good cigar. Now these flavors don't come out for everybody and when you're new, they tend to get lost in the smoke. My first few years of smoking didn't yield many instances of "hints of leather" or "nutty undertones". I just liked the cigar or didn't like the cigar. The most important things I learned was to smoke as slow as possible and keep my smokes at around 65% humidity. This gives you optimum chance of catching those subtle flavors. My first recollection of catching a flavor of something was with a now defunct brand named Carlin. It tasted just like chocolate cake to me! The short story here is that good cigars have flavor and that flavor can be associated with other non-cigar tastes you have experienced. The cigar itself isn't infused or flavored and the flavors aren't overt at all. I wouldn't worry too much about catching your cigar's subtle nuances at this point. Just find some that you like and relax and enjoy them. It also helps to start a cigar journal and even post a few reviews here!

MCS

[uncballzer]

It's basically a way of relating the taste of the cigar to something familiar so that we can tell each other about it.

Some ppl read too much into trying to figure out a flavor (i find myself at fault for doing that sometimes) than just enjoying the damn thing and letting it be.

[sean373]

as another noob i know reading about these flavors seems weird, but i can understand the coffee, woody, chocolaty, peppery kind of tastes. its not that the smoke itself tastes like coffee or wood. its more that the aftertaste left in your mouth is similar to those items. like if you had a cup of coffee, and 20 minutes later you still have that faint lingering taste. thats the flavor i can relate to in cigars.

[tktktk]

Originally Posted by Blake Lockhart

Here's an interesting read on this topic...look for joed's comments.

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...hlight=flavors

I'm assuming you have access to this thread...if not...never mind.

Thanks, but it does seem permissions are required which I don't have

[tktktk]

Originally Posted by Major Captain Silly

No "newbie duh" question for you. There are many "subtle" flavors that can come out in a good cigar. Now these flavors don't come out for everybody and when you're new, they tend to get lost in the smoke. My first few years of smoking didn't yield many instances of "hints of leather" or "nutty undertones". I just liked the cigar or didn't like the cigar. The most important things I learned was to smoke as slow as possible and keep my smokes at around 65% humidity. This gives you optimum chance of catching those subtle flavors. My first recollection of catching a flavor of something was with a now defunct brand named Carlin. It tasted just like chocolate cake to me! The short story here is that good cigars have flavor and that flavor can be associated with other non-cigar tastes you have experienced. The cigar itself isn't infused or flavored and the flavors aren't overt at all. I wouldn't worry too much about catching your cigar's subtle nuances at this point. Just find some that you like and relax and enjoy them. It also helps to start a cigar journal and even post a few reviews here!

MCS

Major, thanks for the answer. I didn't think there was a room full of tobacco hanging with open jars of coffee underneath, but ya never know and I had to satisfy my curiosity! It just really got me thinking because now that I've been smoking for a while and trying more and more cigars (and spending more on each) how is it that these cigars have such a variety of "flavor" to them without being flavored.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by tktktk

how is it that these cigars have such a variety of "flavor" to them without being flavored.

That is the natural flavors of the tobacco, itself.