Body vs Flavor?

[Nickerson]

Hey fellas,

I been wondering this recently. I just sort of asumed body was the level of flavor in a cigar. Like a full bodied cigar has a full, robust, strong flavor to it. And that mild cigars had very mellow flavors.

When reading a review in a catalog for Rocky Patel Connecticut I cam across this, "I've smoked hundreds of these and will boldly state that those who crave their cigars mild in body yet long on flavor will go bonkers over RP Connecticut."

Just one example of a how a cigar is considered mild to medium yet has more full flavor.

Can anyone help clarify the difference between body and flavor, and what exactly body means? Would be a big help to myself and anyone else who may be wondering.

[Cigary]

This might help with what you are asking. At the end of the day it is subjective as to what you are looking for in a cigar but I think some points are well taken in this article:

Cigarspeak - The Cigar Diary

[Phantom57]

Body is more about mouth feel, ie a heavy full feeling in the mouth. Strength and flavor are different. Some mild cigars can be very flavorful.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by Phantom57

Body is more about mouth feel, ie a heavy full feeling in the mouth. Strength and flavor are different. Some mild cigars can be very flavorful.

Well said. I am often put off by reviews, which clearly confuse body and strength. For me, body has to do with the depth and definition of the flavor. If the flavors are full and distinct, that's described as being fuller of body. Strength is about the power of the flavors.

Case in point, the venerable Opus X. Not at all full strength, but definitely full-bodied. Similarly, the Ashton VSG. I don't know anyone who finds them to be strong, but yet no one finds them lacking body.

It can also go the other way. There are those sticks out there, which are strong, for strong sake, yet lack body. To me, these are sticks, which benefit from aging.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

Well said. I am often put off by reviews, which clearly confuse body and strength. For me, body has to do with the depth and definition of the flavor. If the flavors are full and distinct, that's described as being fuller of body. Strength is about the power of the flavors.

Case in point, the venerable Opus X. Not at all full strength, but definitely full-bodied. Similarly, the Ashton VSG. I don't know anyone who finds them to be strong, but yet no one finds them lacking body.

It can also go the other way. There are those sticks out there, which are strong, for strong sake, yet lack body. To me, these are sticks, which benefit from aging.

[Herf N Turf]

Here's an example of preceisely what I'm talking about! Copy/pasted from bestcigarprices.com. IDIOTS!

Strength: Full Bodied
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Various
Shape: Straight

And, when did "straight" become a "shape"???

[Rubix^3]

Originally Posted by Cigary

This might help with what you are asking. At the end of the day it is subjective as to what you are looking for in a cigar but I think some points are well taken in this article:

Cigarspeak - The Cigar Diary

Great link Gary. I agree with these definitions. Thanks for sharing.

[biged843]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

Case in point, the venerable Opus X. Not at all full strength, but definitely full-bodied. Similarly, the Ashton VSG. I don't know anyone who finds them to be strong, but yet no one finds them lacking body.

I have to disagree with you about the VSG. I'd have to say, it's full-body, full-flavor, and full-strenght. I've seen it light up 4 of different people, not including myself. The VSG is a very fine cigar that I really enjoy, but it's not for everybody.

[Nickerson]

Originally Posted by Cigary

This might help with what you are asking. At the end of the day it is subjective as to what you are looking for in a cigar but I think some points are well taken in this article:

Cigarspeak - The Cigar Diary

Very good article

"that the aroma of a cigar contributes to its taste in a substantive way. How substantive? To see just how much... go in your backyard when no one's home some afternoon, and put a clothes pin on your old schnoz... then, go ahead and smoke one of your favorite cigars for about 10-15 minutes. Yes... aroma does make a huge difference. Even if you don't inhale or French inhale, the aroma of a cigar somehow gets into your nose and works its magic on your taste buds."

I'd also like to add, that your nose and smell makes up about 85% of your taste. Your tongue makes up the other 15%. Odd isn't it? That's why when you have a cold, you cannot taste your food, since your nose is all stuffed up. Nothing is actually wrong with your tongue.

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by Nickerson

go in your backyard when no one's home some afternoon, and put a clothes pin on your old schnoz... then, go ahead and smoke one of your favorite cigars for about 10-15 minutes.

I think this is quoted from the Marquis de Sade's "Journées de Sodome".

OUCH!