Odd cigar experience

[Memitim]

I'm a complete cigar newb so I'm hoping that this makes sense. I had a Perdomo Lot 23 a couple days back and while I enjoyed it, it seemed like it was passing burning ash through it, except that it wasn't. What I mean is that after a few puffs I started getting a bit of a burning sensation in the back of my throat, almost like it was slowing building up as I swallowed following each exhale, I didn't have a beverage on me at first, so it kept building up to the point of being slightly unpleasant, although the cigar was otherwise still pretty good.

Another clue is that when I exhaled smoke through my nose, (dunno if that's a bad idea, but I like to to catch some of the aromas hiding in the smoke) it was like a fired off a blast furnace in my sinuses. I probably had to take ten deep breaths or so for the burning sensation to pass.

I know I said that it seemed like it was passing burning ash, but I know that it wasn't as there were absolutely no solids being pulled through. The sensation in my throat mostly went away after I did take a drink, but it slowly came back after a while, notably increasing a bit each time I would swallow without taking a drink first.

So is this normal and something that I should expect when having a Perdomo Lot 23? I liked it enough that I'll probably try another sometime once I tear through a few more samplers, but I may bump that up if that experience was not anything that I should have gotten while enjoying one.

[eyesack]

Hey Shawn! Welcome to the boards from a fellow newb! I just enjoyed one of these little delights myself. I also noticed that the burning sensation in the back of my throat was more prominent than other smokes I've tried. I actually kind of enjoyed its spiciness. As for being an odd experience, I've had this before, but it doesn't bother me; kinda just comes with the territory I think.

What flavors were you catching? I thought that the first inch or so surprised me with a lemon-balminess. After that, it built up a creamy, buttery flavor which half-way through turned into a melted butter and lemon taste. Very enjoyable IMO. The last third to the nub pushed the lemon flavor towards the background and yielded to a little spicy-earthiness. I really enjoyed this smoke!

Isaac

[tx_tuff]

Welcome to cigar smoking! Yeah that is what a lot of us call pepper or spice. If you think you got a lot of burning with that cigar wait until you try some other full body or strong cigars, like Don Pepin cigars. Exhaling through your nose (retro haling) is a good way to pick up some flavors of a cigar. If it is a peppery or spicy cigar don't retro hale the whole puff but just a little of it. Enjoy!

[Cigary]

What Frank says is right on the money. Just a short retro hale will give you what you need as far as getting the "olfactory" sense of the tobacco. That taste in the back of your throat is the exess nicotine you are taking in esp. with a full bodied cigar. Washing that down with a beverage help clear it out. I try and keep the excess smoke from the throat area for that reason alone,,,,as tend to block that area with the back of my tongue when I take a big draw. Welcome to the place, BTW.

[Dewolt]

Perdono Lot 23 does have a little kick to it. What kind of cutter are you using? The first time I smoked one I used a hole punch. After that, I used a double guillotine, which seemed to take off a bit of the edge.

All in all, that seems about right for a Lot 23. It can be a little tough to get used to.

[Memitim]

Glad to hear these replies. I was hoping that it was a normal aspect to the Lot 23 as it was different from other cigars I've had so far, and not in a bad way once I knew what to expect. I had seen reference to "spice" in many reviews and forum posts but I am also a bit of a kitchen nut so I think of more of a flavor component than a heat one when I think of spice. I liked it enough that I will get some more in the future, although I will make it a point to have a beverage on hand next time I have one.

tx_tuff: Thanks for the clarification on retro haling (good name for it, BTW).

Dewolt: I use a double guillotine, although I do plan to get a variety of cutters eventually. I just like the guillotine cut best.

[tx_tuff]

Spice can also mean what you was thinking, I have a bad habit as using it to mean spicy as in hot. But a lot of people also use pepper, and some when even pull out the black pepper or white pepper. We are all different LOL

[Herf N Turf]

I think what youre describing here is actually nicotine. Rapid nicotine absorbtion is characterized by a tingling, tickling, scratchy, or mildly burning sensation in the back of the throat. You can also get this sensation in the nasal passages if large volumes of nicotine-heavy smoke are passed. If you have access to nicorette chewing gum, try a piece. During the first swallow, or two, this is what you'll sense.

Try to avoid frequent large nasal "retro-hales" as this will actually deaden the olfactory sense and dull the taste of the cigar.