Size vs Taste

[gboyet93]

Do you believe the size of a cigar delegates the taste? I seem to enjoy a Churchill (7.0" x 50) better than a Robusto (5.0" x 50) of the same cigar. In theory, would not better longer tobacco be used to craft a Churchill cigar, than would shorter leaves to craft a Robusto sized cigar?

[Snake Hips]

Most people have a size preference for a cigar they smoke a lot. But I don't think the length of the cigar dictates at all the leaves used in it. Tobacco leaves are all generally similar in size. They differ in size depending on where they are on the plant, and those are classified differently from each other (ligero, seco, medio tempo, et al).

The only time I can say I prefer a different size right now is with Habanos, because different sizes are all different blends.

[Noxus]

Take it for what it's worth but my wife says size is everythink.

[gary106334]

Originally Posted by Noxus

Take it for what it's worth but my wife says size is everythink.

[hurricane6]

my personal experience-yes. I tend to lean towards the corona/lanceros, but have found myself smoking more robustos lately because I seem to pick up more nuances and undertones. MHO.

[Nurse_Maduro]

Originally Posted by Snake Hips

Most people have a size preference for a cigar they smoke a lot. But I don't think the length of the cigar dictates at all the leaves used in it. Tobacco leaves are all generally similar in size. They differ in size depending on where they are on the plant, and those are classified differently from each other (ligero, seco, medio tempo, et al).

The only time I can say I prefer a different size right now is with Habanos, because different sizes are all different blends.

But the longer the stick, the more they can play with fillers. In my own experience, I find that robustos or shorter cigars are typically one-note; that is, they're relatively the same from start to finish. Longer sticks, such as Churches or Double Coronas, will typically change characteristics at least once (or, if you're lucky, twice) during its burn. That's not to say the quality of one versus the other is better, just that the longer sticks allow for more flavor/aroma variety within a single smoke.

[Snake Hips]

Originally Posted by Nurse_Maduro

But the longer the stick, the more they can play with fillers. In my own experience, I find that robustos or shorter cigars are typically one-note; that is, they're relatively the same from start to finish. Longer sticks, such as Churches or Double Coronas, will typically change characteristics at least once (or, if you're lucky, twice) during its burn. That's not to say the quality of one versus the other is better, just that the longer sticks allow for more flavor/aroma variety within a single smoke.

That's true, I was just saying that the length doesn't really affect the leaves that they choose to go into it. But there is a lot more room for flavor changes in longer cigars. I do like me a churchill...

[chip]

Since the wrapper makes a significant contribution to the taste, and the smaller RG cigars have a higher wrapper/filler ratio, you will often find smaller RG cigars have a more intense flavor.
Complexity is a term often bandied about, but for someone like me who is not a "super taster" I find most cigars are not very complex.
I tend to smoke the smaller RG cigars, and since I have commitment issues I generally stay with corona/PC/lancero sizes.
Every blend seems to have a particular size that works best, often as not that is a corona size.
YMMV

[Legend]

Ok a twist on the standard question of does the vitola change the flavor, to does the vitola change the quality.

Simple answer is no. The leaves selected are similar and of equal quality. If you are smoking a quality cigar.

Now the preference of an individual to a certain vitola is mostly psychological. We make this decision prior to smoking. I'm guilty of it myself. If we take each smoke individually and honestly assess each vitola we will come to a decision on which vitola for each cigar we like, but we typically only grab the vitolas we prefer already.

I gravitate to large ring gauges. I like how it keeps the cigar cool. But that will not mean that each cigar the big ring gauges will be the best. I rarely grab a lancero but enjoyed the heck out of one gifted to me.

[Nurse_Maduro]

Originally Posted by Legend

Ok a twist on the standard question of does the vitola change the flavor, to does the vitola change the quality.

Simple answer is no. The leaves selected are similar and of equal quality. If you are smoking a quality cigar.

Absolutely.

[krisko]

I started off liking robustos but now very much prefer a corona or lancero. The only think I don't like about a lancero is the ash tends to drop a lot easier than a robusto.

[madurolover]

I have found that a significant number of cigar smokers as their palate evolves start leaning towards the smaller smokes such as coronas, petit coronas, lanceros, panatellas, etc.

[MrSoprano]

i like longer cigars but once i get down to about 3 inches left i put it out, i get sick of it...all my buddys make fun on me for putting it down

[gboyet93]

Originally Posted by MrSoprano

i like longer cigars but once i get down to about 3 inches left i put it out, i get sick of it...all my buddys make fun on me for putting it down

I am with you on this one. I like the longer cigars due to the fact that they smoke cooler, and I can put it down with 3 inches left and not feel that I have cut my smoke short.