Vitola Preference: a personal realization

[CubanLink-cl]

Yesterday after work I took a stroll and sparked up my very first Ashton VSG---the Belicoso No. 1.

It was recommended to me by Jose at the Davidoff on Madison Avenue upon my request for something that resembled the Davidoff Millennium Blend in terms of flavor profile.

It is a very handsome cigar, as many of you know--beautifully constructed with nice dark, sungrown wrapper.

My first impression upon lighting it up was: Wow, this is harsh and bitter tasting. I didn't mind it's pepperiness as much as I did the bitter taste. It seemed to get even more bitter up until a good inch (plus) of the cigar was gone. All of a sudden the finish became creamy, and a flavor (to me) of chocolate mocha completely took over the bitterness. It was heavenly. The draw was perfect and the smoke was voluminous.

My point here is that, considering it took a while for the flavors to get going, I wish the cigar were longer. I had the same experience with an Oliva Series G Robusto. I hated the way the first third of it tasted, but after that it was delicious.

So, I've decided to try to stick to 6 inches and longer from now on. Plus I like the look and feel of a longer cigar. Come on, how elegant does a nice lancero or a churchill look in your hand?

Just my 2 cents.

[g8trbone]

Very interesting point of view.

I am curious, just for my own sake, how quick after lighting did you start puffing away? I have heard, and try to myself, give it a little bit of time to rest after light so as to cool down and mellow out a little bit. Obviously, we don't want the cigar to extinguish itself but some time to not be quite as hot.

[CubanLink-cl]

I've considered the possiblity that my toasting/lighting practices are somehow amiss. I do have a tendency to toast a bit too aggresively I've noticed, but I lit the VSG on the street with matches without any toasting. Maybe that was the problem. I'll certainly keep your point in mind going forward. Thanks!

Originally Posted by g8trbone

Very interesting point of view.

I am curious, just for my own sake, how quick after lighting did you start puffing away? I have heard, and try to myself, give it a little bit of time to rest after light so as to cool down and mellow out a little bit. Obviously, we don't want the cigar to extinguish itself but some time to not be quite as hot.

[Starsky]

It is also recommended to blow through the cigar after the initial lighting. Maybe that would help. Also, I've noticed that quite a few cigars need at least 1/2" to burn before the taste settles in.

[Marlboro Cigars-cl]

I started off liking Churchills,
but enjoy Rothschilds and petite coronas more now
with the occasional figurado.

Don't think I could pick a single size though,
It depends on my mood or how much time I have.

[Lok17]

I too vary sooo much on what size I feel like having atm, but IF I HAD to pick just one.... I spose I would go with a nice toro. 6x50ish is just right

[tx_tuff]

Originally Posted by Starsky

It is also recommended to blow through the cigar after the initial lighting. Maybe that would help. Also, I've noticed that quite a few cigars need at least 1/2" to burn before the taste settles in.

I blow through the cigar pretty much after/before every draw. Gets the old smoke of the cigar, so I was told. Don't know if it really works but it is just habit now. I hardly ever put the cigar down so it gives me something to do with it.