Cigar Science with Rob XIII: Blowing smoke out the nose

[adamsdb]

So I tried this tonight and it is much easier said than done. I will have to keep practicing in order to master it. The best I could do was make my eyes water a few times.

Practice makes Perfect!

[happy1]

thaks for the article

[bobbyg29-cl]

Originally Posted by JohnRider

I am a big fan of "retronasal olfaction" or what is sometimes called "Rolling". It really adds to the enjoyment of fine cigars.

Thanks John! I totally agree. This is going to sound a little hokey but I find that the process of slowly releasing and rolling the smoke almost induces a meditative state in me and I love it!

[Dogwatch Dale-cl]

Originally Posted by JohnRider

I am a big fan of "retronasal olfaction" or what is sometimes called "Rolling". It really adds to the enjoyment of fine cigars. Thanks, Rob, for your top-notch investigation of the science behind this, and I am going to go check out your guest appearance on Doc Stogie Fresh right now!

So right John - I probably wouldn't smoke nearly as much without "retro-haling" (love that term, never heard it before!). It would be a lot like eating a great meal while you have a cold. You go through the motions but the food just doesn't taste the same. For me, fully 1/3 or so of the flavors either are picked up, or significantly enhanced through the nasel passages.

Great stuff Rob!

[Streackerman]

Fantastic article! I read it last week but got a chance to try it out today. I have smoked the Chataeu Fuente for years and enjoyed ever minute. After this afternoon's smoke, I tasted a new cigar.

Thank you for the information! I don't plan on wasting anymore cigars. I will always try to get the full flavor. This is just another example why I love this site!

[Dickson-cl]

Originally Posted by bobbyg29

I am not sure what effect blowing smoke out your nose would have on your allergies. I know that with stronger cigars it can be irritating to your nasal cavity even without allergies. So I think I would recommend that if you are going to try it just do it once or twice during the cigar and make sure you do it with a mild cigar the first time.

Personally....I like the burn. Tells me I'm smoking a great cigar.:eeek:

[PremiumsOnly]

I tried this the other night with mixed results. It took a couple of tries to get it down, but once it was mastered, it came easy. I definitely got a different flavor, but I wouldn't call it an enjoyable one. I should mention that I didn't enjoy the cigar I tried it with! Spongy cigar with all sorts of burn and draw issues. One the soon-to-be-wife got me, so the sentiment was great, even if the cigar she got wasn't.

The next try will be with a proper cigar, maybe a PAM... That should be a flavor roller coaster! We'll see if I get off the coaster jazzed up or sick to my stomach.

[bikeguy1]

Have been practicing this since I read the article last week. Most enjoyable results were with a RyJ Short Churchill, Graycliff Black Label PG robusto, CAO Criollo, and Oliva Master Blends III. Most painful result was with a LFD El Jocko smoked a short while ago...I think my eyes are still tearing-up, and my nostrils feel like a load of white pepper was blown into them at high velocity!!

[GatorMike]

Originally Posted by bikeguy1

Have been practicing this since I read the article last week. Most enjoyable results were with a RyJ Short Churchill, Graycliff Black Label PG robusto, CAO Criollo, and Oliva Master Blends III. Most painful result was with a LFD El Jocko smoked a short while ago...I think my eyes are still tearing-up, and my nostrils feel like a load of white pepper was blown into them at high velocity!!

I know the feeling. I tried with a LFD dbl ligero...

[Doc Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by bikeguy1

Most painful result was with a LFD El Jocko smoked a short while ago...I think my eyes are still tearing-up, and my nostrils feel like a load of white pepper was blown into them at high velocity!!

I laughed so hard when I read your comment that I spit all over my keyboard! :angry:

It's so true, though. I already know that when I smoke a cigar that is a heavy hitter, I have to psych myself up before I retrohale. Though I hate to admit it, retrohaling a full-bodied, full-flavored cigar is like having the dentist drilling on your tooth and waiting for the inevitable zinger of pain.

[Doc Stogie Fresh]

Originally Posted by PremiumsOnly

I should mention that I didn't enjoy the cigar I tried it with! Spongy cigar with all sorts of burn and draw issues. One the soon-to-be-wife got me, so the sentiment was great, even if the cigar she got wasn't.

First of all, you better have your fiance start reading the posts here at CigarLive so she can make some better purchases for you...

Second, retrohaling is like riding a bike, it takes a while to learn, but when you get it, you never forget it.

[keith-cl]

First time I heard of it was during Docs podcast of the M7 were he recommended that it was a strong cigar to try rolling for you first time. Forgot about it, then read the article tonight. Looking forward to trying it. Is it common for someone that uses this technique to exhale every time through the nose?

[Will_S-cl]

I have always done this with pipe tobacco and really enjoyed the flavors. I didn't know you could do it safely with cigars an older fellow at the local b&m told me that you shouldnt do that with cigars because the smoke was too strong. I'm gonna try it, I miss the extra flavor and nicotene you get that way and I'm used to doing it with pipes.

[cigardocdoc]

Hmm, I'm going to count reading this article as studying for my neuroanatomy class. Interesting read!

[Jimmy Ray]

Interesting article, I am going to give it a try.