Dizziness and nausea last night

[PJD]

Hi all,

I broke from my usual lineup of Excalibur 1066 Dark Knights, Cohiba Red-Dots, RyJ Vintage and El Rey del Mundos and tried an Ashton VSG after dinner last night. It tasted good and I got it down to about 3/4". I then tried standing up. The emphasis being tried. For the rest of the evening I was ill and dizzy, and my wife said I looked "grey."

Anything specific to what I smoked that would have done this to me? I didn't smoke it too fast (about one puff a minute, or at worst, one every 45 seconds), and the 6" x 44 cigar took about 90 minutes to smoke.

Do you think I may have gotten a bad stick? If that kind of thing is usual for the Ashton VSG? If so, are there any others I should likewise try and avoid? Ain't no way what I did last night was healthy!

[madurolover]

It's called NICOTINE!

If you start feeling the effects of nicotine you can eat something with sugar in it or just a plain spoonful of sugar. Sugar counters the effects of nicotine.

[PJD]

Originally Posted by madurolover

It's called NICOTINE!

If you start feeling the effects of nicotine you can eat something with sugar in it or just a plain spoonful of sugar. Sugar counters the effects of nicotine.

Considering I'm a type-2 diabetic, can you think of an alternative (other than not smoking) that may work to counteract the effects?

How can one determine the nicotine strength of one brand of cigar over another? What I'm looking for is lots of taste and a fragrant aroma, but definitely NOT the nicotine power of what I had last night. Call me a wuss, even though I prefer heavily-peated Adrbeg and Lagavulin whiskies

[Classico]

It doesn't even have to be something sweet, just eat something afterwards. Usually I'll have a slice of pizza or apple pie. Hope this helps. GO LEAFS GO!

[Cigary]

I have type 2 diabetes as well and know what you are talking about. If I didnt have such a history of smoking cigars and being able to tolerate huge doses of nicotine I don't know what I would do to try and counteract it. Just chalk it up to learning what different cigars will do to you until you get your system used to it. I could probably smoke a flare with no apparent side effects.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by PJD

Considering I'm a type-2 diabetic, can you think of an alternative (other than not smoking) that may work to counteract the effects?

The only other thing I know of is to make sure you eat before smoking.

Originally Posted by PJD

How can one determine the nicotine strength of one brand of cigar over another? What I'm looking for is lots of taste and a fragrant aroma, but definitely NOT the nicotine power of what I had last night. Call me a wuss, even though I prefer heavily-peated Adrbeg and Lagavulin whiskies

You will probably want to stick with milder cigars for a while. Over time you will build up a tolerance to the nicotine and be able to smoke stronger cigars.

When you visit your shop the tobaccoonist there should be able to help you find some mild, but full flavored cigars. If you shop online then you can just read reviews. Most of the time the reviews or comments will state whether the cigar is strong or not.

Also do not confuse "strong" with "full bodied" as these are two different things.

[Cyber]

Sounds like you were stoned on nicotine.

I get this when I smoke a really good cigar, dont remember ever getting it when I smoked normal cigarette's.

A good feeling of being relaxed and light headed. I sometimes get a little queezy but I drink a coke with my cigar so that tends to keep the queezieness down.

I have some LFD that do that to me, I save them for special occasions

Enjoy

[PJD]

Originally Posted by madurolover

The only other thing I know of is to make sure you eat before smoking.

Also do not confuse "strong" with "full bodied" as these are two different things.

I'd just finished a good-sized dinner about 20 minutes before I lit up, but if it ever happens again, I'll be sure to snarf something down.

What, then, is the difference between strength versus body? Is it possible for a cigar to have complexity of taste and a strong pleasant aroma yet not contain massive quantities of nicotine? I really don't like being knocked on my rear by something that's supposed to be pleasurable!

If I could compare it to scotch, I suppose I'd love something complex with a long finish but that's not necessarily a cask-strength powerhouse. Like an 18 YO Macallan at ~40% ABV versus Ardbeg Uigeadail at 54.2% ABV. Both are exceptional and complex whiskies, but the latter will definitely let you know, and in no uncertain terms, if you've been overserved!

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by PJD

I'd just finished a good-sized dinner about 20 minutes before I lit up, but if it ever happens again, I'll be sure to snarf something down.

What, then, is the difference between strength versus body? Is it possible for a cigar to have complexity of taste and a strong pleasant aroma yet not contain massive quantities of nicotine? I really don't like being knocked on my rear by something that's supposed to be pleasurable!

If I could compare it to scotch, I suppose I'd love something complex with a long finish but that's not necessarily a cask-strength powerhouse. Like an 18 YO Macallan at ~40% ABV versus Ardbeg Uigeadail at 54.2% ABV. Both are exceptional and complex whiskies, but the latter will definitely let you know, and in no uncertain terms, if you've been overserved!

When I describe a cigar as "full bodied" I am talking about the volume of flavors I get from it. A full bodied cigar will almost always have a long finish and the smoke will leave you feeling very satisfied. It is almost like the satisfied feeling you get after eating a large, satisfying meal.

One example of this is the Cabaiguan. It is a very satisfying cigar and I would place it in the Med/Full bodied category while at the same time being a medium strength at best.

[PJD]

Originally Posted by madurolover

When I describe a cigar as "full bodied" I am talking about the volume of flavors I get from it. A full bodied cigar will almost always have a long finish and the smoke will leave you feeling very satisfied. It is almost like the satisfied feeling you get after eating a large, satisfying meal.

One example of this is the Cabaiguan. It is a very satisfying cigar and I would place it in the Med/Full bodied category while at the same time being a medium strength at best.

I'll check it out on my next trip to JR!

I bought an Opus X there a few months back and had planned on saving it for a special event. Ditto for a couple of Fuente "Don Carlos" churchills, too. I've seen a few reviews saying that anything from the Fuente line is best enjoyed by experienced smokers and not n00bs. Am I correct in guessing all of these are likely to knock me on my @$$ as well? I'm guessing I should probably let them mature over the winter before having a go?

[UPGRAYEDD]

After reading your list of regulars compared to the Ashton Cabinet, in my opinion, you just left the shallow end of the pool and went into the deep end. You got a decent dose of nicotine. You might need to work up in smaller steps if you're not really used to it.

[zeavran1]

Been there before. That's a baaaaaad feeling.

[PJD]

Originally Posted by UPGRAYEDD

After reading your list of regulars compared to the Ashton Cabinet, in my opinion, you just left the shallow end of the pool and went into the deep end. You got a decent dose of nicotine. You might need to work up in smaller steps if you're not really used to it.

I suspect you're right .

Could I ask for recommendations? I still intend to keep the Dark Knights as my smokes of choice for now, but I'd like to try a few different sticks that would fit with the "smaller steps" idea. I really don't want to jump into the deep end again any time soon, to be honest.

[SuperDave]

PJD, if it makes you feel any better, I have been smoking cigars for about 2 years at the rate of one every other day. I get that same sickness about once a month, usually when I smoke on an empty stomach. I have learned to tell when it's coming on and quit the cigar, even if I have only smoked 1/3 to 1/2. Most oftem happens when I try to nub. The body is telling you the nicotine is poison. But is oh so good, up until it knocks you down.

[UPGRAYEDD]

I typically smoke very full bodied cigars. Mostly blends from DPG. Many of your Corojo are full bodied, so take note.
There are several medium bodied smokes you can move up to. Oliva makes some beautiful Connecticut and Maduros. Partagas is a nice line. They're black is medium and inexpensive. The Torano line is good and seems to hover in the mild-medium range.
CI has a body hint on their price lists. Most retailers will spell out the body in their descriptions so its easy to find some middle ground.