Thickness Counts

 I recently went through a few cigar samplers and they had relatively thin to El Gordo.
And I've decided that I enjoy fatter sticks.
Not the, 'you need a fist to hold it' thick but generally thicker is better, to me.

They are wrapped more tightly for the most part. They burn more slowly and the wafting smoke is the taste rather than overpowering after an exhale.

Yes, subjective to be sure.

What's called 'full body cast' at Boneshaker. The exhale is full of flavor, no burn. And a funny aside - I use the draw enhancer to savor every last drop from these cigars.

Length is not a factor...yet. A nub or a Churchill works for me.I'm not the type to calculate how much smoke time I have. It's all a calculus of flavor. Which particular flavor works at the moment.

I've also taken to V cuts at the cap. It tends to leave more cigar and allows the smoke through a more narrow opening. Taste over smoke volume.

If you feel otherwise I would very much like to hear it.

Boneshaker Boneyard

Five pack,  torpedo form and dark.  6 x 5.2
In beer speak, these are chewy. 

Forget the flavor adjectives, these taste like tobacco. Thick and woody. They linger hard and long, so watch out if anyone in your circle doesn't enjoy the smell. They are strong.

They make for large intact ash. If the wrap, its tightness, impress then you'll like this a lot.

Very inexpensive, $11 for five. With shipping, $4.25 a piece. 'Cheap' fits. Worth every penny.
Eminently a nice smoke that'll impress no one but the smoker or a real tobacco enthusiast.

Lets face it, there is a ton of attached snobbery with cigars nowadays. If you don't smoke a pedigree or use a bic lighter you'll be dismissed.
I like what I like and care very little for backslapping elevation of the practice. Or habit. I'm reminded of the old saw,"I've been smoking three a day for forty years and I'm not addicted yet."

I really enjoyed these and will be buying them again.

Oliva Blends 3

 

Oliva is known for one off runs. Basing production on a varying number of leaves means new cigars each year. It's normal for the production runs to be small and therefore very hard to find. Improved growing techniques have made for large enough runs that they are available for us to enjoy.

Dark Robustos, light Churchills, and more. Made with broadleaf USA wrappers all with unique taste and a well done uniform construction.

I recently picked up an Oliva sampler. Five smokes of different sizes and tastes. $18 + shipping.
Allow me to start with a dark Robusto 5.0" x 50.

They are tightly rolled to maintain an even burning experience. 

They look inviting. The aroma unlit is dark and woody. Surprisingly mild too.
Once lit they are creamy, full taste with an nice draw. As the smell fills the room it expands and is easily noticeable. 

Rather than my wifes normal reaction, she almost enjoyed this. There is a small almost menthol bite to it. It isn't overwhelmingly thick or harsh. A fragrant layer of outer the wrapper combined with the fine Nicaraguan blend of Habano seed, ligero tobacco makes for a fine smoke.

Like everything else these days, the price for a cigar has risen substantially. To pick up a good cigar for around $12 seems a bargain. 

I'm guessing that I'll enjoy the rest of the sampler. I'll let you know, more to follow.

Years ago, lighters began to evolve. Hi-tech took hold. They became windproof, more efficient and very expensive.
Fast forward to today and the knockoff market has exploded and actually produce nice hardware for one fifth of the pricey originals.
They no longer copy looks to deceive customers (Well, somestill do), in fact they trying to innovate. And I say trying because the current vogue is to cram as many cigar related tools as possible.

Look at this third of a pound monster, 136 grams. It's a virtual swiss army knife for cigars. A circular punch, 'draw enhancer' - a rod to drive a tunnel and a cutter. A fuel window, flip top cover that acts as a holder when closed. Oh yeah, a windproof twin jet lighter, that's light on the use of butane.

$24.50? There's a voice saying, "it'll break or something," Again I'll let you know.