Not everyone does, but I know quite a few cigar lovers, myself included, who will smoke several cigars in a lineup. For those just starting out, and those that only smoke one or two a week, maybe even that much in a month, it seems crazy to smoke multiple in one outing.
How do you get all the flavors? Aren’t you blowing out your palate? What’s the deal? Well, first, addressing the palate concerns, you build up a tolerance, especially if you retrohale, which I always recommend doing, anyway. You can reset your palate using various methods, like eating some salty crackers or coconut, or having seltzer water or club soda. I don’t usually do that unless I’ve had a crazy strong cigar somewhere in there, but it can definitely help reset your flavor picker.
But also, there’s a relatively straightforward way to set up your multiple cigar session(s).
As you likely know by now, so much of what constitutes as a “rule” or advice in the cigar world is really up to a matter of preference. Meaning, whatever I recommend here, ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to follow that guidance or not.
There’s no right or wrong answer, at least in this case. However, I recommend aligning the cigars from mildest to strongest. You start with a weaker cigar, both in terms of nicotine strength and flavor profile. Then, you work your way up from there to end the day or evening on a much stronger blend — a high note.
It also depends on how much time you have between smokes. If you’re smoking them one-after-another then, yes, you want to arrange them weak to strong — mild to full. But if you’re smoking one, then waiting a few hours in between, it doesn’t matter as much. For example, if you have one in the morning with your coffee, then another in the evening after dinner, the gap between the two times is enough that your palate won’t be affected. Especially if you’re eating in between somewhere. For those two separate sessions, smoke whatever the hell you want, in whatever order you want.
What happens if you smoke in the opposite direction?
If you do the opposite and smoke stronger cigars early and then go to weaker cigars later in the day or evening, it may or may not make it more difficult to pick out the flavors. But it actually depends on your palate and your experiences. I do know some people who smoke in that direction, strong to weak, or full to mild.
Yes, I have tried it, and now and then I’ll swap things up, but I prefer the first recommendation. In my experience, it’s better and easier to appreciate the varying flavors as you elevate the profile with each new cigar.
As I’m saying this, do note that — and this is always the right answer — it all comes down to what you’d rather do. If you try it one way or the other, and find you prefer a particular method over another, great. That can make this guide seem like I’m providing a non-answer, or just gnashing my teeth. Why would I recommend doing it one way when you can do it whichever way you want? Well, because, as long as I’ve been smoking, that’s worked for me, and not just me, I’ve found it works for many others, too.
The wrapper or blend doesn’t matter as long as you’re following the weak/mild to strong/full pattern. Going from a Maduro or Corojo to a Habano, or vice versa, is more about the strength and flavor profile than anything else. Whichever one tends to be stronger, with bolder, spicier flavors, save that for last. And no, contrary to popular belief, a maduro wrapper doesn’t automatically mean a cigar is stronger.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
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Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
Source: Briley Kenney / The BS Lounge
