Expert: James Yee - 8/5/2008

Question
Hi
2 years ago I took up cigar smoking, I found most of the smokes I was having (mostly petite coronas) were too harsh for me most of the time(even things from honduras or dominican republic). So I set off to age them... (a few were good, like siglo 1's etc, but from even from same batch, it was hit and miss)

Now 2 years later, i'm at it again, and even though i'm enjoying them a little better, they generally are still a little unpleasant...

I'm not smoking too fast, once a minute, and have it at 66% humidity (70% is a little to wet for me and keeps going out).

I used to draw hard and long, now it's smaller and shorter and I get alot better flavours from it... but still get some harshness... If I sip to not get harshness, then I get very little smoke and the cigar is bound to tunnel or die on me very soon, if I smoke to keep it lit, then it gets harsh...

(I usually have my cigars with water)
What am I doing wrong please?
Is my palette too sensative to smoke?
Will it improve with time?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Claudio,

It doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong.  Everything that you're doing is correct so it may just be that you have a sensitive palate for cigars.  The good news is that cigars is an acquired taste and you will be used to the strength and flavour the more you smoke.  This is actually not uncommon and many smokers - including experienced smokers - will find that the more they smoke, the more they are used to the strong taste.  However, if they stop smoking for a long period of time, their neutral/sensitive palates will return.

Try drinking a sweet, cold beverage such a cola, 7up, iced tea, etc. with your cigars instead of water because the beverage will keep their mouths cool and refreshed and the sugar will soften much of the harsh tobacco taste.  Water is perfectly fine but many smokers find that sweet beverages are more effective at neutralizing the harsh nicotine taste.

Aside from this, your humidor conditions is reasonable and your smoking pace and technique is correct so don't worry, you're doing anything correctly.

Hope this answers your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James