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Cigars/Bitter taste??

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Expert: - 10/4/2009


Question
Hi James,

Nice day to smoke an Ashton VSG Spellbound!

Straight cut, started off fantastic! As i neared the last 3rd, i noticed a bitter taste from this smoke. Very noticible bitterness.
I then cut off a little more off the end and voila, the bitterness is gone!
What could have cause this cigar to go from great to terribly bitter? Could it be the spanish cedar in my humidor that I bulit myself or tars accumulating at the opening?

Your expert opinion is the only one I trust. Eagerly awaiting your reply!


Answer
Hi Thomas,

The bitter taste is actually from the tar-like residue that naturally builds up at the head of the cigar as you smoke.  This residue is a combination of your saliva mixing with the tobacco and this creates a bitter taste in your mouth.  This occurs in all types of cigars but with non-Cuban cigars, this residue is generally more bitter and vegetal in flavour than Cuban cigars which is why it's more noticeable.

Hopes this helps and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Regards,
James

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James Yee

Expertise

My main area of expertise is Cuban cigars but I can also assist you with cigar etiquette, humidor maintenance and troubleshooting. Unsure of a certain cigar brand? Wondering what a certain cigar tastes like? Have any questions about Cuban cigars? Just let me know! I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. (NOTE: My main focus is on premium, hand-rolled cigars and not cheap, machine made, convenience store cigars.) IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT PROVIDE CIGAR OR CIGAR-RELATED APPRAISALS. If you have a vintage cigar item and you want to know if it's worth something, please contact an antique dealer that specializes in "TOBACCIANA".

Experience

I currently have 19 dedicated years of cigar smoking and counting. I have smoked every brand of Cuban cigars and most reputable non-Cuban cigar brands on a regular basis so I know a fair bit about taste profiles, cigar etiquette and other fine nuances to cigar smoking. For 5 years, I studied with Cuban torcedores (rollers), catadores (taste testers) and revisadores (inspectors) on every aspect involving the production of the Cuban cigar and I am currently writing a book that will help beginners understand everything they need to know about cigars and cigar smoking.

Publications
Maple Leaf Gardens: Memories & Dreams 1931-1999 (1999; ISBN: 0920445616)
50 Things Every Guy Should Know How To Do (2006; ISBN: 0452286654)
The [London] Times (October 8, 2009)


Education/Credentials
B.A. University of Toronto

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