Expert: Bill Finck Jr. - 6/7/2007

Question
I have been smoking cigars on an occasional basis for more than 30 years... sometimes none for months then sometimes 1 to 3 per week.  I am beginning to wonder if there is something wrong with my taste buds because I seem to prefer the taste of the Garcia Y Vega Crystal 100 to almost anything else I find out there.  When I tell an "expert" that at a cigar store they look at me like I have two heads.  The only problem with the Crystals is that they are not always consistent.  I have tried a number of expensive cigars usually asking for something on the mild, sweet side.  With these I have almost always been disappointed as the cigars are flavorless, or quite harsh with what I might call a pepper taste.  I would like to "move up" to a "better" cigar and I am looking for recommendations for a mild, sweet, flavorful cigar with a good aroma.  If you could help me with this I would really appreciate it.

Answer
Allen,
First, there is nothing wrong with your taste buds. There are thousands of different cigars, each with its own unique taste, and just like food, different flavors appeal to different people. There are about 8 times more machine made cigars sold than hand made, so you are not in the minority either - lots of people enjoy cigars like Garcia Y Vega. If you'd like to try a handmade, sweet - try Baccarat. It's not mild, but its not overpoweringly strong and it has a nice, light sweet taste. You could also try Helix Remix, Tatiana, or one of the CAO Flavored cigars. We actually make a cigar I think you'd really enjoy called Texas Sweets. It is machine made like Garcia Y Vega, but it is 100% tobacco (GYV uses a homogenized binder). Our Texas Sweets are mild smoking, lightly flavored with rum and have a lightly sweet taste. We sell tons of them, so a lot of people enjoy them. The only place you can get them is from us direct - visit www.finckcigar.com if you are interested.
Thanks.
Bill Finck Jr.