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Discussion Contest: Common Cigar Misconceptions

Discussion Contest: Common Cigar Misconceptions

Happy Monday, folks!  

My apologies for my absence recently, 2020 has been one crazy ride so far! 

This week, I’m curious to hear your thoughts about some common (and uncommon) misconceptions that permeate the cigar community.  

Which common misconceptions do you often hear from the cigar community?

Login and comment on this post below for a chance to win a Small Batch gift card this weekend! 

Myself, I’ll start with the one that had me fooled for years!  Until about 2015, I was convinced that a cigar was a cigar.  Having smoked mostly robustos and toros the seven or eight years before that, I was very skeptical about different sizes having different flavor profiles. Hell, for a long time I was skeptical about most of the tasting notes I read in cigar descriptions anyway! 

Of course, I was also smoking a very different cigar back then: pretty much anything that I could get an absurd package deal on.  Flavor wasn’t nearly as important as construction in those days for me, and that also speaks to the type of cigar I was buying.  I’m cringing as I write this, but  pride is a young man’s game… One must always try to pass forward the experience of time when applicable. 

Luckily, I’ve since wizened up and learned about the blender’s intent, the size/volume constraints on tobacco ratios, and the ever-changing target of different crops, primings, and yields.  One of my favorite things about this industry is that it's very small and cigar insiders are very willing to part with information when asked.

Tell us!  What are common misconceptions that you read or hear about from time to time? 

 

DISCUSSION CONTEST DETAILS

One of the comments below will win a $25 gift card.  The gift card will automatically be sent to the email address that you login to comment with, so please use your regular sign-in.   

I’ll be randomly selecting a comment below this Sunday after sending out the Weekly Newsletter. The winner can expect a comment with his or her name in it, a congratulations email, and an email with the $25 gift card information.  The actual gift card email takes some time to generate from the system and may lag behind by up to 48 hours. 

Only available to U.S. customers. (Sorry!)

 

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Comments

3/2/2020 5:14 AM
One misconception that, I do my best to correct when I hear it is, the darker the cigar the stronger they are or the lighter cigars are always mild

While that could be somewhat true in most cases, it’s not always true and there’s plenty of companies out there that can prove it, Black Label Trading Co is a prime example in my opinion
3/2/2020 5:53 AM
I hear a lot of people say "the bigger the better". While it is a personal preference, I just wish that some of the 60 ring guys would smoke a smaller vitola side by side with their big boy.
3/2/2020 6:32 AM
Cubans are better. I’ve had some outstanding Cuban cigars, but the experience rarely matches the price tag. And I’ve had Cuban cigars that the Perfect  Draw couldn’t even fix.
I will take a 9$ Illusione over a 17$ Cuban cigar any day of the week.
3/2/2020 9:20 AM
The idea that Aged is always better than Fresh is a misconception I’ve heard. This is true in some cases, but not in others.
3/2/2020 9:30 AM
This is more of a cigars on social media misconception, but it relates to the "widespread" love of lanceros. I have never actually met a person who loves lanceros. The few who have admitted to smoking them often complain about the construction,.
3/2/2020 11:48 AM
I always heard that Maduros are heavy cigars and the darker they are the heavier they will be. I have had some very well balanced Maduros that we full of flavor but did not have the heaviness associated with Maduros. The Crowned Heads Juarez is an example of this.
3/2/2020 12:52 PM
I used to think the different vitolas had everything to do with appearance, feel, etc. and nothing to do with flavor, strength, balance, etc.
3/2/2020 3:05 PM
One of my first misconceptions was that I had to follow certain general rules that were laid out by the experts. eg. the 70/70 rule or certain recommended pairings.
3/2/2020 7:31 PM
When I first started smoking cigars I would avoid the Connecticut shade wrappers because I would hear people say they tended to be bitter with grassy notes. I thought the darker the wrapper the more I would enjoy them, but now through samplers I have gained an appreciation for the nuances that lighter wrappers can bring to the table.
3/3/2020 2:53 AM
When I started smoking cigars I had the naive misconception that one humidor could easily hold all the cigars an individual would ever need to own.
3/3/2020 6:51 AM
I idea that super expensive cigars are always better. I definitely have had many 5-7 dollar sticks that I've enjoyed far more than expensive ones.
3/3/2020 2:35 PM
This is a good question and I can think of a few off the top of my head that I have encountered.  The first thing I learned about when I first got into cigars was the concept of "Plume".  Thankfully, I have learned that all Plume is just mold and have not had to worry about that concept, however, I see posts online about it every once and awhile, so I know that it's still out there as "a good thing".  The second misconception I have seen is that there is a "Best" way to store cigars in terms of temp and humidity.  I have come to the conclusion that similar to cigars, everyone prefers their own thing.  There is a good starting point, but there are so many variables that I believe that individuals should experiment and find out what temp/humidity works the best for them.  It's not always 65/65.
3/3/2020 7:14 PM
As a newer cigar smoker, I felt nervous and embarrassed to try certain cigars. For example, I was naturally drawn towards cigars with more flavor. However, i was afraid to buy them or smoke them in front of my peers. I had a misconception that certain flavored cigars were frowned upon. Ive since grown into my own when it comes to cigars. I allow myself to explore all sizes and flavors because its personal preference at the end of the day. I especially love your coffee break sampler and cigars that flavors pair well with coffee (I.e. java madura). I smoked a java recently and some seasoned cigar smokers both testified they had wanted to try one. I feel like some cigar smokers operate under the impression they cannot explore and grow into their own. I know I was a little afraid which I see is ridiculous now! I guess I didn't want to "do it wrong." Id say the biggest misconception is you have to be experienced to smoke a cigar and that you have to stick with traditional. There are just too many damn good cigars out there. Traditional is great, but I leave room in my humidor for anything I find personally tasty. I'm currently loving the Guardian of the farm claude smoke. Great blend and easy smoke time for an intermediate guy like myself.
3/4/2020 9:20 AM
The myth that smoking cigars is the same, worse or similar to smoking cigarettes in terms of health. Still yet to be a proven link between cigar use and cancer and other diseases yet federal warnings/media etc continue to pump it into the ignorant masses, thus lumping all tobacco products into the same category.
3/4/2020 11:09 AM
I strongly second this.  The idea that cigars have similar health risks as cigarettes discredits science.
3/4/2020 2:28 PM
Who'd thunk kitty litter could keep your cigars fresh?
3/4/2020 10:55 PM
I don't know if I'd call it a misconception, but I'm realizing that if I'm constantly waiting for a "special occasion" to smoke my nicer cigars, I'll never get to smoke them.

I'm learning to just enjoy my cigars.
3/5/2020 10:29 AM
All great comments and points that I agree with!  Although I do fall into the group that really digs Lancero cigars :-)

The other one that I always chuckle at with my wife is “you’re not done yet?!” She and others always seem to think I should be done in like 30 minutes.  I typically have to remind her I need a minimum of an hour; maybe more.
3/5/2020 11:11 AM
This isn't a misconception in my cigar community/ family, they just know  but,   I do hear often , "you smoke cigars ?! "  followed by laughter, smirks, and eye rolls, when I reference the anticipation of relaxing with a good cigar and a bourbon.  The misconception :  Only men smoke cigars !
3/5/2020 9:08 PM
I think a common misconception is that cigars are cheap.  A lot of people think Swisher sweet rather than long filler hand rolled.
3/8/2020 10:03 PM
Congrats to Karen!  And many thanks to everyone else for participating this week :D
3/9/2020 3:57 PM
The biggest misconception I began cigars with and still have issues with, is not smoking certain cigars by how they look or the “branding”. Once I started realizing what cigars I enjoyed, I convinced myself to only smoke boutique brands. But then I smoked a Oliva V Melanio or a Henry Clay Warhawk for the first time and they blew my face off. Now I just want to try everything at least once.