Big Mike

Flavored Cigars: They ain't what they used to be

Veteran cigar smokers often belly-laugh at the thought of smoking a flavored cigar - or at least snicker. To some, flavored cigars are like wine coolers to wine drinkers. Hell, many look over their shoulder before taking a peek at one in a cigar shop - and probably will even skip this article. But increasingly, there is a sort of flight to quality among flavored cigars, so don't necessarily dismiss them out of hand. Believe me, I was one of them just a short time ago.
I can't tell you how many customers pick up a small flavored cigarillo, smell it, notice it's only 50 cents, and buy it on a whim. More often than not, they can't even finish the damn thing, throw it away, and vow never to try another flavored cigar again. After trying many samples, I don't blame these guys. I have noticed that most flavored cigars are extremely mild, sickeningly sweet, cloying, poorly constructed, and rarely taste like the intended flavor anyway.
Most people think of flavored cigars as small tobacco trimmings soaked in a cherry or vanilla flavored 'brine' and covered in a sugar soaked wrapper leaf. As disgusting as this may sound, it can be true with your lesser-known brands. However, the tides continue to change and the market for flavored cigars has been flourishing at an enormous rate over the past 1-2 years. And with brands like CAO Flavours, the Gurkha Louis XIII, Toraño, ACID, and Alec Bradley entering the 'flavored family', you wouldn't expect anything less. Using new technologies within the curing process, the bar of quality has been raised to new heights. Need some examples? That's why I am writing this article!
Let's talk about the flavoring process. More specifically, let's talk about the new and improved process being used by some of your better known brands. Some brands such as CAO Flavours and the Gurkha Louis XIII line imbue - rather than soak or spray - aromas in the tobacco over time to impart a subtle and pleasant taste. Carlos Toraño has implemented the use of so-called 'reaction flavors' to create their flavored line, Rum Rumba. Reaction flavors are created specifically for tobacco products, causing the blend to gain flavor as the cigar burns. This is an improvement, as many flavored cigars lose their sweetness and flavor only to gain a bitter harshness towards the end. ACID cigars employ a slightly different process: an "aroma room" is lined with over 200 essential herbs, oils and botanicals to infuse a highly aromatic taste.
Alec Bradley - maker of Trilogy and Occidental - has a flavored series called Gourmet Dessert Cigars. These are also created with a unique twist. Using all-natural flavorings frequently used within the baking industry, Alec Bradley significantly improved the flavor of the cigars as well as extended the flavored life of the cigars. Prior to these improvements, some flavored cigars were known to lose their added flavor even as they sat on the shelf waiting to be purchased.
So what's the point of this article you ask? Well, even if it's not your everyday cup of tea, why not try a flavored cigar, or give it another try if your first experience wasn't great? You may actually be impressed, and find a nice 'change of pace smoke' along the way. Even if you have to get your wife to buy it for you and then smoke it in a locked room with the lights out and shades drawn, it's worth a shot.

- Big Mike

www.bigmikescigars.com