Back to Back Cigars

[rabidraccoon]

I’d like solicit some advice on cigar combinations for smoking back to back. I usually like to smoke one long lasting cigar but sometimes smoke two smaller ones instead. Are there any strategies for smoking back to back and not having the first drown out the flavor of the second, for example: fruity flavored cigar first, woody/chocolatey flavored second or lighter body first, heavier second? If you have specific recommendations that would be great too. I once found a Upmann Royal Robusto followed by a HDM Epi #2 to be a good back to back session. 

[Derboesekoenig]

I always do the lighter body cigar first for that very reason, size notwithstanding. Palette cleanser in between, and doesn't really matter what medium you use. I also usually have a beverage and/or snack with my cigars, something to compliment the flavors present. Lots of experimentation to do. Good luck! All of our tastes differ, remember.

[rabidraccoon]

7 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said:

I always do the lighter body cigar first for that very reason, size notwithstanding. Palette cleanser in between, and doesn't really matter what medium you use. I also usually have a beverage and/or snack with my cigars, something to compliment the flavors present. Lots of experimentation to do. Good luck! All of our tastes differ, remember.

True. The palate cleanser is a great tip. I find that when I smoke at places in Little Havana, I get sugarcane juice and it’s an amazing palate cleanser.

[LLC]

I always do the lighter body cigar first for that very reason, size notwithstanding. Palette cleanser in between, and doesn't really matter what medium you use. I also usually have a beverage and/or snack with my cigars, something to compliment the flavors present. Lots of experimentation to do. Good luck! All of our tastes differ, remember.

Agree. Much like wine your better off starting with a lighter body and the a fuller bodied cigar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JohnS]

The best advice I can give you is what I learnt from reading Zino Davidoff's 1969 classic, "The Connoisseur's Book of the Cigar". In it he states that one should give their palate 10 to 15 minutes between cigars and not chain-smoke them. I can personally attest to the wisdom in doing this as it's made a difference to my cigar-smoking experience.

[rabidraccoon]

2 hours ago, JohnS said:

The best advice I can give you is what I learnt from reading Zino Davidoff's 1969 classic, "The Connoisseur's Book of the Cigar". In it he states that one should give their palate 10 to 15 minutes between cigars and not chain-smoke them. I can personally attest to the wisdom in doing this as it's made a difference to my cigar-smoking experience.

Didn’t think to do this but I will try it out

[Lomey]

I smoke the lighter cigar first unless I haven't smoked one of them before and then I smoke it first.  Definitely 10-15 min between cigars while having a drink.

[GrouchoMarx]

I generally have a lighter, longer stick for my daily "unwinder" - I'll have a fuller bodied one a bit later.

I typically take about 20 min - 1/2 hour minimum between the two.

I don't understand people who smoke stick after stick after stick after stick in succession.

[stunod]

I agree with John.  15 minutes between cigars.  As for lighter to stronger, it's a good idea but I rarely think like that.  I never plan a smoke by strength, only length and flavor profile.

I will say that I am not a morning smoker.  If I was I would probally re-evaluate that.

[El Presidente]

I love a little bit of fruit between cigars. A couple of strawberries or 3-4 grapes, slice of apple. John is spot on with the 15 minutes. 

[Fuzz]

4 hours ago, El Presidente said:

I love a little bit of fruit between cigars. A couple of strawberries or 3-4 grapes, slice of apple. John is spot on with the 15 minutes. 

15 minutes between cigars? That never seems to happen at Havanathon!

[Rrm7284]

I’ve found it to work we’ll both ways between lighter and fuller first. Guess it just depends on my mood. If I’m going full mongrel on one of them, I’ll take that first and follow up with something lighter. But I do lean towards lighter first most of the time. 15 minutes seems like a good consensus.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Edward7]

I am all over the place. I basically figure out how much time I’ve got to smoke and grab two based on that. If I even have time for two I start with the churchill size and then maybe wrap up with a robusto or Mille fleur/shorts size depending on time left. I dont mind whether the full bodied one comes first or second. But I don’t give enough time in between usually and by the end of the second one I’m ready to be done. 

[captain]

I usually start with something fat and light/med like a wide Churchill or hdm epi 2..have a sugary drink/apple/crackers or a starch /some type of meat in between than after about 30-45 min (I agree minimum of 15 min)  start out with something more bold like a psd4/el’s/Maduro 1/ etc. 

 

or or sometimes I’ll stick with light...all depends on the day.

[joeypots]

I always smoke the cigar I think will be the best of the day first. I don’t smoke every day by a long shot so a multiple day is somewhat rare. Even so, the best cigar deserves a fresh palate.

[rabidraccoon]

28 minutes ago, joeypots said:

I always smoke the cigar I think will be the best of the day first. I don’t smoke every day by a long shot so a multiple day is somewhat rare. Even so, the best cigar deserves a fresh palate.

This has been my strategy too. Not wanting to risk not enjoying the better cigar as much

[BrightonCorgi]

Forget about the "rules".  If you want another cigar, go get one and smoke it!