Do You Retrohale?

[JohnS]

We had a thread on this specific topic a few years ago now and I intended to start a new poll after @Luca and I brought up the issue a few times during our current mid-2019 Video Review Series.

So, basically speaking, do you retrohale? If so, do you do with every cigar and consistently, or only on occasion, depending on the cigar or mood? Or perhaps you just never do? The thread below indicated something like half of members either do or don't...I'm curious to see how things have changed in almost ten years.

Below are some other threads on the topic to peruse...

 

[SigmundChurchill]

On just about every puff.  I’m not even sure I know how to smoke a cigar without retrohaling anymore.

[cbaty08]

Because none of the choices suit this noob...

I've tried, and it has burned a bit... so I keep trying here and there. 

I'll get there.

Maybe I just need to party first.  *shrugs*

[Islandboy]

I retrohale simply out of habit, as it usually provides an added element of taste. However, I do occasionally find it works negatively with some cigars - a recent CoLa comes to mind - then I have to concentrate on NOT retrohaling.

[BarryVT]

Tend to do it subconsciously without even realizing I'm doing  it.

[dobbs]

i do it every time, in general it adds complexity that would otherwise be missing. can't think of a cuban cigar i couldn't or didn't want to retrohale, or where it didn't contribute positively.

-dobbs

[MrGlass]

Ever so occasionally, it pops into my head to try it again.  But then it burns, I get tears in my eyes, and I immediately remember why I don't ever bother with it.  And then 6-12 months later, this whole exercise repeats itself.  I have never once gotten anything meaningful out of it, so each time I fail, the gap between attempts increases as well.  So I've responded to your poll with a "no, never" as I think it's the most accurate of the available options, but if there was a "no, but I've tried multiple times and failed miserably every time" option I would have been all over that instead.

[OldEasy]

I will intentionally do so if I’m smoking a cigar ‘seriously’, I.e. looking for flavor notes actively, especially if it’s a cigar that is new to me. If I’m smoking a cigar passively/just to relax I may or may not depending on my mood and the blend. Usually Cubans haven’t given me trouble, but a few deceptively smooth Nicaraguans have done a number on my nose when I tried (Padron comes to mind), so I may avoid if smoking a cigar where I expect it to be unpleasant.

[mwaller]

I usually try it at least once with every cigar. If I find it unpleasant, I don't do it again.  If it's smooth, I will retrohale every few puffs.  

[Viva Vegas]

Hell yes

[rbi]

Quite often!  Oh, hold on...cigars?  ?

Yeah, I do it a few times each cigar, too! 

[Richard peters]

Everytime. For me it guides me through the changes of flavors.

[tigger]

A couple/few times per cigar.

[Jonboy4074]

Every time.

[CampDelta369]

More so on complex marcas. Less so if it’s harsh or overly spiced,  So rarely on NC’s. I also do small amounts of smoke more frequently and not big blasts. 

[SmokyFontaine]

Bout every 5 puffs. I think you're missing out on 50% of the flavor and experience if you're just sucking and blowing. Hunh. That could've been phrased better.

[ohbob976]

I think retrohaling too much burns out my nasal passages to the point that it makes it difficult to fully taste cigars if i do it too much. But on the other hand there are people doing it all the time and it doesnt seem to effect them. So i really dont know 

[Wookie]

Like tasting food and wine I think you have to use olfactory capacity to detect complexity in cigars.

[alloy]

Tasting cc's and nc's, I always retrohale.

[bbguardsp]

3 hours ago, SigmundChurchill said:

On just about every puff.  I’m not even sure I know how to smoke a cigar without retrohaling anymore.

Same.  Not much of a cigar if I dont lol.

[SCgarman]

Nope, never. I have enough sinus issues combined with seasonal pollen allergies. No need to be passin' smoke through my nose. Besides all your tastebuds are on the tongue and palate anyway. 

[Mikeltee]

Reteohale offers a much different perspective on a cigar. Half the time I dont perfer it on some cigars, and the other half I really enjoy it. For the ones I enjoy, I will retrohale about 10% of the time. Regardless, every cigar gets a chance and I'll usually start in the middle of the first third.

[LLC]

Tend to do it subconsciously without even realizing I'm doing  it.

Same and it does add another dimension to the experience.


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[BoliDan]

99% of the time. Cigars are aromatic. Adding the olfactory is will result in increase of flavors, period. Ignoring the olfactory in any tasting is a huge disservice. That said it take awhile to get used to, and I understand why people are turned off by it. Keep at it, it becomes zero pain, and all flavor. I dont think I'd bother with cigars without retrohaling.

[IanMcLean68]

Every cigar, but to different degrees depending on the cigars strength and age. I think its difficult to get all the nuances from a cigar without using your olfactory senses. I also like the tingle. I used to French inhale small sips of smoke whilst smoking my cigars, I still do a little, but retro-haling gives you almost the same affect, albeit in a stronger quicker blast, and without the dangers associated with inhaling small amounts of smoke which is inevitable when French inhaling.