Most vendors that I deal with are very discreet, for instance, Famous Smoke shop, whom I have done a great deal of business with, ships with a return address "FSS".

As for tasting, don't get too caught up trying to detect the "burnt Madagascar Vanilla Bean" type of flavors, Most of my reviews I try to list simply what a particular cigar REMINDS me of without trying too hard to FIND flavors. Writing simple notes on the back of a band is a good way to remind yourself sometime down the line that "hey, I really liked these", or "UGH" I did this for quite a while, and honestly, there have been very few in the latter category.

A cigar will often get bitter after ashing because the ash tends to keep it burning cooler, one thing you might try, if the flavor changes drastically after ashing, try blowing out through the cigar for about ten seconds, (known as "Purging"), then let it cool down for about a minute. this normally helps regain the cigars original flavors.


Dennis~