Cigars that compliment each other.

[FunkyCold5]

I agree with everyone so far.

I normally smoke 1 cigar when I have my own personal time. It just so happens, I've been meeting up with local BOTLs for smokes and during holiday events, it just got overwhelming the days I smoked more than one cigar.

First pairing that I started questioning my choice was with a Sopranos Soldier, which was gifted by the BOTL I was smoking with, therefore I smoked it first. I truely enjoyed it. I had enough time for another smoke, and the company and conversation didn't seem to be ending soon, so I went for one of my go-to smokes an Oliva MB3. One of my favorite smokes. However, after smoking that Soprano, it wasn't much of a smoke. I do have to note, I did not drink or eat anything the entire time. Plus, I think the Sopranos is much more of a full bodied smoke compared to an MB3. I've never really thought of MB3 as a full bodied smoke. Maybe more medium. My opinion.

Second pairing was at an event and it was a nice mix of cigars. Don Kiki Brown, PSD#5 LE, and Opux X Power Ranger, in that order. It was a perfect combination. BUT, I did drink soda and multiple cups of coffee and had food in between the Kiki Brown and PSD#5. All had their own flavor profile and it was distiguishable. Didn't really have the same problem as the first pairing.

I guess if you must smoke more than one cigar, smoke it with some sort of drink. Or allow enough time in between to allow your pallate to prepare for the next smoke.

[FunkyCold5]

So, we've got opinions on:
Mild, Medium and then Full bodied.
Price from more expensive to cheapy.
Smoking randomly because you are mixing drinks/food with your cigar.

How about ISOMS? Will you smoke the ISOM first before that Dominican/Honduran/Nicaraguan? Going with strength makes sense...but what does your gut instinct tell you when you just walk up to the herf and open your travel humi blindly and pick up a stick. Do you go for the juggular and choose that ISOM you've been itching to smoke or be more descrete at first and start off with your daily go-to and save the best for last?

[FactoredReality]

I think getting the best experience out of the sticks would be my main priority. After the first 2 your taste buds will have taken quite the assault. I would go for the smoke with the most subtle flavors first and save the power house full body smoke last. Knowing I was going to be smoking multiple sticks I would plan for the more expensive smoke(s) first/second and dial it down from there.

As far as ISOMs go, I imagine how rare/enjoyable they are to the smoker will influence the how and when. I would definately plan on a break / palette cleansing before lighting up a ISOM if it was not the first smoke of the evening.

I think length of the smoke could have some influence as well. For instance a AF short story should allow faster recovery than its larger brother the Hemmingway. But this is speculation at best.


(Stone Brewery makes Ruination IPA with the sole purpse of deliciously destroying your sense of taste)

[DeeDubya]

So, we've got opinions on:
Mild, Medium and then Full bodied.
Price from more expensive to cheapy.
Smoking randomly because you are mixing drinks/food with your cigar.

How about ISOMS? Will you smoke the ISOM first before that Dominican/Honduran/Nicaraguan? Going with strength makes sense...but what does your gut instinct tell you when you just walk up to the herf and open your travel humi blindly and pick up a stick. Do you go for the juggular and choose that ISOM you've been itching to smoke or be more descrete at first and start off with your daily go-to and save the best for last?

Cleanse the palate between cigars. It's a necessity for wine tasters. There is even a beverage "SanTasti" specifically formulated to cleanse the palate.

Personally, I would not be seen drinking a SanTasti at a Herf. But, some like a glass of water. Pretzels and beer do a good job for me. Wine does not, especially a cab or merlot. I think snacking something with a drink is important.

Anyway, my point is, if you can start a new cigar with a clean palate, then the order becomes a mute point, or at least diminished.

Whatchathink?