Hacienda Rio, Torpedo, Oscuro

[Rigo]

So I smoked one yesterday and I can say I enjoyed it the most out of the other cigars I have tried before. So much so that I would buy it again because it was pleasant to me.

It was not as I expected though. It had an easy pull and very little draw of the smoke. It smoked a lot when I was not smoking it, again with little smoke when I did smoke. The wrapper did have a small imperfection in the middle but didn't seem to affect the cigar. The ash was flaky and looked light gray. It only went to about an inch before dropping.

Now, this is what gets me. I am new to this cigar stuff so please bare with me.

I did NOT taste any of the flavors people mention when they smoke a cigar. Leathery, woody, minty or any of that stuff. I asked a friend who smokes cigars regularly and told me not to expect that. That a cigar is to enjoy the smoke not to taste flavors. What gives? He then told me that those people out there who claim to taste all those things are imagining that and many "pretend" to taste those things. A cigar is supposed to taste like a cigar (and that's what I tasted).

So, is that true? Are many people out there just making up these things. I've seen reviews on youtube about cigar reviews and seen people talking about they taste sweets, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee and all this stuff.....lol. Is it all just their imagination? If not, then how in the world do they taste this stuff?

[badwhale]

So I smoked one yesterday and I can say I enjoyed it the most out of the other cigars I have tried before. So much so that I would buy it again because it was pleasant to me.

It was not as I expected though. It had an easy pull and very little draw of the smoke. It smoked a lot when I was not smoking it, again with little smoke when I did smoke. The wrapper did have a small imperfection in the middle but didn't seem to affect the cigar. The ash was flaky and looked light gray. It only went to about an inch before dropping.

Now, this is what gets me. I am new to this cigar stuff so please bare with me.

I did NOT taste any of the flavors people mention when they smoke a cigar. Leathery, woody, minty or any of that stuff. I asked a friend who smokes cigars regularly and told me not to expect that. That a cigar is to enjoy the smoke not to taste flavors. What gives? He then told me that those people out there who claim to taste all those things are imagining that and many "pretend" to taste those things. A cigar is supposed to taste like a cigar (and that's what I tasted).

So, is that true? Are many people out there just making up these things. I've seen reviews on youtube about cigar reviews and seen people talking about they taste sweets, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee and all this stuff.....lol. Is it all just their imagination? If not, then how in the world do they taste this stuff?

Can you translate the bolded statement to make sense?

To you general questions, yes just smoke the cigar and note if you like it or not, however if I was just smoking to enjoy the smoke, I could buy bundles of JR alts all day..

Will

[jimmyb]

I have wondered the same thing. I have, on occasion, detected spice and coffee. I think. Or is it BS

[badwhale]

This has been discussed on here, extensively.

[jimmyb]

Can you point me to the thread? Tried a search but no luck

[Rigo]

Can you translate the bolded statement to make sense?

To you general questions, yes just smoke the cigar and note if you like it or not, however if I was just smoking to enjoy the smoke, I could buy bundles of JR alts all day..

Will

Sure can and sorry it didn't make sense.

What I mean to say was that because it was an "Oscuro", I thought it was going to be very strong, and heavy! That was not the case though. To me, it was enjoyable, light and smoked pretty smooth.

[Rigo]

I have wondered the same thing. I have, on occasion, detected spice and coffee. I think. Or is it BS

No doubt I taste the spice or peppery on my tongue and later, the back of my throat but that's about it. To me, that is the normal with every cigar. Some stronger than others.

Before lighting this Hacienda Rio, I did smell the cigar and it had almost a mint scent to it. Non of that when I smoked it.
Very pleasant cigar though.

[badwhale]

Can you point me to the thread? Tried a search but no luck

search "chocolate" and look for the thread with about 100 replies...

[jimmyb]

Thanks Badwhale. Very informative. It is what I thought. I think those reviewers are using food terms to try and describe what they are teasing. I can certainly discern many flavors in a cigar but I can never identify them. I think it is better to be bale to tell where the wrapper comes from the soil etc. Just my 2 cents.

[tonygraz]

I haven't smoked the oscuro version, but the rest of the light wrapper line hasn't got much to talk about for flavors IMHO.