new here, checking some observations

[buzz]

-- The Hemingway was um... "less mild" than the other 2.

Yeah that Oliva is definitely mild and the Hemingway, while mild too, would be a tad stronger. I can't say about the Macnoodle because I haven't had one - badwhale loves those though, so he might chime in.

-- ALL THREE had the unexpected pleasure of actually getting "milder" as it smoked. Is that real, or is that an illusion as my unaccustomed palette got more 'used' to the flavor as the cigar burned down? IOW, I sorta expected these things to get more 'harsh' the shorter they got, but all 3 ...if anything....got milder.

Depends on the cigar, but generally I've found that initially yes, they can be a little harsher before the ash is long enough to "cool" the cigar down a bit. Typically, they will start to get harsh again at the end (last ~1.5").

-- I also seemed to notice that the amount of 'ash' hanging off the end seemed to contribute to mildness. From my cigarette days I'm accustomed to 'flicking the ash' off the end, a lot, but I started resisting this urge with the cigars cuz it seemed to make a difference in the smoothness/mildness. Am I nuts, or is this really how it works?

Yep, a longer ash will be a "cooler" and more mild (or "smoother") smoke.

-- I was STUNNED at how far down I was able to smoke the Oliva & Macanudo. They were both extremely pleasant like down to the last 1.5".

I smoke Padron Anniversarios down to the pain tolerance of burning my fingers/lips.

-- Final observation... the process of enjoying one of these (any of them) is a real investment in time. I'm currently on a little solo vacation & have time to...er.... 'burn'.... which is a good thing cuz this is like a 30 minute process. Not complaining, just reflecting. This seems to be the perfect thing to help one slow down, gaze out over nature, and reflect on life. No cigarette ever contributed so much meditative quality to my life.

30 minutes is pretty quick. I'll sit outside contemplating the meaning of life for an hour and a half if the cigar is good and there are no wifey plans. I also spend a good deal of time admiring my awesome calves though, so "appropriate" smoking times may be closer to an hour.

Welcome from AZ.

-Buzz