Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum  

Go Back   Cigar Asylum Cigar Forum > Cigar Forums > Cigar Discussion > All Cigar Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-18-2009, 06:31 PM   #1
Snake Hips
Götterdämmerung
 
Snake Hips's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
First Name: Tyler
Location: Directly above the center of the Earth
Posts: 1,013
Trading: (10)
Bolivar
Snake Hips will become famous soon enough
Default What Gives Us Our Taste?

This is kind of an odd question, and a little out there, but I hope to start an interesting discussion. What gives us the taste that we do? By that, I mean what we choose. We are "modern" in palate. We smoke a variety of cigars from many different brands and countries in search of complexity and particular profiles as well as construction and value. This is tied to other things as well, like alcohol. We sample different beers of a huge variety of styles from several countries searching again for complexity and superiority in profile. Beers, rums, whisk[e]ys, wines...but why? Why were our fathers insistent on one thing - the local beer and "his" cigar brand? Our dads smoked box after box of one cigar, King Edwards, White Owls or whatever. Our dads drank case after case of shitty local beer (Olympia, Lone Star, Old Style, Stroh's, Schaefer, etc.) and/or bottle after bottle of Jim Beam or whatever "affordable" spirit he chose. So why can't recent generations settle on anything but variety and complexity? Boutique cigar brands, craft breweries and the such have exploded in the last decade, but why?
Snake Hips is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 06:42 PM   #2
ChicagoWhiteSox
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

I think the simply answer is because we can. We have much more access to different products than ever before. With the internet, which has really expanded commerce, the consumer has greater access to much more products. I am sure there are many other reasons to your question.
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 07:19 PM   #3
KenS
When do I get my meds?
 
KenS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edmonds, WA
Posts: 898
Trading: (26)
Partagas
KenS has a spectacular aura aboutKenS has a spectacular aura about
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoWhiteSox View Post
I think the simply answer is because we can. We have much more access to different products than ever before. With the internet, which has really expanded commerce, the consumer has greater access to much more products. I am sure there are many other reasons to your question.
I don't think there was nearly as much choice in the past (in fact, I certain there wasn't).
__________________
For the record, Massholes (especially adopted Massholes) do not have to root for the damn Red Sox.
KenS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 06:48 PM   #4
Starscream
Knowhutimean, Vern?
 
Starscream's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Andy
Location: In a little town somewhere in the USA
Posts: 10,237
Trading: (4)
Partagas
Starscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snake Hips View Post
This is kind of an odd question, and a little out there, but I hope to start an interesting discussion. What gives us the taste that we do? By that, I mean what we choose. We are "modern" in palate. We smoke a variety of cigars from many different brands and countries in search of complexity and particular profiles as well as construction and value. This is tied to other things as well, like alcohol. We sample different beers of a huge variety of styles from several countries searching again for complexity and superiority in profile. Beers, rums, whisk[e]ys, wines...but why? Why were our fathers insistent on one thing - the local beer and "his" cigar brand? Our dads smoked box after box of one cigar, King Edwards, White Owls or whatever. Our dads drank case after case of shitty local beer (Olympia, Lone Star, Old Style, Stroh's, Schaefer, etc.) and/or bottle after bottle of Jim Beam or whatever "affordable" spirit he chose. So why can't recent generations settle on anything but variety and complexity? Boutique cigar brands, craft breweries and the such have exploded in the last decade, but why?
I don't smoke just one brand of cigar, but my tastes in alcohol are pretty basic. I'm not that hard to please in terms of complexity with cigars either. Although most people seem to shun one-dimensional cigars, I tend to enjoy many one-dimensional smokes.
I also think that we have much less of a sense of brand loyalty than we did fifty to one hundred years ago. Not that there's anything wrong with that (well not much wrong with it).
__________________

Insert quote here.
Starscream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 07:18 PM   #5
MajorCaptSilly
Sklee
 
MajorCaptSilly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Scott
Location: Mishawaka, IN
Posts: 2,523
Trading: (30)
Bolivar
MajorCaptSilly has disabled reputation
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

I think the question can be answered by availability and supply and demand. My dad didn't have the choices we have today and his dad had even fewer choices. Some smart people started giving us choices with micro brews and premium cigars and it turned out to be a good idea. Some rise to the top (not neccesarily the best but the best marketers) and they create demand which keeps them in business. Does it make us bad to partake in things our parents couldn't? I bet if the same stuff was available back then, it would probably do pretty well. Not as well as today because of te internet but pretty well.

MCS
__________________
Pillsbury, Minneapolis, Prince, Spoon Bridge and Cherry, coinkydink?
MajorCaptSilly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 08:56 PM   #6
Snake Hips
Götterdämmerung
 
Snake Hips's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
First Name: Tyler
Location: Directly above the center of the Earth
Posts: 1,013
Trading: (10)
Bolivar
Snake Hips will become famous soon enough
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

Quote:
Originally Posted by MajorCaptSilly View Post
I think the question can be answered by availability and supply and demand. My dad didn't have the choices we have today and his dad had even fewer choices. Some smart people started giving us choices with micro brews and premium cigars and it turned out to be a good idea. Some rise to the top (not neccesarily the best but the best marketers) and they create demand which keeps them in business. Does it make us bad to partake in things our parents couldn't? I bet if the same stuff was available back then, it would probably do pretty well. Not as well as today because of te internet but pretty well.

MCS
Didn't say that it makes us bad. I just find it interesting that there's been such a change of consumer taste, and I suppose choice is a good answer to that. Old dad had a choice of maybe three domestic cigars and the two local beers while we have easy access to hundreds of cigars and beers from many, many places. But I think it's more of a curiosity thing because these things are available to us. How many of us would be satisfied with only our very favorite of each? I guarantee all of us would choose variety instead, simply because things are available to try. Brand loyalty is interesting too. We all have favorites, so shouldn't we logically be loyal to those brands or products?
Snake Hips is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 09:58 PM   #7
Starscream
Knowhutimean, Vern?
 
Starscream's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
First Name: Andy
Location: In a little town somewhere in the USA
Posts: 10,237
Trading: (4)
Partagas
Starscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to beholdStarscream is a splendid one to behold
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snake Hips View Post
We all have favorites, so shouldn't we logically be loyal to those brands or products?
Yes, but we don't have to purchase that product exclusively. We will continue to purchase the one's we like, along with other things, but we will consistently return to those favorites. That is still being loyal in my book.

I like Burger King, but I also enjoy something from Wendy's from time to time. If I go to Wendy's every now and then, but still continue to spend money at Burger King as well, I would consider that still being loyal to Burger King.
__________________

Insert quote here.
Starscream is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 06:13 AM   #8
Addiction
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

Alex I think I'm the exception. I could quite easily smoke Cohibas and only Cohibas for the rest of my life, if asked to pick a single one it would be overwhelmingly Lanceros. I'm currently on a drive to turn 80% of my stash (collection is to grand a word for it) into Cohibas. I'm simple like that.
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2009, 07:44 PM   #9
the nub
Papa Chino
 
the nub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 320
Trading: (2)
LGC
the nub is on a distinguished road
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

I hate to say it but I think it's due to lack of advertising.

If you look at other consumer goods segments, you'll find that brand loyalty is very high. Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, clothing, electronics are dominated by brands with strong media campaigns that in turn builds brand loyalty.

Cuban cigars have almost no advertising and my guess is overall there is low brand loyalty except maybe for the global brands. I'd also guess that in the US where print and POP advertising is allowed for cigars, brands such as Macanudo, Punch, White Owl, and Davidoff have stronger brand loyalty due to their (IMO) greater marketing efforts. But otherwise there is no direction except personal unbiased preference.
the nub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 02:14 PM   #10
Uflbassin
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

I think its just a case of most people like variety. Imagine eating the same meal for dinner every day of the week, even if its a good dish you're going to get tired of it after a while. Cigars and drinks are the same way, its always good to try something a bit different.
  Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 02:22 PM   #11
kelmac07
Resident Maduro Whore!!
 
kelmac07's Avatar
6
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
First Name: Mac
Location: Newport News, VA
Posts: 27,322
Trading: (218)
Bolivar Army (Retired)
kelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond reputekelmac07 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: What Gives Us Our Taste?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uflbassin View Post
I think its just a case of most people like variety. Imagine eating the same meal for dinner every day of the week, even if its a good dish you're going to get tired of it after a while. Cigars and drinks are the same way, its always good to try something a bit different.
That is me!! I like to change it up every now and again...from Maduro to Triple Maduro.
__________________
Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"
kelmac07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
All content is copyrighted jointly by Cigar Asylum and the content provider.