What is it?

[RevSmoke]

Hopefully that got your attention and you are now reading this thread. If so, welcome! God's blessings on your day!

You're probably wondering why the question I posted in the title of this thread. As a good Lutheran, I'd ask, What does this mean? Well, it had nothing to do with Lutheranism. It does have to do with tasting cigars.

In the almost 30 years of smoking cigars, I have seen things come a long way. Not so much in the cigars (although things have changed there), but in the way people talk about, compare notes, and try and get more out of their cigar - and the enjoyment of them. Cigar smokers are more willing to try more new things and look around for different things, than when I started smoking.

But, even at that, many people are not as ecclectic in their tastes as they'd like to pass off. At least as I've been watching, it appears that way. People continually try to compare this cigar to that cigar and then the attendant questions which arise from that comparison... Which is better? Where can I find a cheaper version of this particular brand? Where can I get more that taste like this brand? And then the reverse, I won't ever get that one, or any others that taste similarly.

Personally, I try to smoke every cigar for it's own merits. I like to think that I am truly ecclectic, that my tastes run a much wider gamut than many - I can go mild to strong, Connecticut wrapped to Corojo to Maduro to Cameroon. The size of cigar seems to be also very ecclectic, from PCs to Lanceros to Toro Gordos to Double Churchills. I seem to find occasions for everything that I like. But, I have also come to the point that a cigar really has to "WOW" me to get stocked in the humidor and stay there. I may want to find cigars that compares favorable to a Don XYZPDQ or some other stick, but there is usually something about it that I want to duplicate, but a bit differently.

When push comes to shove, I want different cigars to taste different. I keep my humidor stocked with cigars that produce different flavors so that they fit my different mood... taste... beverage... atmosphere... etc... It appears that many here fit that same bill and smoke many different cigars. But even then, there are some cigars that will never make it into the rotation.

All this brings us back to the subject title and I ask you, "What is it? "

That question embodies a couple ideas that I wanted to pursue and get some others to post their ruminations or...

1) What is it... that I am most looking for when I sit down to smoke a cigar?

2) What is it... that will most likely change my cigar choice/desired taste at any given time to select a cigar?

3) What is it... that appeals to me most in my top 5 favorite cigars? (and maybe you list them and specify what it is in each that makes them most appealing)

4) What is it... that most influences me to try a new cigar/marca?

5) What is it... that makes my "go to cigar," the one I reach for when I don't want to seriously contemplate what I am getting from a particular cigar?

6) What is it... that makes your "special occasion cigar" so special?

7) What is it... that keeps "those" cigars out of my humidor, and even more so, out of my mouth?

8) What is it... that you'd like to comment on in regard to this thread which reflects my preluding ponderings, but isn't reflected in the questions.

Hey, if you've gotten this far, I thank you for reading it.

Peace of the Lord be with you.