Question about sizes

[357]

For most I would think anything over 48 or 50 ring would be considered large/big.

Gerard is right. Conversely bigger ring smokes may have more filler that doesn't have much flavor.

Think of a baking recipe. If it has 150 parts total and you get flavor from 3 types you find a balance. Lets say each is 50 parts. Well if you want the same recipe to be physically larger (300 parts) you might think you would keep the same ratio (100 parts each) , but often it doesn't work out that way. You may end up having 80, 120, and 100 to get the same flavor. Some might keep the 50, 50, 50 and add a fourth filler (100) that has less flavor to strech the recipe.

So, while the brand and marca might be the same, the blend on each vitola is different. It is believed that most blenders use the corona vitola to blend to. If I understand it correctly the other vitolas are made in an attempt to maintain the flavor in the master (corona) blend.

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by 357

For most I would think anything over 48 or 50 ring would be considered large/big.

Gerard is right. Conversely bigger ring smokes may have more filler that doesn't have much flavor.

Think of a baking recipe. If it has 150 parts total and you get flavor from 3 types you find a balance. Lets say each is 50 parts. Well if you want the same recipe to be physically larger (300 parts) you might think you would keep the same ratio (100 parts each) , but often it doesn't work out that way. You may end up having 80, 120, and 100 to get the same flavor. Some might keep the 50, 50, 50 and add a fourth filler (100) that has less flavor to strech the recipe.

So, while the brand and marca might be the same, the blend on each vitola is different. It is believed that most blenders use the corona vitola to blend to. If I understand it correctly the other vitolas are made in an attempt to maintain the flavor in the master (corona) blend.

[Jon11]

So do you prefer a smaller ring? Do you think it is more true to the blend?

[Emjaysmash]

Originally Posted by Jon11

So do you prefer a smaller ring? Do you think it is more true to the blend?

That really depends on what you like. There are a few 50+ RG cigars I enjoy because they aren't as "condensed". Some blend may be too powerful to my palate when in a corona or lancero size. Other sizes may be too big and airy, and may make it seem like the blend is dull. I usually tend to stick to the middle ground (48RG-50RG) for many of my smokes.

[357]

Originally Posted by Jon11

So do you prefer a smaller ring? Do you think it is more true to the blend?

As M.J. said, everyone's taste is different. "True" to the blend usually means a corona size cigar. That is not written in stone, just a generality. The wrapper is often the best quality and best tasting leaf in a cigar. So, in a small ring cigar you will get more wrapper flavor than you will in a larger ring cigar simply based on the amount of filler compared to the amount of wrapper is in the cigar (the ratio mentioned previously).

[shilala]

I think a smaller ring usually delivers sharper flavors, while a larger ring delivers smoother flavors. I think that's a real fair generality.
If you find a cigar you like, use that idea to move up or down in size to find what you enjoy.
I also think a larger ring is going to develop flavors and nuance that you'll never find in a small ring, because there's just not enough time and tobacco to build to that crescendo.
If I'd have stuck to just one size, or get into a small ring or large ring habit, I'm going to miss a lot of really good stuff along the way. I try to mix it up as best I can, but it's sometimes hard to devote all the time necessary to a big ring to get to all the goodness that an hour and a half of smoking can create.

The difference between an Anejo 46 and a Shark comes to mind. Two similar, but very different experiences.