Is it me?

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by OLS

Yes, it IS you. But like you said in your famous quote, it's really all about you to begin with. Smoke what YOU
like. What turns one smoker on is not guaranteed to turn YOU ON. A well-known aircraft mechanic in Washington State was
overly kind to me and sent me a large selection of the Liga type stuff, a pig, a few various 9s, and some other similarly-
styled cigars. I didn't get it. They were strong but not necessarily interesting. Someone might get some flair
out of em, but I couldn't get past the power to find the taste. And maybe it wasn't even there. Maybe I WAS more
sophisticated after 20 years of cigar smoking. Maybe I had better taste buds than I thought....or much worse.
Tastes change. Embrace what you like and leave the rest to others.

True dat! However, just look at what a wonderful conversation we got going here. Wasn't that cool!

I'd like to seriously think that my tastes have refined past the bold and sassy, in order that I now appreciate subtle nuances. I like my pepper in cigars and bold spiciness, but I want some complexity and subtle flavors to be present as well to keep my interest.

By the way, I am also one who likes my spicy food to really turn up the heat.

Interestingly, many pipe smokers show an interesting progression. (The following is painted in broad strokes and is just something I have noted with many pipe smokers I know. Remember, not all travel this progression and many ultimately enjoy all 5 of the "types" of tobacco I will describe)

1. They start out with Aromatics, very stong and bold tasting. Often, that taste is derived more from the flavorings which are applied to the base tobacco, than from the tobacco itself. And furthermore, oftentimes that tobacco is substandard since it really is just about the flavorings.

2. They move to English blends. Again, a very bold flavor is evident, most often derived from the presence of Latakia. It has a bold flavor derived from the smoked curing process this particular constituent tobacco endures.

3. Oriental or Oriental/English blends are next. Here the Latakia is either absent entirely or much reduced. Natural flavors of the constituent tobaccos predominate, but orientals have some strong aromas and slightly spicy flavors.

4a. Virginias are all natural, but come with the highest natural sugar content in them, they must be smoked slowly and the flavors are subtle and nuanced. These and Burleys which have the lowest natural sugar content, which are predominantly nutty, are often seen as that final step, where pipesters are smoking them for the subtle nuances derived from the tobaccos themselves.

4b. Virginias w/Perique and/or Burleys w/Perique or other light-handed additions of Latakia, Oriental, or even Virginias would also be classed here. Again, the flavors are subtle and nuances need to be savored by slow smoking.

Many of the flavors in 4a. or 4b. are very "mild" (I use that term loosely). They require a clean palate to taste them. Interestingly, many cigar smokers who take up the pipe never really appreciate them, looking for "more" flavor, more smoke.

Personally, Virginias and Virginias w/Perique are my favorites, although I like a good English and a "clean" Aromatic. I have never really appreciated Burleys, nor Orientals.

Peace of the Lord be with you.