Are you a good judge of nicotine content?

TheTraveler · 07-17-2009, 10:19 PM

Is it just me? Am I the only one who gets surprised by the nicotine buzz from some cigars?

Something must be wrong with my ability to judge how much a cigar is affecting me. I can't tell when I'm getting a nicotine buzz until BLAM I'm pasty white, sweating and nauseous! I've read reviews that said "Cigar X is a little stronger than Cigar Y, and Cigar Z is somewhere in the middle". For me, either a cigar is mild or it kicks my a$$.

As a side note, not many cigars (so far, mind you) have given me that nicotine a$$ whipping - though admittedly I've not smoked any notorious nicotine bombs yet. I have smoked cigars that were labeled "Medium to Full" in their descriptions without any ill effect at all - I'm not just smoking mild cigars here.

I've been giving it some thought. I generally smoke all my cigars the same way: slow and thoughtful. After all, I only smoke one or two a week usually so I tend to focus when I'm smoking. I smoke a pipe much more often and, except for my first intro to pipes back in college, I've never, ever had a nicotine buzz from pipes. Also I'm careful not to inhale though an occasional partial inhale happens due to laughing, talking, etc, while smoking.

There's another possible factor at play here: I smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for almost 10 years before quitting them cold-turkey in January of 2002. Maybe all those years of nicotine skewed my judgement.

Anyway, what about you guys and gals? Are you super-sensitive and able to judge nicotine levels on a scale of 1 to 10? Are you totally insensitive like me and either don't get any buzz or get slammed? Or are you somewhere in between?

I am curious to see your responses. I'm a bit puzzled about this.

Thanks for reading this post!

stitch · 07-17-2009, 10:35 PM

What's a nicotine Buzz??

bigloo · 07-17-2009, 10:36 PM

I can judge very mild and when it becomes very strong. Everything in between is just groovy.

ucla695 · 07-18-2009, 01:08 PM

Nicotine doesn't really affect me anymore. It just helps me relax. The more nic the cigar has, the more relaxed I get.

The Poet · 07-18-2009, 01:12 PM

I fear my sensitivity varies with the fullness of my belly, and vacillates between 0 and 11 on your scale.

TanithT · 07-18-2009, 01:16 PM

Except under specific circumstances, I don't tend to get much of a nicotine buzz if any, no matter what gets stuck in my hand at herfs where the puffing is nonstop for many hours. Those circumstances are a combination with too much alcohol, caffeine or junk food (my tolerance for all those things is fairly low) or a very empty stomach to the point that I'm already light-headed. In that case, some buzz can kick in, but I am usually aware of it pretty quickly.

Rob's Tat110 that I had a number of puffs on last night did actually hit me noticeably, and I could tell immediately that it was hitting me. But I also hadn't eaten anything since breakfast due to being slammed with website work, so that was definitely a factor. Skipping lunch + smoking a very strong cigar = some buzz.

07-18-2009, 01:22 PM

I know exactly what you have described. It normally happens to me if I keep the cigar in my mouth and it gets really wet. Then the nicotine gets me.

There is one brand that has kicked my butt each time and that's Cu-Avana Impreso. These cigars live up to that name Impreso.

Dan

07-18-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigloo

I can judge very mild and when it becomes very strong. Everything in between is just groovy.

Yup yup!!

I can usually judge very strong by the intensity of my hiccups!!

WyGuy · 07-18-2009, 01:31 PM

I'm also a terrible judge when it comes to determining the nicotine strength of a cigar. I notice it only when it's to late and I'm really feeling it. Luckily that's doesn't happen all that often to me.

07-18-2009, 01:47 PM

I need to always put on my glasses - I meant Cu-Avana Intenso. But I was very Impreso'd.

Dan

14holestogie · 07-18-2009, 01:53 PM

Not a great judge of nic content, but I can tell when it's sneaking up on me.
An hour later, when I finally drop the stick, my intuition proves accurate and my face turns green.

Doctorossi · 07-18-2009, 02:01 PM

A good nicotine whack doesn't often catch me by surprise, but when it does it's usually because I've disrupted my relaxed 'zoning'. If I knock back a spicy double corona over two hours, I may feel it when I stand up and re-circulate the blood. This is in addition to the regular sudden-activity blood-rush effect.

07-18-2009, 02:18 PM

Cant answer the poll for lack of choices, because I never get any hint of a buzz from anything. Perhaps it is because I smoke cigerettes. I can smoke the strongest thing you got on an empty stomach 1st thing in the morning and feel absolutely nothing.

I am wanting to quit smoking cigerettes, so I am sure that once I do I will either start inhaling more of my cigars or start feeling a buzz. I know the "buzz" feeling though....I have quit smoking before.

RGD. · 07-18-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stitch

What's a nicotine Buzz??

Ron

Chris. · 07-18-2009, 04:50 PM

I can have a bad nic reaction after 3 to 4 sticks if I'm not eating tons of junk food/cookies and they are back to back. When I first started smoking cigars, I smoked 3 back to back and puked all over my friends car.

Volt · 07-18-2009, 06:39 PM

Strong nic ciagrs I can tell from the first 3 - 5 puffs. The nic causes the back of my throat to constrict and all gets tight. If I persist, I can get the neausa, sweats, etc. The strong nic cigars provide me with no pleasure at all.

I have had some great tasting sticks I tried to work through but in the end were not worth it due to the discomfort the nic put me into.

TheTraveler · 07-18-2009, 08:18 PM

Thank you all for your responses.

View Poll Results: How good are you at judging nicotine levels?
Can judge nicotine content with great sensitivity.	9	21.43%
Completely unable to judge nicotine levels until it suddenly slams you.	12	28.57%
Somewhere in between.	21	50.00%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

07-17-2009, 10:19 PM	#1
TheTraveler giggity giggitty Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jonathan Location: Near a Walmart Posts: 1,813 Trading: (12)	Are you a good judge of nicotine content? Is it just me? Am I the only one who gets surprised by the nicotine buzz from some cigars? Something must be wrong with my ability to judge how much a cigar is affecting me. I can't tell when I'm getting a nicotine buzz until BLAM I'm pasty white, sweating and nauseous! I've read reviews that said "Cigar X is a little stronger than Cigar Y, and Cigar Z is somewhere in the middle". For me, either a cigar is mild or it kicks my a$$. As a side note, not many cigars (so far, mind you) have given me that nicotine a$$ whipping - though admittedly I've not smoked any notorious nicotine bombs yet. I have smoked cigars that were labeled "Medium to Full" in their descriptions without any ill effect at all - I'm not just smoking mild cigars here. I've been giving it some thought. I generally smoke all my cigars the same way: slow and thoughtful. After all, I only smoke one or two a week usually so I tend to focus when I'm smoking. I smoke a pipe much more often and, except for my first intro to pipes back in college, I've never, ever had a nicotine buzz from pipes. Also I'm careful not to inhale though an occasional partial inhale happens due to laughing, talking, etc, while smoking. There's another possible factor at play here: I smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for almost 10 years before quitting them cold-turkey in January of 2002. Maybe all those years of nicotine skewed my judgement. Anyway, what about you guys and gals? Are you super-sensitive and able to judge nicotine levels on a scale of 1 to 10? Are you totally insensitive like me and either don't get any buzz or get slammed? Or are you somewhere in between? I am curious to see your responses. I'm a bit puzzled about this. Thanks for reading this post! __________________ "My life is my own." Last edited by TheTraveler; 07-17-2009 at 10:24 PM.

07-17-2009, 10:35 PM	#2
stitch Saddle Maker And Cowboy Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Diamond K Ranch Posts: 720 Trading: (34)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? What's a nicotine Buzz?? __________________ Cowboy Wisdom: Ifin' ya get to thinkin yourself a might bit important, Try tellin someone else's dog what to do.

07-17-2009, 10:36 PM	#3
bigloo Crazy like a fox Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Lu Location: Rose City Posts: 905 Trading: (27)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? I can judge very mild and when it becomes very strong. Everything in between is just groovy.

07-18-2009, 01:08 PM	#4
ucla695 Neither here, nor there Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Pool Posts: 3,696 Trading: (5)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? Nicotine doesn't really affect me anymore. It just helps me relax. The more nic the cigar has, the more relaxed I get.

07-18-2009, 01:12 PM	#5
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? I fear my sensitivity varies with the fullness of my belly, and vacillates between 0 and 11 on your scale.

07-18-2009, 01:16 PM	#6
TanithT Herfer Grrrrl Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Tanith Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 692 Trading: (26)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? Except under specific circumstances, I don't tend to get much of a nicotine buzz if any, no matter what gets stuck in my hand at herfs where the puffing is nonstop for many hours. Those circumstances are a combination with too much alcohol, caffeine or junk food (my tolerance for all those things is fairly low) or a very empty stomach to the point that I'm already light-headed. In that case, some buzz can kick in, but I am usually aware of it pretty quickly. Rob's Tat110 that I had a number of puffs on last night did actually hit me noticeably, and I could tell immediately that it was hitting me. But I also hadn't eaten anything since breakfast due to being slammed with website work, so that was definitely a factor. Skipping lunch + smoking a very strong cigar = some buzz. __________________ Herfergrrl's blog - The Art of the Good Cigar: A Matter of Taste. Herfing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

07-18-2009, 01:22 PM	#7
fairwind Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? I know exactly what you have described. It normally happens to me if I keep the cigar in my mouth and it gets really wet. Then the nicotine gets me. There is one brand that has kicked my butt each time and that's Cu-Avana Impreso. These cigars live up to that name Impreso. Dan

07-18-2009, 01:31 PM	#9
WyGuy Boiler Up! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mike Location: MN Posts: 1,359 Trading: (16)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? I'm also a terrible judge when it comes to determining the nicotine strength of a cigar. I notice it only when it's to late and I'm really feeling it. Luckily that's doesn't happen all that often to me.

07-18-2009, 01:47 PM	#10
fairwind Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? I need to always put on my glasses - I meant Cu-Avana Intenso. But I was very Impreso'd. Dan

07-18-2009, 01:53 PM	#11
14holestogie Serial banter killer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tim Location: Clintonville, WI Posts: 4,341 Trading: (52)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? Not a great judge of nic content, but I can tell when it's sneaking up on me. An hour later, when I finally drop the stick, my intuition proves accurate and my face turns green. __________________ *I loves me a Parti*

07-18-2009, 02:01 PM	#12
Doctorossi Have My Own Room Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Burlington, VT Posts: 1,684 Trading: (8)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? A good nicotine whack doesn't often catch me by surprise, but when it does it's usually because I've disrupted my relaxed 'zoning'. If I knock back a spicy double corona over two hours, I may feel it when I stand up and re-circulate the blood. This is in addition to the regular sudden-activity blood-rush effect.

07-18-2009, 02:18 PM	#13
flat6nut Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? Cant answer the poll for lack of choices, because I never get any hint of a buzz from anything. Perhaps it is because I smoke cigerettes. I can smoke the strongest thing you got on an empty stomach 1st thing in the morning and feel absolutely nothing. I am wanting to quit smoking cigerettes, so I am sure that once I do I will either start inhaling more of my cigars or start feeling a buzz. I know the "buzz" feeling though....I have quit smoking before.

07-18-2009, 04:50 PM	#15
Chris. PSHC! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,842 Trading: (25)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? I can have a bad nic reaction after 3 to 4 sticks if I'm not eating tons of junk food/cookies and they are back to back. When I first started smoking cigars, I smoked 3 back to back and puked all over my friends car. __________________

07-18-2009, 06:39 PM	#16
Volt I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,799 Trading: (19)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? Strong nic ciagrs I can tell from the first 3 - 5 puffs. The nic causes the back of my throat to constrict and all gets tight. If I persist, I can get the neausa, sweats, etc. The strong nic cigars provide me with no pleasure at all. I have had some great tasting sticks I tried to work through but in the end were not worth it due to the discomfort the nic put me into. __________________ Curing the infection... One bullet at a time.

07-18-2009, 08:18 PM	#17
TheTraveler giggity giggitty Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jonathan Location: Near a Walmart Posts: 1,813 Trading: (12)	Re: Are you a good judge of nicotine content? Thank you all for your responses. __________________ "My life is my own."