Harsh start

[Lucky_Hippo]

Directly after lighting, try purging a couple times and see if that helps.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by Lucky_Hippo

Directly after lighting, try purging a couple times and see if that helps.

This is part of the Puisais method. Here is the full write up on it: http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showth...ghlight=pui%2A

I have found using this method has removed a lot of harshness from my cigars.

On another note, if you have been smoking mostly Pepin's lately, then what you are experiencing is the "Pepin Blast". Most all of his personal lines as well as many of his blends for others have what I and many others describe as a spicey blast for the first inch or so of his cigars. I do not find this with many other cigars, but I can almost tell a Pepin blend blindly by this taste/blast. This to me is different than a harsh or charred taste.