I've seen it suggested that bigger vitolas tend to be more flavorful as size (and especially gauge girth) allow for creative blending. But in my experience, almost the reverse tends to be true, perhaps for the same reason -- more blending yields mellowness and perhaps complexity but not necessarily dramatic flavor. What has been your experience? Is aging a big explainer here? (I also wonder about the size/consistency correlation, but perhaps that's complicating the discussion too much.)
I somewhat agree with your assessment, but there are more than a few exceptions. I think it varies from cigar to cigar. As far as larger cigars go, the Punch DC is a very potent and flavorful, while the HdM DC, to me, tastes like slightly sweetened air.
As far as thinner ones, the Punch SS 1 will blow your head off, but a Fonseca Cosaco is very mellow/mild.
Again, I think it's hard to generalize, although I will say that in thinner RG cigars, the flavors are not always necessarily stronger, but tend to be more concentrated.
Better beautiful than perfect
Posts: 1023 | Location: AZ | Registered: September 11, 2005
I'm generally not a fan of thin cigars because I've always felt that thicker sizes offer greater complexity, but I've always smoked Monte #4, Fonseca No.1 and Partagas Shorts. Recently, I really got to enjoy the Joya de Nicaragua Lancero and the Tatuaje Noealla. I smoked two Padilla Miami 8&11 lanceros last weekend and they were excellent (though, at a 42-ring gauge, more of a lonsdale with a pigtail cap.)
Anyway, I've always felt that corona is the benchmark size for any brand and a good indication of what the rest of the line may offer. And yes, Carld, many times they do offer a more intense flavor experience, if not the same complexity as their thicker brothers, and that may be preferable.
