Vitolas

[Niela]

Recently I had a few cigars of which I owned a few different sizes and I noticed, like never before, how different the same blend of tobacco can taste, depending on the format of the cigar. Generally I tend to like larger cigars more than smaller ones. But I noticed that not every blend works with every size and the flavour differences are quite pronounced.

I didn't expect the difference to be that strong to be honest and I think in future, when trying a new cigar, I will order multiple sizes and try to find the one that I like most before I commit to a box. What's your approach. Do you rather look for the size you tend to like or do you go for the size that fits the blend best? Or don't you see much difference in flavour?

[PeeJay]

Well spotted, I have one blend in five different vitolas and it works best in a robusto hence I've just laid down a box of them.

[Niela]

Well spotted, I have one blend in five different vitolas and it works best in a robusto hence I've just laid down a box of them.

Also makes me wonder about why some producers create a blend with sooo many different vitolas. IMO a good blender identifies a couple of sizes that work well with that blend and then reduces the options to those couple of sizes. I am starting to think that a reduced portfolio of vitolas for a blend is a sign of a company putting quality over marketing/business.

[Simon Bolivar]

Exactly why I don't think large RG formats suit LGC i.e. ER's.

[grumpybaldy]

Also makes me wonder about why some producers create a blend with sooo many different vitolas. IMO a good blender identifies a couple of sizes that work well with that blend and then reduces the options to those couple of sizes. I am starting to think that a reduced portfolio of vitolas for a blend is a sign of a company putting quality over marketing/business.

Name and shame! Seriously, I'm interested to hear examples. The sort of discussion where pooled experience would be useful.

[Niela]

Name and shame! Seriously, I'm interested to hear examples. The sort of discussion where pooled experience would be useful.

Most recently I had the experience of the LaAurora 115 Toro. I bought a couple and was blown away by the citrus notes in this cigar. Perfect harmony and a flavour I never had in any other cigar. Bought a box instantly and then ordered a second box soon after. The second box was a Grand Toro by mistake though. I first though, great, more cigar for the same money. But the Grand Toro doesn't have that intense citrus flavour as the Toro has. It's still bloody delicous, but almost a completely different cigar.

https://www.laaurora.com.do/producto/115-anniversary/?lang=en

The Dalay Affentanz as an other example is a very small production. They made two versions, one with a dark and one with a conneticut wrapper. They only came in one format, a Belicoso. The conneticut wrapper though was about 3mm shorter than the dark one. I asked why that was and the answer was, they tried the blend and different formats and the conneticut just tasted better when slightly shorter. Both were fantastic cigars, but I loved how they looked at which format works best with that tobacco and then made just that one. Well, they only made like 200 or 300 boxes anyway.

[grumpybaldy]

It is a amazing how things change on such fine calculations.

[Niela]

Another thought, limitadas come in just one format usually and I think we all agree that they're usually outstanding cigars, could that be down to the blender finding the best Format?

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