Certifried
New Member
- Joined
- May 6, 2004
- Messages
- 55
...there was a cigar newbie that fell in love. Here is my story.
Having enjoyed cigars for a few years I finally decided it was time to "get serious". Recently out of the Army after 10 years and finally making a fat paycheck I found myself wanting for a hobby to enjoy. Something to add to my "culture" so I had a little more sophistication about myself. I visited the local cigar shops and picked up a few cigars, thinking price meant quality. I also picked up a copy of the recent Cigar Aficionado and discovered their rating system. Visiting their website, I picked some cigars that interested me from the top of the list (non-cuban of course
). I'd like to share my experience today with you in hopes that it will help some of you to wax nostalgic about your "first time" with a REAL cigar.
The cigar: Te-Amo Aniversario Toro Maduro. It's rated in the 90's which I figure must be good and it was the first one from that list I could get hold of. I made myself a short list of ones that looked interesting to me. This was the one I could find and get the quickest.
The day: the most beautiful spring day in the Baltimore area this year. mid-70s and a very gentle breeze. A chair on my front porch on a quiet street with the trees gently swaying. Coincidence or providence?
The drink: Macallan 12 year old scotch. Again, happened upon this by luck researching "proper" drinks to go with my new found hobby.
I could tell from the start that this wasn't going to be like any swisher sweet smoking I'd ever had. The cigar was dark, and I finally understood what was meant by oily. The stick, as it seems I should call it, had a distinct feel to it. Oh, the excitement was building! With drink in hand and the unlit stick, I sat down on the porch. My trusty Harley Davidson zippo flared to life and the stick was put in my mouth. Wow! It wasn't even lit yet and I could taste how magnificent it was. A few puffs and a check to make sure it was evenly lit I settled into my chair.
Puff.....Puff....
Cool, smooth smoke filled my senses. I was completely overwhelmed. The ratings had said "black cherry, toast, nut and vanilla flavors". I couldn't make a single flavor out at all. It was apparent early on that my palate was neither refined nor complex enough to handle the overload. Ooooh this was good!
I took another deep draw, purposefully making the smoke drag across my tongue in a desperate attempt to discern a single flavor. Not a chance, this stick was far too advanced for me to even attempt an analysis on. I decided to just enjoy, letting my senses relax and just enjoy the ride. That ride hit me fast and hard. The "buzz" hit me like a ton of cotton. Why cotton? It was far too pleasant to be called bricks, I know you thought I was going to say that. No, this wasn't your cheap swisher sweet or marlboro buzz, this was something I still can't explain. Relaxing. Soothing. Euphoric.
It was time to take a sip of the Macallan. I was already 1/3 of the way through the bottle and hadn't much enjoyed it (please put the bats down and read on). I sipped and once again was overwhelmed. It was smooth, sweet and didn't sting my nose as it had in the past. Whoah! Can a cigar make that much of a difference?? I lost track of all time and got lost in the sensory overload I was experiencing.
Puff....Puff....sip....sip...
The experience was unlike any other I've had. I don't know how long it too me to drink the Macallan and smoke the Te-Amo but I enjoyed every minute (hour?) of it. The aftertastes still fill my senses and I'm not sure I'll brush my teeth tonight (ok ok, I will, promise). That was truly an experience that I'll never forget. My first quality stick.
cheers!
Having enjoyed cigars for a few years I finally decided it was time to "get serious". Recently out of the Army after 10 years and finally making a fat paycheck I found myself wanting for a hobby to enjoy. Something to add to my "culture" so I had a little more sophistication about myself. I visited the local cigar shops and picked up a few cigars, thinking price meant quality. I also picked up a copy of the recent Cigar Aficionado and discovered their rating system. Visiting their website, I picked some cigars that interested me from the top of the list (non-cuban of course
). I'd like to share my experience today with you in hopes that it will help some of you to wax nostalgic about your "first time" with a REAL cigar.The cigar: Te-Amo Aniversario Toro Maduro. It's rated in the 90's which I figure must be good and it was the first one from that list I could get hold of. I made myself a short list of ones that looked interesting to me. This was the one I could find and get the quickest.
The day: the most beautiful spring day in the Baltimore area this year. mid-70s and a very gentle breeze. A chair on my front porch on a quiet street with the trees gently swaying. Coincidence or providence?
The drink: Macallan 12 year old scotch. Again, happened upon this by luck researching "proper" drinks to go with my new found hobby.
I could tell from the start that this wasn't going to be like any swisher sweet smoking I'd ever had. The cigar was dark, and I finally understood what was meant by oily. The stick, as it seems I should call it, had a distinct feel to it. Oh, the excitement was building! With drink in hand and the unlit stick, I sat down on the porch. My trusty Harley Davidson zippo flared to life and the stick was put in my mouth. Wow! It wasn't even lit yet and I could taste how magnificent it was. A few puffs and a check to make sure it was evenly lit I settled into my chair.
Puff.....Puff....
Cool, smooth smoke filled my senses. I was completely overwhelmed. The ratings had said "black cherry, toast, nut and vanilla flavors". I couldn't make a single flavor out at all. It was apparent early on that my palate was neither refined nor complex enough to handle the overload. Ooooh this was good!
I took another deep draw, purposefully making the smoke drag across my tongue in a desperate attempt to discern a single flavor. Not a chance, this stick was far too advanced for me to even attempt an analysis on. I decided to just enjoy, letting my senses relax and just enjoy the ride. That ride hit me fast and hard. The "buzz" hit me like a ton of cotton. Why cotton? It was far too pleasant to be called bricks, I know you thought I was going to say that. No, this wasn't your cheap swisher sweet or marlboro buzz, this was something I still can't explain. Relaxing. Soothing. Euphoric.
It was time to take a sip of the Macallan. I was already 1/3 of the way through the bottle and hadn't much enjoyed it (please put the bats down and read on). I sipped and once again was overwhelmed. It was smooth, sweet and didn't sting my nose as it had in the past. Whoah! Can a cigar make that much of a difference?? I lost track of all time and got lost in the sensory overload I was experiencing.
Puff....Puff....sip....sip...
The experience was unlike any other I've had. I don't know how long it too me to drink the Macallan and smoke the Te-Amo but I enjoyed every minute (hour?) of it. The aftertastes still fill my senses and I'm not sure I'll brush my teeth tonight (ok ok, I will, promise). That was truly an experience that I'll never forget. My first quality stick.
cheers!
