Thread: Bitter Taste

I had the chance to enjoy a Romeo y Julieta after work today. The DC area weather has been crappy and the temp reached into the low 50's. No better time to enjoy the weather, IMO.

I get about half way through started to taste something bitter. Then it got even stronger. Maybe it was just a bad stick; i don't know.

Me being a novice at cigars, I'm wondering has any of the more experienced smoker encountered this before? Now, I've had the cigar in my work bag pocket for a day BUT it was individually wrapped. I don't think that was the difference because it would have been bitter though out the entire time.

Any ideas? Never had that happen before and I want to make sure I didn't do anything wrong to ruin a good cigar.

Your thoughts?

Happens when it burns to hot, usually caused by being to dry.

it could be rolled badly

Sounds under humidified to me... I smoke a CAO the other night that had sat out for a while... tasted TERRIBLE...

from my experience, wrapped cigars do not hold moisture by a greater degree then those that are unwrapped. the same applies to those found in aluminum tubes.

Hey Craig,

I have a few quick questions on your experience? How did you cut the cigar? Was it a clean cut or did you punch or notch the cigar? Next, did the cigar go out at any time and did you have to relight it?

The reason I ask is because the bitterness can be caused from many different things and not just your humidity. In all honesties an over Humidified cigar can be bitter as well as an under humidified cigar.

Now if the cigar was cut clean and not punched or notched then the build up of tar adding the bitterness could be eliminated. But if notched or punched then this could have caused the issue.

Also two more things to think about; did you salivate too much on the nub of the cigar which will in turn catch more tar at the end of the cigar and add bitterness as well. Second did you smoke the cigar at an even pace? You should make sure the cigar burns cool and at a slow and steady pace which is normally about a puff or two a minute. If you smoked it quickly and caused it to burn hotter that could have been the case.

If the cigar goes out and you must relight it is best to purge the cigar afterwards to help with the bitterness. This will help but will not get rid of the bitter taste. Purging is blowing smoke back the opposite way through the cigar.

Now these are just some of the things that could have caused the issue.

Also one more thing; you can keep a cigar in the wrapper or tube for ageing. I have even seen videos by Cigar Aficionado that have them smoking aged cigars that were still in the wrapper for years. They even pointed out in the video how the tar had gathered on the wrapper and it was a good sign of ageing. See link below.

Cigar Aficionado | Video

Originally Posted by JLasher22443

Hey Craig,

I have a few quick questions on your experience? How did you cut the cigar? Was it a clean cut or did you punch or notch the cigar? Next, did the cigar go out at any time and did you have to relight it?

The reason I ask is because the bitterness can be caused from many different things and not just your humidity. In all honesties an over Humidified cigar can be bitter as well as an under humidified cigar.

Now if the cigar was cut clean and not punched or notched then the build up of tar adding the bitterness could be eliminated. But if notched or punched then this could have caused the issue.

Also two more things to think about; did you salivate too much on the nub of the cigar which will in turn catch more tar at the end of the cigar and add bitterness as well. Second did you smoke the cigar at an even pace? You should make sure the cigar burns cool and at a slow and steady pace which is normally about a puff or two a minute. If you smoked it quickly and caused it to burn hotter that could have been the case.

If the cigar goes out and you must relight it is best to purge the cigar afterwards to help with the bitterness. This will help but will not get rid of the bitter taste. Purging is blowing smoke back the opposite way through the cigar.

Now these are just some of the things that could have caused the issue.

Also one more thing; you can keep a cigar in the wrapper or tube for ageing. I have even seen videos by Cigar Aficionado that have them smoking aged cigars that were still in the wrapper for years. They even pointed out in the video how the tar had gathered on the wrapper and it was a good sign of ageing. See link below.

Cigar Aficionado | Video

I always use a v-cut. I use to use the guillotine cut but enjoyed the v-cut first time around. The cigar wasn't re-lit. I enjoyed it from start to the bitter end...no pun intended. I typically don't salivate much so thats not a problem but I don't have a tendency to puff too frequent. Its a habit I'm breaking as we speak. Between that and having it in my work bag for a couple days, I think I figured it out.

I really appreciate the help, Jason!!! We must get together soon for a smoke. I'll give the smoke out another go soon. I'll keep you posted bro!

Those are some good tips lasher!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by CDWall

I always use a v-cut. I use to use the guillotine cut but enjoyed the v-cut first time around. The cigar wasn't re-lit. I enjoyed it from start to the bitter end...no pun intended. I typically don't salivate much so thats not a problem but I don't have a tendency to puff too frequent. Its a habit I'm breaking as we speak. Between that and having it in my work bag for a couple days, I think I figured it out.

I really appreciate the help, Jason!!! We must get together soon for a smoke. I'll give the smoke out another go soon. I'll keep you posted bro!

When ever you are ready Craig I'm ready.

If you really love the V-cut or notch over the straight cut then ok. But if I were you I would do a straight cut which will allow for maximum air flow through the cigar which will give a much better draw and not as much tar back up in the end of the cigar.

If you want give it a try just take two new cigars of the same brand and do a notch in one and a straight cut in the other. Then light and smoke both at the same pace and see if by the middle or towards the end if they taste different. Try to smoke both evenly to taste the difference. I would recommend you do this with a small cigar though so you don't pass out. Maybe a Nub.

Originally Posted by JLasher22443

When ever you are ready Craig I'm ready.

If you really love the V-cut or notch over the straight cut then ok. But if I were you I would do a straight cut which will allow for maximum air flow through the cigar which will give a much better draw and not as much tar back up in the end of the cigar.

If you want give it a try just take two new cigars of the same brand and do a notch in one and a straight cut in the other. Then light and smoke both at the same pace and see if by the middle or towards the end if they taste different. Try to smoke both evenly to taste the difference. I would recommend you do this with a small cigar though so you don't pass out. Maybe a Nub.

I hope he has time on his hands, those Nubs last longer then one would think .