While your personal preferences are an essential criterion when choosing a cigar, environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity also play a fundamental role in the tasting experience. These factors can influence the way your cigars burn, as well as the way you perceive their aromas. To get the most out of your cigar tasting experience, it's important to take seasonal variations into account and adapt your cigar selection accordingly.
The impact of the seasons on the tasting experience
Combustion
Tobacco leaves are made of natural fibers that are sensitive to ambient humidity. A precise hygrometric balancebetween 65% and 72%, is essential to preserve their quality.
In too dry an environment, leaves dry out and become brittle, speeding up combustion. Conversely, a climate that is too humid causes leaves to swell, making draft difficult and combustion irregular.
Aroma perception
Variations in temperature and humidity significantly influence the perception of a cigar's aromas and flavors during tasting. High temperatures (>22°C) can accelerate evaporation of aromatic compoundsThis makes the flavors more intense, sometimes even aggressive. Conversely, low temperatures (<18°C) can slow down evaporationwhich attenuates aromas and makes flavors less expressive.
What's more, humidity levels that are too low or too high can alter the cigar's texture, affecting the release and diffusion of aromas on the palate. Optimum humidity is therefore essential to preserve the essential oils and sugars responsible for the flavors.
Adapting your cigar selection to the seasons
Which cigars to choose in winter?
In winter, we recommend that you use full-bodied, complex cigars to counteract the attenuation of aromas due to cold.
General recommendations :
- Full-bodied cigars.
- Flavor profiles: chocolate, coffee, spices, earth, leather.
- Carefully aged cigars.
- If you smoke outdoors, opt for short formats to reduce exposure time to the cold. Protect your cigar from the wind to avoid irregular combustion.
Cigar suggestions :
- Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Consul : This Nicaraguan cigar reveals an intense, nuanced flavor profile, with notes of spice and earth.
- Cohiba Robusto : This emblematic habano delivers powerful aromas of spice, earth and subtly aged tobacco, awakening the senses without ever overwhelming them.
- Liga Privada No. 9 : This Honduran cigar offers complex, intense flavors, with notes of leather, spices and cocoa.
Which cigars to choose in spring?
Spring is synonymous with rebirth, with gradually rising temperatures and nature on the rise. It's the ideal time to opt for cigars with subtle, elegant flavorsquilibrsreflecting this atmosphere of renewal.
General recommendations :
- Medium-strength cigars.
- Flavor profiles: floral, herbaceous, light woody notes and mild spices.
Cigar suggestions :
- Hoyo De Monterrey Epicure No. 2 : This Cuban Robusto unveils a symphony of delicate, complex flavors, where notes of cedar, spice and pepper blend harmoniously with hints of citrus, flowers and dried fruit.
- Fuente Fuente Opus X Angel's Share PerfecXion X : This Dominican cigar offers a powerful, complex tasting, with notes of blue tea, earth, ginger and bitter orange.
- Davidoff Signature 2000 A subtle blend of sweetness and character, this Dominican cigar combines refined aromas of roasted coffee, precious woods and white pepper, sublimated by a touch of creaminess.
Which cigars to choose in summer?
Summer is the season of warm days and balmy evenings, ideal for outdoor tastings. It's the perfect time to opt for lighter, more refreshing cigars to compensate for the effects of heat.
General recommendations :
- Light to medium cigars.
- Medium or long formats.
- Flavor profiles: woody, herbaceous, citrus and vanilla notes.
- If you smoke outdoors, protect your cigars from direct sunlight to avoid drying out.
Cigar suggestions :
- Flor de Selva Petit Corona Made in Honduras, this cigar presents a profile of great finesse, where floral and herbaceous notes meet delicate nuances of earth, wood and leather.
- Davidoff Signature No. 2 Medium-bodied, this blend offers singular flavors of barley, toasted wheat, oak and dried fruit, sublimated by unctuous notes of brown sugar and floral spices..
- Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente King T A medium-bodied Dominican cigar with a toasty character and lively notes of orange peel, walnut and cinnamon.
Which cigars to choose in autumn?
Autumn, with its cooler temperatures and muted ambience, invites enthusiasts to explore richer, more complex flavours. It's the ideal season to turn to cigars of medium to strong strength, with robust formats and deep, comforting aromas.
General recommendations :
- Medium to strong cigars.
- Formats: Robusto, Churchill, Toro.
- Flavor profile: Complex, persistent aromas. Spicy, earthy, woody, toasty and dried fruit notes.
Cigar suggestions :
- Flor de las Antillas Toro Rich in nuances, this Nicaraguan cigar presents comforting aromas of cocoa and nutmeg, enhanced by subtle hints of pepper.
- La Flor Dominicana Ligero Cabinet Oscuro Natural L-500 This cigar, full of character, brilliantly balances notes of cocoa and coffee with nuances of leather and black pepper.
- Oliva Serie V Melanio Robusto : This full-bodied cigar presents rich pepper and leather flavors, sublimated by a caramelized sweetness.
Conclusion
Adapting your cigar selection to the season ensures optimal tasting, with every nuance of the tobacco expressed with precision. Beyond taste, this approach allows you to fully immerse yourself in the special atmosphere of each season. Keep in mind that the pleasure of cigars lies as much in the exploration as in the tasting itself. Whether you're facing a harsh winter or a scorching summer, there's always a cigar perfectly suited to enhance your moment of relaxation and pleasure.
