Tasting Event

[bnelly]

I'm arranging a small tasting for a group of mates on Saturday, as part of a larger Poker/Whisky Tasting event. Want to offer three different sticks. Some people are
*very* keen and so I want to do a good job, but not going to be passing around Behikes 'cos some people won't last the distance :-) I feel I should:

1) Offer Cuban cigars only. Mainly because I have so few non-cubans.
2) Give them three very different vitolas
3) Keep away from anything too strong or too huge.

Candidates so far include:

Stick 1 : ERDM Demi Tasse (with champagne) / Siglo I /

Stick 2 : PLPC / Cuaba Divinos

Stick 3 : Boli BF (too strong?) / Trini Robusto Extra


Anyone else done something similar, anything better in your opinion

[Styler]

Are these people who have smoked cigars before, only smoke cigarettes before or complete smoking novices?

I ask because the Demi Tasse, being a thin cigar, requires you to go easy on it so as to not overheat it. The Cuaba might not be a good idea either as they can have construction issues that would put a first time smoker off. If your 3 sticks are going up in size then I'd go for something like the below

Stick 1: SC El Principe/Trini Reyes

Stick 2: Petit Edmundo/RASS

Stick 3: Diplomaticos #2/Partagas P2

[bnelly]

Mixture of types - some completely non-smokers, some cigarette smokers etc.

Considered the P2, but think it's too much for a novice as part of the 3 stick set ?
Find the PEs extremely variable so wouldn't go that route myself.
Good shout on the RASS and especially the Reyes ...
Understand the Cuaba concerns, but have a box that I trust :-)

[Styler]

Mixture of types - some completely non-smokers, some cigarette smokers etc.

Considered the P2, but think it's too much for a novice as part of the 3 stick set ?
Find the PEs extremely variable so wouldn't go that route myself.
Good shout on the RASS and especially the Reyes ...
Understand the Cuaba concerns, but have a box that I trust :-)

From my experience the BBF packs more of a punch than the Party P2. I'm a big diplomaticos fan and they deliver flavour without a huge nicotine kick so the #2 would get my vote.

The RASS is one of my "go to" sticks, always great for me and if I had to pick one cuban to give to a first time smoker it would probably be the Reyes. I think Monties in general are variable, I believe it's blamed on overproduction.

Congratualtions on the good Cuaba box, what's the code? I've tried several of the line and most have been unsmokable

[monkey66]

Sounds like fun but I cant help thinking 3 sticks will slay non-regular cigar smokers. I would suggest have 3 ready but be prepared to quit at two. Your selection all look good to me but I find it hard to imagine a non-seasoned cigar smoker managing another after a RASS.

Probably worth guiding those cigarette smokers to make sure they are not inhaling or they will have a rough time.

Do let us know how it goes.

[bigbarneyhotdog]

2 X Salamones each, at the same time and making comparisons. It's the only way! or there's the trusty ol' Cluebras

[bnelly]

Was an interesting experiment. Not sure I'd do it again with such big sticks ?

Only got a few Culebras left, so that's a non-starter :-)

[Cigar-aficionado]

Are you having much in between to clean the palate etc? Also wonder if you should ensure they either have full stomachs or have food available as 3 good smokes on an empty stomach may be too much

[bnelly]

Good food available - I'd like to use tea to clean the palate, but reckon I've got no chance

[Cigar-aficionado]

Sounds like a really good event mate

[bigbarneyhotdog]

sorbet, best pallete cleanser ever!

[bnelly]

So, following some of the advice on here, I went with :

Stick 1 : ERDM Demi Tasse (with champagne)
Stick 2 : Trini Reyes
Stick 3 : RASS

Some even went with a fourth stick (some Boli BF, some P2!)

Much more interesting though was the spirit tasting. My mate bought along :

Buffalo Trace (Bourbon)
Evan Williams 2000 Single Barrel (Bourbon)
Single Cask: 37 yr old single Grain from the North of Scotland Distillery
Ron Millonario, Solera 15 Reserva Especial
Astar 100 proof Glenmorangie
Glenronach "Revival" 15 yr old
Aberlour OB 10 yr old
Talisker NAS
Laphroaig 10 yr old
1993/2009 DE OB Lagavulin

missing a couple, we had twelve in total.

Briliant evening, changed a couple of peoples lives :-)

[HabanoSy]

So what was the general consensus...!?!

Any particular drink go better with a cigar...!?!

Or were you all to whammed to really tell...!?!

Cheers, HabanoSy

[bnelly]

Not too whammed, surprisingly, only had a nip of each. Two of the people there
had never really enjoyed cigars or spirits before and are now total converts !

Fantastic experience, spirit tasting mate did a proper job of leading us through
a "journey" from the sweeter/sherried stuff onto the slightly more challenging
stuff. My tastes are still towards the sweeter end - the bourbons & especially the
Rum above which is cheaper than Zacapa, but just as nice for me

cigars went down well, but I think flavours there are more subtle for a beginner
and easily drowned out by the spirits - will do it again sometime with cigars
only maybe.

[Bigboned]

loving the idea of this - how many of you were there? might make a nice start to a more reserved stag weekend?! ( just getting ideas)