Stogie Commentary: Sorry, I’m No Good with Names
26 Sep 2006
How many times have you purchased a sampling of random cigars at your local tobacconist, brought them home, and then realized – aside from the company name on each band – you have no idea what the exact names are of the assorted sticks you just bought? If you’re anything like me, this is a weekly experience.
Since each cigar manufacturer has various lines, shapes, sizes, and wrappers, and since the exact name of each individual stogie is rarely printed on its label, knowing what you’re smoking can be very difficult. For example, without its close cousin side by side for comparison, it’s hard to tell a Punch Chateau L Maduro from a Punch Chateau L Oscuro – even for a seasoned cigar veteran.
And, as far as size is concerned, who can tell a 4 and ½ inches by 48 ring gauge cigar from a 5 inches by 50 ring gauge cigar without a ruler? It’s true that one manufacturer’s Robusto and Torpedo is another’s Bully and Pyramid, but these inconsistencies make the process of discovering what you’re smoking even more trying.
That’s why I’m calling on cigar producers to start printing the exact and complete name of each cigar they manufacture on each band. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not advocating an industry-wide regulatory board. And you know I’d never ask for evil government intervention (I’ve had it up to here with their idiotic smoking bans). I’m simply asking private companies to make the decision to print cigar names on their labels so, when I find something I like (as I often do), I know exactly what box to buy.
Why care precisely which make and model you’re sucking down, you ask? For one, there are just so many cigars out there. Also, despite the fact that most manufacturers use the same types of tobaccos for the various sizes of one line, different stogie shapes produce different flavors due to the varying proportions of each leaf used. With fat ring-gauged cigars, the filler has a greater influence over taste than the wrapper, for instance.
Variety is the spice of life, and I’m the first person to appreciate free and diverse choice. As it says in my bio, I count myself lucky that cigars come in a plethora of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. And I love the fact that different producers keep coming out with new and creative names for their models. I just wish I could more easily identify individual sticks without Google and a ruler.
Excellent idea! Some cigar aficionados may have an encyclopedia in their heads, but us regular folk need brain cells for other things. Great article.
I have been wanting this since I started smoking. I buy so many different cigars, I can't really keep track. It would be so easy just to print the info on the edge of the band or underneath so you can't see it until you remove it.
Two cheers for you!
I found that keeping that info in a spread sheet is handy, especially when I am looking for a cigar that I have had buried in my humidor. But that is only half the battle, the other piece is using some color coding labels to add some short-hand notes and stick it to the cello wrapper. My B&M puts the price tag on every stick, so I am just coving up their sticker. Now those very similar looking cigars can track over to a more detailed line in your sheet, or if you write small enough you can list it all on the new label.
I don't know if I am obsessive compulsive or not but since my memory fades faster and faster it sure does help identify what I bought and stashed away.