Egomaniac Cigar Bloggers?

[strife]

"Do some cigar bloggers have big egos?

Heh, half of this brotherhood has big egos! :hysterica

 

[gentimmy]

I've found it really easy to avoid conflict brought on by bloggers by....not reading blogs.

There are some non-biased and very intelligent members here at BOTL that I look to for ideas on what to try next and what to look for in a cigar. (I will not post names incase it inflates their ego and they decide to blog)

 

[axi]

Some type of legitimate training (i.e. perfumery, sommelier training, etc.), also helps... there are guys who got there through extensive experience in wine/beer/etc., but I'm not sure how many 40 yo bloggers with a 20 yo reviewing history there are...

As far as I can tell, having a command of sensory distinction isn't something you just make up... there is a legitimate skill there. Without the development of that skill, a person is simply an enthusiast, not an authority.

I work with a perfumer that also happens to be a big cigar smoker. I sent him the link to the about.com article and asked him to comment on what his take was on cigar flavors in relation to the article (I specifically mentioned things like candied ginger, nougat, other notes that ive read in some reviews). Response below from a perfumer of 25+ years....


Quite honestly, I really don’t get all the fragrance notes they talk about when describing a cigar. Different then wine, where there is some correlation with olfactive descriptions but much is made for the sheer marketing of the product. I’ve smell notes of honey and sweet maple tones. Maybe some woods notes and possibly fruity overtures. You’re burning a tobacco leaf, there’s not THAT much going on.

Years ago wine was described very simply. It’s acidic, its sweet, etc. Then someone got the bright idea to appeal to the olfactive pallet. Then they started treating wine like a fine fragrance or a candle. Granted, there are a number of olfactive accords considering it comes from a grape and its mature in oak casks for one to make the association with scent. Cigars, it’s a stretch to wax olfactively the fine scented notes to convey it’s something more than burning tobacco leaf. I smoke because I like the draw, the taste and the ambiance it creates. Hope this helps.

 

[orangedog]

I work with a perfumer that also happens to be a big cigar smoker. I sent him the link to the about.com article and asked him to comment on what his take was on cigar flavors in relation to the article (I specifically mentioned things like candied ginger, nougat, other notes that ive read in some reviews). Response below from a perfumer of 25+ years....


Quite honestly, I really don’t get all the fragrance notes they talk about when describing a cigar. Different then wine, where there is some correlation with olfactive descriptions but much is made for the sheer marketing of the product. I’ve smell notes of honey and sweet maple tones. Maybe some woods notes and possibly fruity overtures. You’re burning a tobacco leaf, there’s not THAT much going on.

Years ago wine was described very simply. It’s acidic, its sweet, etc. Then someone got the bright idea to appeal to the olfactive pallet. Then they started treating wine like a fine fragrance or a candle. Granted, there are a number of olfactive accords considering it comes from a grape and its mature in oak casks for one to make the association with scent. Cigars, it’s a stretch to wax olfactively the fine scented notes to convey it’s something more than burning tobacco leaf. I smoke because I like the draw, the taste and the ambiance it creates. Hope this helps.

Very interesting - glad you posted. Would be really interested to see a couple of reviews from this person, if they could be so encouraged.

 

[smelvis]

I'm sorry I posted something that would cause hard feelings so I deleted it. Again sorry!

 

[njstone]

I understand what your perfumer friend is saying, and I do think that many people stretch some of the "notes" sometimes, though it's also rather subjective. You can only describe flavors and fragrances which you are familiar with. And of course, some people have better pallates, and more developed ones. I know some guys who don't get any "flavors" from cigars, but I often get a lots. When speaking of olfactory notes (and some flavors), most of that is through the retrohale so if you don't do that you won't pick those up.

I think the comparison to wine is the best one, and tobacco can have as much nuance and variation as wine can (even if they are just grapes).

As far as marketing--I totally agree. Copywriters embellish for a living, it's true for any product really. Of course the people selling the cigars will say they're all awesome, they make thier living by selling them. This is all far afield from the blogosphere, though.

 

[njstone]

I understand if you don't review those cigars, after you have begun repping them.

But still seems a conflict of interest, somehow, that you are a cigar rep, and a blogger/reviewer. As a rep, you would want to promote those cigars. BUT, as a blogger/reviewer, you are going to be talking about some cigars that you may recommend.

Just odd... Sorry. :dunno:

I hear what you're saying, but no there is technically no conflict of interest there.

For example, a financial adviser with a TV show can't even discuss a company he/she owns stock in without stating that fact. But they can still recommend (or advise against) other stocks.

Especially if your talking tiny boutique brands, I don't see it as an issue at all. If he's a regional rep for Altadis or something, different story.

 

[Jfire]

I work with a perfumer that also happens to be a big cigar smoker. I sent him the link to the about.com article and asked him to comment on what his take was on cigar flavors in relation to the article (I specifically mentioned things like candied ginger, nougat, other notes that ive read in some reviews). Response below from a perfumer of 25+ years....


Quite honestly, I really don’t get all the fragrance notes they talk about when describing a cigar. Different then wine, where there is some correlation with olfactive descriptions but much is made for the sheer marketing of the product. I’ve smell notes of honey and sweet maple tones. Maybe some woods notes and possibly fruity overtures. You’re burning a tobacco leaf, there’s not THAT much going on.

Years ago wine was described very simply. It’s acidic, its sweet, etc. Then someone got the bright idea to appeal to the olfactive pallet. Then they started treating wine like a fine fragrance or a candle. Granted, there are a number of olfactive accords considering it comes from a grape and its mature in oak casks for one to make the association with scent. Cigars, it’s a stretch to wax olfactively the fine scented notes to convey it’s something more than burning tobacco leaf. I smoke because I like the draw, the taste and the ambiance it creates. Hope this helps.

To each there own I guess. But I can tell you the 3 plus years I've been here, after reviewing quite a few cigars, my palate has increased ten fold. Also remember it's not always what the smoker is tasting but what they most associate it to. Most people don't chew on a leather glove or belt. It's more of a mouth feel. But I can tell you I've tasted citrus in a cigar whether your friend tells you I can or can not taste it. Also Coffee, nuts, honey, hay, grass, cocoa, etc.

 

[amsgpwarrior]

To each there own I guess. But I can tell you the 3 plus years I've been here, after reviewing quite a few cigars, my palate has increased ten fold. Also remember it's not always what the smoker is tasting but what they most associate it to. Most people don't chew on a leather glove or belt. It's more of a mouth feel. But I can tell you I've tasted citrus in a cigar whether your friend tells you I can or can not taste it. Also Coffee, nuts, honey, hay, grass, cocoa, etc.

I agree. Associations are the key. The more you experience sensory wise, the better you are at connecting "like" sensations. I know what I taste and sense in a cigar and I feel free to express that, maybe if no one else detects what I experienced. I love reading reviews no matter what media they use; and I could care less when're it is a amateur smoker or an experienced one. O just want to know what people's thoughts are on a particular stick.

Like in the wine world, many peolple find a reviewer they have similar palates with and follow them. I follow Parker when it comes to American wines and I give more weight to Allen Meadows when it comes to French wines as I do Antonio Galloni with italians. I like reading Brooks' blog when it comes to smoking NC's and may read a vast number of blogs to get the views on Cc's.

Gives me something to read while I am on the crapper!

 

[blues]

I wish all bloggers would die.

 

[jayro75]

I wish all bloggers would die.

They may feel the same way about you!!!

 

[Herfin' Harg]

I wish all bloggers would die.

Lol! It was great to get to the end of this long-ass thread and find this degree of enlightenment. :kissforeh