Like a Whole New Cigar!!

[Dr. Xikar]

Well, guys... Recently I've been wanting to learn to Retrohale - It's been a painful learning experience, trying to find out the right amount of smoke (around 40-50% of the mouthful), concentration (breathe through the nose relatively slow while pushing the smoke out) and everything else to get flavors, not pain.

Well, Braden (Megladon8) sent me a wonderful batch of sticks that got here on Monday - One of them was an Oliva G Maduro Torpedo - A cigar that I know well.

I'm a big fan of Oliva cigars, with the G being my favorite (until I discovered the V). I had always preferred the Cameroon version for it's relatively more dynamic flavor profile and sweeter notes, stuff like that. However, I now realize that I had never given either cigar a fair chance, a /real/ smoking!

Well, I finally figured out the retrohale today and HOLY COW! It's like an entirely different cigar! I'm still not the best at placing flavors, but I definitely got a richer chocolate than I've ever experienced before, with a nice coffee background! I want to go re-smoke every cigar I've ever liked before with the retrohale added! This was an awesome experience - Braden, thanks for the stick, and the thread that made me want to learn how to retrohale!

Sorry for rambling, just wanted to share!

Best regards,
Jeremy

 

[1camTEG]

Retrohaling makes the experience so much better! Happy you found it!

 

[t_ron99]

Awesome! If you get bored, you can ask Brooks about his retrohale experiences. He really put retrohale in a new perspective @ the last DFW Herf. Ask Charlie or Brian about it.

 

[megladon8]

Totally agree Jeremy!

When I mastered the retrohale I felt like I entered a whole new Flavour Country, and my oh my is it a big country!!

Some of my favorite cigars are connecticut wrapped mild-to-medium cigars now, because they often have this INCREDIBLE flavour of vanilla in the retrohale.

 

[Dr. Xikar]

Some of my favorite cigars are connecticut wrapped mild-to-medium cigars now, because they often have this INCREDIBLE flavour of vanilla in the retrohale.

Good thing I haven't touched that MOW Virtue Torpedo yet! Can't wait to give 'er a go!

 

[blessednxs65]

Retrohaling to me is the only way to truly enjoy a stick.

Welcome to the other side...

 

[ChazHollywood]

Am I the only one that can't get the hang of this, anatomically?

-Charles

 

[megladon8]

Am I the only one that can't get the hang of this, anatomically?

-Charles

I still choke once in a while.

I hear it's much, much easier if you are/were a cigarette smoker. Then it kind of comes naturally.

I honestly find cigarettes pretty gross. I never smoked them. So it's really not a natural feeling for me.

If you can't/don't want to/feel gross doing it, then don't! If you're enjoying your cigar, that's what matters.

 

[danthebugman]

I hear it's much, much easier if you are/were a cigarette smoker. Then it kind of comes naturally.

Being a former cigarette smoker I can say it does become second nature after a bit. One thing that helps when you're leaning is to practice with milder cigars.

Dan

 

[the_fridge]

I'm a noob and have no idea what everyone is talking about... what am I missing?

 

[ciggy]

Am I the only one that can't get the hang of this, anatomically?

-Charles

My sinuses are to sensitive!
I just smoke the damn things...and smoke what I like! :glassesgr

 

[c1ark]

Fridge ... check this video out

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMcDOSypco8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMcDOSypco8[/ame]

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

I love the "nose tingle" I get from retrohaling most of Pepin's sticks!

 

[issues]

I love the "nose tingle" I get from retrohaling most of Pepin's sticks!

The first cigar I ever retrohaled was a Pepin stick, man did it burn! I pushed the entire puff through my nose and my eyes were watering badly...

After the pain subsided I learned quite quickly that not only do you get a better feel for the flavors of a cigar, it also gives you a bigger nicotine hit. I can't imagine smoking a cigar any other way now.

 

[GoingPostal]

Am I the only one that can't get the hang of this, anatomically?

-Charles

No it's tough for a lot of people to learn. I don't do it anymore cause it almost guarantees me a sinus infection. The video matt posted basically explains it. Biggest problem most have learning is that they may inhale some of the smoke. Practice, Practice, just tougher for some than others. Hey if your feeling brave you can practice by putting some water in your mouth and trying to breathe it out your nose, it feels funky but if you can get that down retrohale becomes no problem

 

[megladon8]

I find retrohaling is something that you cannot learn by having people explain it to you.

The concept can be explained through videos or even in-person, but it's something you have to discover how to do yourself.

It's a very strange, kind of unnatural sensation the first few times.

But it's also like riding a bike - once you're able to do it, there's really no problem other than a stick maybe being too spicy, or trying to blow too much smoke out of your nose which can be a little painful.

 

[Cornrow_Wallis]

If anyone is still trying to learn how to retrohale, what really helped me learn is to put your tongue on the roof of your mouth and tilt your head back a little.

 

[38-50]

Taking a really small puff or sipping the cigar helps to avoid the burn for someone new to retrohaling. Very mild well and or well aged cigars are a good place to start.

 

[megladon8]

I'll echo that smoking one of your favorite Connecticuts is the best way to go when you're just learning.

Not only is it easier on the nasal cavity to a newbie, but since Connecticuts tend to be on the milder side, it'll make it easier for you to pick up the layers that you've missed out on with standard exhales.

Again, I strongly recommend the Man o' War Virtue for this.

 

[sultan]

It took me a few weeks of cigars to get used to it. At first, it would just burn but now the flavors of all of my cigars are so much deeper and more defined.