Tuesday, May 17 2011
Q:Â I live in SE Pennsylvania, and as you know, the humidity in the summer can be very high. When smoking outdoors in the high humidity, is it possible for the extra moisture in the air to "dilute" the flavors of a cigar? I know I have a hard time keeping them lit in with the higher RH, but I also notice the "flavors" of familiar
cigars just don't seem to be there lately. Thanks and keep up the great work!
- CJ from Yardley, PA
A:Â Interesting question. As far as I know, the flavors in cigar tobaccos cannot be "diluted" or weakened in the usual sense of the word due to high humidity. However, as you noted, the cigars will become more moist, which is why you have a harder time lighting them. You may have also noticed that when you smoke a cigar outside, the aroma
tends to take on a more floral character. This may also be why the
flavors taste different to you, since the nose has a big effect on how
flavors are perceived. But they ought not taste weaker, either.
Additionally, when you relight it could be that not all of the leaves are burning together, so you may not be getting the full effect of all the flavors. Think about when you've lit a cigar and only half the
foot ignited. The cigar does not taste the same. Come to think of it, if you're relighting often in humid weather, eventually the flavors will start to taste bitter and stronger.
When you have a moment, just for fun with a cigar you can afford to spare, remove about an inch or so of
wrapper leaf and smoke only the filler and
binder. You'll notice an immediate difference in flavor; then see what happens when you reach the remaining wrapper leaf.
