Are Dutch Masters The Perfect Cigars?
Is there such a thing as a perfect cigar? This is a question that's been debated for hundreds of years, but even now, well into the twenty-first century, there's no definitive answer. Or rather, there are hundreds of "definitive" answers, because virtually every cigar smoker has his or her own idea of what constitutes perfection. Discussions along these lines tend to include prolific use of phrases like "patiently hand made, " "peak of flavor, " "intoxicating aroma, " "deftly hand rolled" and "creamy smoke." Very descriptive, but how on Earth does one quantify these words and come out with a definition of "perfect?"
All arguments aside, it is possible to at least spike out some of the key variables that most aficionados would agree contribute toward distinguishing a mediocre cigar from an excellent one. With these basics to fall back on, someone new to the world of cigars might not be able to settle the age-old argument of perfection, but at least they would stand a decent chance of buying a good cigar instead of wasting their money.
Construction:
There's an art to rolling a cigar properly and not everyone knows it. A cigar that's been overfilled is difficult to smoke, and easily goes out. If it's under filled, the cigar burns too quickly and produces hot, harsh smoke. The perfectly rolled cigar burns evenly all the way down and is neither too hard nor too spongy to the feel. The wrapper should be blemish free and above all, it should not be dry or showing signs of unraveling. In addition, a sloppy appearing cigar is a good indicator of poor craftsmanship.
Consistency:
This is a frequently overlooked factor, but really it is quite important. If a cigar producer cannot achieve consistency in their product, the consumer is left wondering from year to year whether the box they buy will be a good batch, or one of those unfortunate "off" batches. A good producer sources their tobacco from the same quality suppliers every year and keeps a stockpile to cover any poor crops, so there is little variation in the raw material; workers are well-trained and kept on as craftsmen. As a result, a cigar produced by this company is almost always good.
Tobacco:
It should go without saying that a good cigar requires good tobacco. Besides being of high quality, the tobacco needs to be aged properly or the end result will be a fast burning cigar that produces a harsh smoke. Like the question of the perfect cigar, there's endless argument about what region or country produces the best tobacco. Historically, Cuba is the country most frequently considered to be tops in terms of premium tobacco production.
Lawrence Olsen is a cigar enthusiast, with a memorabilia collection that includes dutch masters boxes dating to the company's first run in 1911. When it comes to smoking a cigar versus collecting, Lawrence prefers the hint of cocoa bean and coffee found in padron cigars.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
