Ring Gauge

[bourbon]

I would be interested to know the ring gauge most of you choose to smoke, and why.

The trend is for larger ring gauge cigars these days, but I smoke every day, and my time is limited (especially during the week--and I often sneak off for 20 minutes with a Minuto in the evening).

Don't get me wrong...I love a Prominente and if i have the time, I love nothing more than to sit down with a glass of champagne and a double corona from Ramon Allones, Vegas Robaina or Saint Luis Rey, but in a modern world, our time is limited.

So tell me...why do you choose to smoke what you smoke and why?

Is it based on the meal you have previously enjoyed? Or the time at your disposal? Or is it just habit?

[stickman]

Good question. I find I have two primary modes: for a smoke-alone, more 'daily' accompaniment to either tedious work or reading, I really enjoy a fine Corona 42-44RG; for a sit-down, usually after-a-meal, conversation with friends smoke, I have a stable of 52RG sticks (from short robustos to toro-pluses, but I usually limit it to 6.5 inches or so) that I love. I find the 42s seem to have more focus and clarity, and the better 52s can have a magical complexity. I certainly enjoy other RGs, but those seem like two sweet-spots to me.

I can occasionally tolerate a 54+ RG (especially in a box-press), but they seem to tend to lose focus, and these 60+ behemoths just seem comical to me. On the other end, even a fine Lancero feels too much like sucking on a straw to me, and the ash is often so delicate, it seems too fussy for my taste.

Certainly available time is a factor in choosing, but my line of work demands lots of solitary time, so I can usually justify longer smokes while I'm working. Perhaps I'm fortunate that I usually choose my stick based more on the whim of what flavor profile I'm feeling in the mood for at the moment. "Gee, a Cohiba Genios with a Kahlúa and cream would sure hit the spot right now!" There. There's a 52 I'll smoke even with no one around to talk with!

How 'bout the rest of you cigar nuts? What are your preferences?

[bourbon]

Hi stickmanm. I totally agree about the 42 "sweet spot"...so many choices up and down in that RG and great complexity. I have been exploring that range in more depth recently myself...

[stickman]

Bourbon, do you smoke primarily (or even exclusively) Cuban cigars? In non-CCs, recently I've enjoyed the My Father Corona, Illusione mk ultra, Tatuaje Mini Mum (from the Little Monsters series), and Quesada España Corona.

[bourbon]

Hi Stickman--I have not checked the board for a couple weeks-apologies! Yes I do smoke Havanas exclusively at home but I travel as well for work in the US and like to visit local cigar shops and don't always bring Havans with me--I always appreciate suggestions. I am heading to NYC for a few weeks in August and have several shops I like to visit--can you let me know about the dimensions of the Tatuaje Mini Mum and the Illusione mk ultra? I will definitely seek them out. I have been a fan of Tatuaje's in the past. Lately I have been obsessed with 42's and have picked up boxes of Bolivar Petit Coronas, Bolivar Coronas Junior, Por Larragna Petit Coronas, Vegas Robainas Familar, Partagas Shorts, etc, the list goes on--you know how it goes. Thanks Stickman.