Different Vitola Flavors

Im curious how much of a difference the shape of the same blend makes. I fully understand gauge plays a huge role- changes the filler/binder/wrapper ratios. But in particular im asking about the EPC Encore Majestic vs Valientes. They are the same gauge but the Valientes is a torpedo. So i guess I don’t understand how cigar aficionado ranks one as cigar of the year and the other is quite a few points below. Even more confusing is the flavors of the 2 dont seem to be listed similar to each other. I know its all subjective but does anyone have any input on this? I had the Valientes this past weekend and looooooved it- i guess i need to try the Majestic and see for myself

Good question.
Curious to see the answers from those more knowledgeable

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Cigar Aficionados numbers are skewed by $$$ influences out of our control.

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Originally Posted by AlanS

Cigar Aficionados numbers are skewed by $$$ influences out of our control.

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This possibility is why I only use them as a jumping off point for further reviews

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Think about it Rocky rates high every year, somebody's greasing somebody's palm

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Originally Posted by AlanS

Think about it Rocky rates high every year, somebody's greasing somebody's palm

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I've honestly never paid much attention to how those who spend more advertising dollars with them correlates to who gets better reviews or rankings, but this is a pretty common belief I've noticed.

I still find them useful for ideas on what to research further and are only 1 step un my decision making process, with forums opunions carrying the most weight with me.

And i still enjoy reading and looking at pictures in the magazine regardless

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I enjoy their publication just not their playing of favorites. One guy has the best cigars in the world IMHO but they don't give him the time of day

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The only thing I could think of that would change the flavor of the cigar based on shape alone would be that as you smoke a Torpedo, the smoke is tunneling through a slightly narrowed opening which may cause tar build up as you progress through the cigar.

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Originally Posted by cheaphumidors

The only thing I could think of that would change the flavor of the cigar based on shape alone would be that as you smoke a Torpedo, the smoke is tunneling through a slightly narrowed opening which may cause tar build up as you progress through the cigar.

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I have also heard this possibility mentioned before.

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Not much experience with shaped cigars (not a fan), but I'd say your comment of ratios/rg would apply to these kinda sticks. You'll probably get more of a transitioning taste early on with perfectos and/or shapes where tapering occurs near the foot, and it'd overall be a different experience that a regular shape. Probably the same with torpedos if you're a nubber, but more on the back end.

So, your cigars are the same brand and line, but the Aficionado ranked cigar probably scored higher because of said transitions, which made it less linear and maybe more complex.

Only personal theory with little experience thrown in.

I agree with @AlanS 100% about CA. They seem to be very swayed by those who advertise with them. And @cheaphumidors has a very valid point about how the shape of a cigar affects its taste.
Also look at how the different cuts affects a cigars taste. A punch will taste different to a V cut of the same exact cigar (IMO).

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Originally Posted by Brimy

I agree with @AlanS 100% about CA. They seem to be very swayed by those who advertise with them. And @cheaphumidors has a very valid point about how the shape of a cigar affects its taste.
Also look at how the different cuts affects a cigars taste. A punch will taste different to a V cut of the same exact cigar (IMO).

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Interesting observation about the cut making a difference too.

Have never done anything but a straight cut, so no experience with it, but kinda makes sense, assuming the theory mentioned about tapered heads is correct.

I prefer piramides, torpedoes and belicosos for some reason, but not because I have ever noticed a taste difference. I just find the taper to have a better mouth feel.

Have a couple 70rg cigars I received as part of a bomb, and they wont fit my guillotine cutter, which is all I have ever used, so will be trying a punch for the first time with them, and am now curious about different cuts.

Will have to do a straight cut vs punch back to back test on something I have multiples of and see if I notice a difference.

Will also have to get a few of the same ones in tapered and non tapered heads and compare to see if I notice a difference.

Will be a neat experiment to try

As far as CA skewing their scores, I have noticed that this is a very common belief.

Never paid attention to who advertises the most vs the scores they receive.

I simply use their scores as a jumping off point for ideas on something to find more reviews of with different online reviewers and especially on the forums, to investigate when considering trying something new.

For cc's, I'm pretty confident in the CA scores since there is no advertising money at play

The various forums member opinions carry the most weight with me.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brimy

I agree with @AlanS 100% about CA. They seem to be very swayed by those who advertise with them. And @cheaphumidors has a very valid point about how the shape of a cigar affects its taste.
Also look at how the different cuts affects a cigars taste. A punch will taste different to a V cut of the same exact cigar (IMO).

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Thank u for including the info about the cuts affecting the taste- that was actually going to be my follow up question. Ive been using a punch only because I prefer the way it feels in my mouth. I may have to do some experimenting now…

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Originally Posted by Brimy

I agree with @AlanS 100% about CA. They seem to be very swayed by those who advertise with them. And @cheaphumidors has a very valid point about how the shape of a cigar affects its taste.
Also look at how the different cuts affects a cigars taste. A punch will taste different to a V cut of the same exact cigar (IMO).

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

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Thank u for including the info about the cuts affecting the taste- that was actually going to be my follow up question. Ive been using a punch only because I prefer the way it feels in my mouth. I may have to do some experimenting now…

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Originally Posted by jrfoxx

Interesting observation about the cut making a difference too.

Have never done anything but a straight cut, so no experience with it, but kinda makes sense, assuming the theory mentioned about tapered heads is correct.

I prefer piramides, torpedoes and belicosos for some reason, but not because I have ever noticed a taste difference. I just find the taper to have a better mouth feel.

Have a couple 70rg cigars I received as part of a bomb, and they wont fit my guillotine cutter, which is all I have ever used, so will be trying a punch for the first time with them, and am now curious about different cuts.

Will have to do a straight cut vs punch back to back test on something I have multiples of and see if I notice a difference.

Will also have to get a few of the same ones in tapered and non tapered heads and compare to see if I notice a difference.

Will be a neat experiment to try

As far as CA skewing their scores, I have noticed that this is a very common belief.

Never paid attention to who advertises the most vs the scores they receive.

I simply use their scores as a jumping off point for ideas on something to find reviews of with different online reviewers and especially on the forums, to investigate when considering trying something new.

The various forums member opinions carry the most weight with me.

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Completely agree with u about the mouth feel!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jrfoxx

Interesting observation about the cut making a difference too.

Have never done anything but a straight cut, so no experience with it, but kinda makes sense, assuming the theory mentioned about tapered heads is correct.

I prefer piramides, torpedoes and belicosos for some reason, but not because I have ever noticed a taste difference. I just find the taper to have a better mouth feel.

Have a couple 70rg cigars I received as part of a bomb, and they wont fit my guillotine cutter, which is all I have ever used, so will be trying a punch for the first time with them, and am now curious about different cuts.

Will have to do a straight cut vs punch back to back test on something I have multiples of and see if I notice a difference.

Will also have to get a few of the same ones in tapered and non tapered heads and compare to see if I notice a difference.

Will be a neat experiment to try

As far as CA skewing their scores, I have noticed that this is a very common belief.

Never paid attention to who advertises the most vs the scores they receive.

I simply use their scores as a jumping off point for ideas on something to find more reviews of with different online reviewers and especially on the forums, to investigate when considering trying something new.

For cc's, I'm pretty confident in the CA scores since there is no advertising money at play

The various forums member opinions carry the most weight with me.

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As part of your experiment, take a toothpick and punch a ton of holes in the cap! I did this once when I got caught without any sort of cutter. That's when I paid attention and noticed the cut making a difference. And compare one of your torpedoes/belicoso to the same cigar with a "traditional" round or box press.

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Originally Posted by Brimy

As part of your experiment, take a toothpick and punch a ton of holes in the cap! I did this once when I got caught without any sort of cutter. That's when I paid attention and noticed the CT making a difference. And compare one of your torpedoes/belicoso to the same cigar with a "traditional" round or box press.

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I'll have to do that

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