Consumer Tasting Groups - Join and win!
Cigar Sense Podcast
Have you ever struggled to name the flavors that you perceive when smoking a cigar? Or have you ever wondered if it's the cigar or if it's you to be off? Have you ever met friends who could not agree on what to think about a cigar? Did you ever try to define a cigar's flavor profile, but then realize that everyone with whom you talk to has defined a totally different profile? Build consensus in an authentic way Learn more about tasting in general Understand how your tasting skills compare to others' Clearly and visually identify your tasting skills gaps so you can address them Get recognition...
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Why is Cohiba the most expensive cigar brand?
Cigar Sense Podcast
Why are Cuban Cohiba's now more expensive than ever? In this episode we discuss: the causes of supply disruptions the causes of demand increase the response of most cigar producers the Habanos new pricing strategy the "truly rare" effect vs. scarcity and exclusivity marketing strategies the emerging Chinese consumers filling the empty shelves left by truly rare Cuban cigars finding the best cigars replaing the truly rare Cuban cigars Tool to find great cigars similar to any that are hard to find: Independent personalized recommendations: - from any cigar analysis page, click on "Find...
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Uncovering the unrecognized cigars
Cigar Sense Podcast
Top cigars lists time seems to have ended for the season, but there are many excellent cigars that haven't been recognized. In this episode we discuss: How can more of the excellent cigars be recognized? What is quality, anyway? How can we know, before buying it, if we will like a cigar? Reviewers' personal preferences, a must have bias? What are the best ways to make informed buying decisions? References: Product Excellence Awards program: Science-based tasting education: Independent personalized recommendations: Tasting seminars: You can ask your questions, make comments and...
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ChatGPT, can it help cigar lovers?
Cigar Sense Podcast
What is ChatGPT? Challenges Opportunities for the cigar industry Test: what are the flavors of cigar X? Test: personalized cigar recommendations Garbage in, garbage out? Google, will it detect AI content? The powerful bigger picture For more about the sensory and cultural world of cigars, visit To learn more about ChatGPT:
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Is it the cigar or am I off?
Cigar Sense Podcast
We get questions from our members. Recently Albert, a long time member, asked us: “Sometimes while smoking a familiar cigar, I sense more bitterness or other sensory impressions than usual, and I wonder if it’s actually the cigar, or in fact I am off. I'm excluding any obvious source of prejudice like very bitter or spicy foods just before smoking. Do people’s senses vary? Is there a method to calibrate one’s sense of taste and aroma just before having a smoke?” Some members of our panel discuss and reply to Albert's questions. References: On priming mind and palate: If you...
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Product Excellence Awards program intro and first award
Cigar Sense Podcast
Cigar Sense launched a “Product Excellence Award” program, to provide recognition to those premium cigars producers that consistently meet high standards in terms of draw, burn, production consistency, sensory and other key quality indicators, and meet a majority of consumers’ preferences much better than other cigars. If you want to understand: what this award means why it’s different from other cigar recognitions which is the first cigar manufacturer who received the award this short episode is for you. REFERENCES: Product Excellence Award program: First award presented: ...
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064: Cigar beginner forever
Cigar Sense Podcast
Is it good to remain a cigar beginner forever? In the cigar industry, knowledge is almost entirely transferred verbally and this generates a lot of opportunities for misconceptions and errors. Additional attention is needed when trying to pass on potential knowledge that others cannot easily verify. How does being an apprentice protect you when you feel uncomfortable? How does it allow you to exercise your freedom of personal choice? And how can it help you find your own identity as a cigar lover? References: Habanos World Challenge: SOTL Global Movement: The map is not the territory...
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063: Perdomo brand, a short history
Cigar Sense Podcast
Our members asked us to talk more about brands history, in addition to cigar tasting related topics. Therefore, in this episode, we are sharing a few facts about the history of the Perdomo brand: from countertrends to chemical analyses, cigar production innovation in a nutshell. References: Ferri Luigi, "Storia del sigaro. Mitologia, tradizione e cultura", Odoya, 2019: Wikipedia: Cigar Sense video:
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062: Partagás brand, a short history
Cigar Sense Podcast
Our members asked us to talk more about brands history, in addition to cigar tasting related topics. Therefore, in this episode, we are sharing a few facts about the history of the Partagás brand: from 1845 to the Cuban revolution, General Cigar Dominicana and the American market trademark. References mentioned in this episode: Ferri Luigi, "Storia del sigaro. Mitologia, tradizione e cultura", Odoya, 2019: Cuban Cigar Website: Cigar Sense:
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061: The Greater China perspective
Cigar Sense Podcast
We discuss the cigar consumer in Greater China with Eric Piras. Eric Piras has an incredible experience of over 25 years in the cigar industry. He is based in Hong Kong, where he manages his import-export cigar trading Cigraal Ltd, the agent for brands such as Arturo Fuente, Ashton, Joya de Nicaragua, Mombacho, Gerard and Maya Selva. In Hong Kong, he also operates Bertie Cigar Lounge, setting the mark for a new era of cigar smoking, with the largest selection of New World cigars in Hong Kong, patronized by a younger and more feminine crowd. Eric has also created the Cigraal Academy, to...
info_outlineBongani Cigars is the first African Cigar brand. Their premium cigars are made in Mozambique and they are growing their presence across Africa, Europe and the US.
Kamal Moukheiber discusses with Franca about:
- the African cigar tobacco tradition
- the young open-minded African consumer: as they become more mature and wealthier, they shift from international to what talks to their identity
- the scent of Ghana cedar wood
- the Mozambican production team with a Dominican undertone culture
- and more.
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