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...

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...

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? Re...

 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 https://www.cigarsense.com/. To learn more about ChatGPT: https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/

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 cal...

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...

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 exer...

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: https://www.ibs.it/storia-de...

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", Odo...

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...

Blind tests or open tests? Are blind tests worth the effort? People have all sorts of opinions about this because there are different purposes for doing tests. Episode summary Purposes for blind tests: 1. guide consumers to buy the best cigars for them 2. leisure (hedonic type of tests) Purposes for open tests: 1. persuade consumers to buy cigars based on symbols 2. decide whether to import/distri...

We recently spoke about how unique is our taste with  Aniello Buonincontro , who wrote the book, "Degustazione Razionale", which means rational tasting. He researched anthropology, sociology, neuroscience and psychology. He also studied the issues concerning the characteristics of the premium cigar in relation to marketing and consumption.  Aniello is a certified sommelier and a Cigar Journal pane...

We regularly get questions from our followers and also members about the technology we use at Cigar Sense. David Wells, vice-president, co-founder and technologist at Cigar Sense, explains how Cigar Sense works, why our technology is not AI and gives us insights on many more connected aspects. Quick episode summary How does Cigar Sense work? Knowing how to name an aroma A solution: Profile Advisor...

The Cigar Sense panel is a key instrument that allows consumers to know what a cigar actually delivers to the senses. On top of to consumers, the trained sensory panel work is dedicated to anyone who wants to know and market the cigar for what it is. Quick episode summary Benefits vs. mainstream marketing or promotional copy Difference between consumers (or untrained tasters) and trained tasters w...

Is more cigar choice better? Today we have a plethora of choices of premium cigars. We discuss what are the possible motivations for people to choose from many cigars or from less and identify one solution to fill the gap between many choices and "good enough for me", in respect of our individual taste. Quick episode summary Is having more cigar choice a better way to satisfy our needs? Choosing b...

If you had an idea of what your unique personal taste is about, after listening to this episode you may look at some things differently. Aniello Buonincontro wrote a book, "Degustazione Razionale", which means rational tasting. He researched anthropology, sociology, neuroscience and psychology. He also studied the issues concerning the characteristics of the premium cigar in relation to marketing...

We all have our individual needs and values. Often so many of them are combined together. Even if it might not be a priority for us to consider premium cigars as luxury products, at least consciously, we may recognize some patterns discussed in this episode.   Quick episode summary What needs lead us to buy premium cigars as luxury products? Among the wide variety of cigars, which ones do we tend...

The history of the Dunhill Cuban cigars was presented at the III International Symposium "Habana/Habanos"2009, an event gathering historians, museum workers, researchers of different branches, journalists, collectors, artists, trader, sommeliers with the propose of, a.o., sharing researches and accumulated experiences on the Habanos economy and analyze the links between the tobacco industry and th...

Many doubts, reactions, engagements and questions indicate the interest that the cigar industry is showing in sensory analysis. We welcome them all. Join Cigar Sense for free [https://www.cigarsense.com/] and get your personalized recommendations powered by technology and sensory analysis!   Quick episode summary What is the meaning of "tasting"? What is different from food & beverage products whe...

This episode is based on our article  Sensory analysis, a misunderstood discipline . Franca explains some key factors that drive misconceptions when it is about sensory analysis: it deals with subjective data sensory science is a young research area anyone can evaluate cigars many expert tasters many obsolete tasting guides a lot of academic literature, little sharing of benefits among non-academi...

Franca interviewed Scott Haugh, Director of The Haugh Family Foundation and co-founder of Cayman Cigar Company. Cayman Cigar Company has a unique story in that they are the world's first and only premium cigar company to give 100% of all net profits to charity. They are helping Caymanians in addiction recovery in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands through their nonprofit The Bridge Foundation (www.thebr...

Ana Lopez started working in the tobacco industry in 1984. She is a former operational marketing director of Habanos and participated in the creation of more than a hundred of new lines and products and of concepts, such as the Habanos limited editions, Colección Habanos, and even Habanosommelier. She is also founder of the Habanos festival. Ana is currently a sales advisor at the company Hunters...

Bongani 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 o...

From Greece to the USA to Saudi Arabia to Cuba, the principles and international mindset of Nicholas Syris convey that the road less traveled, when choosing, enjoying and marketing premium cigars, is not always easy, but provide the highest satisfaction. Nicholas has a deep experience in tobacco, blending, understanding consumers and a lot more. Lots to learn from him. He is the LH (Lavida Habana)...

Angelika Bauer has been working for Messe Dortmund and since 2006 and is the Project Director of InterTabac and InterSupply. In this episode, we discuss the trade show mission and goals, how visitors can access the show, the forthcoming activities and more. Visit their LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/intertabac/ for more updates.