While the act of puffing on a cigar typically evokes images of deep draws and a smoke-coated palate, the way in which the smoke is exhaled matters a whole hell of a lot. And no, we aren't just talking about blowing smoke rings here, people.
Although the vast majority of cigar enthusiasts will pipe the majority of the smoke from a stogie outward via an oral exhale, the act of expelling smoke via the nasal cavity has its own unique perks. While the thousands of taste buds on the human tongue do a decent enough job of detecting flavor, it is the upper end of our olfactory sensory system that homes in on the subtler nuances of a premium cigar blend.
This method of propelling cigar smoke forth from the nostrils is called "retrohaling," and in many circumstances, it unlocks a whole other side of a premium cigar blend that the tongue might not be able to fully detect.
A few of our favorite cigars to retrohale.
Curivari Buenaventura Maduro
Oscar Valladares Altar Q
German Engineered Cigars Raumzeit
But whereas the act of blowing smoke out of one's nose holes is about as straightforward as it gets, determining how much smoke is appropriate for the average retrohale is a touch more tricky. Every human being has their own preferences and tolerance levels, and each premium cigar blend is intended to offer a different smoking experience. So in essence, the quantity of smoke exhaled via retrohale depends upon the cigar blend and the person smoking.
Further complicating matters is the fact that these are crop-based products that are handmade, fermented, aged, and then stored in various environments. So smoke intensity levels can vary from stick-to-stick based upon a bunch of different factors.
Some cigars are smooth as silk on the nostrils and provide a very pleasant lineup of aromatics, so a 50/50 mix between a retrohale and an oral exhale might be in order. Others might be a touch tougher and spicier, so resorting to that 20% retrohale might be a wise move. Again, it all depends upon personal preference, how much tobacco intensity you can handle, and the potency and smoothness of the cigar blend itself.
Additionally, it is worth noting that a series of sizable retrohales is one of the best ways to determine the strength of a cigar, which not only has to do with nicotine intensity, but spiciness, sharpness, and astringency as well. So keep that in mind if you are looking to keep your smoking session on the milder side, or are hell-bent on sizing up the strength of a certain stogie.
Yet even with the risk of cigar sickness looming over the entire experience, we continue to retrohale tobacco smoke, forever in search of that fleeting moment of aromatic recognition. A hint of caramel, faint floral notes of dried flowers, or the dusty smell of old leather-bound books can all create something called a "memory trigger" at any given moment. This is where a certain smell takes us back to a moment in our lives that is associated with the aroma being detected, which is one of the greatest cigar smoking experiences one can unlock.
Essentially, retrohaling is not just a part of the cigar assessment and appreciation process. It's a gateway to long-forgotten moments in our lives. Without at least a handful of retrohales along the way, a smoking session also feels, no, smells, and tastes incomplete. So, if you aren't retrohaling your cigars, or are new to smoking premium cigar blends, please give the jolly old retrohale a go. It will more than likely change the way you view cigar smoking forever.
Tobacco Nerd Note: Looking to improve your sense of smell so that you can detect more of what a cigar has to offer, both prior to light and during combustion? This short video on mastering your sense of smell by TED-Ed has some great tips, as well as some truly fascinating facts about the human olfactory system.
