The Rule of Threes

Aristotle is often mistaken as the party who came up with the 3-story act. Actually, Syd Field, a screenwriting teacher and author actually came up that.  A beginning, middle, and end. I can’t help thinking how this relates to cigars. A lot of symphony movements are in three. When we smoke cigars there are 3 parts a beginning middle and end. For this article I used something interesting I’m using music in parts to see if it enhances,  disrupts, or has no bearing on anything. I’m going to use Igor Stravinsky’s symphony in three movements. I know there will skeptic’s saying” oh that has no bearing on anything. Taste is taste and that’s all.” Well let’s try and see. Shall we. First off, this piece by Stravinsky is not the perfect piece but it is interesting.  

I am smoking a Sinstro Mr. White robusto and having a cup of espresso a glass of spring water, and with some 72% dark chocolate. The cutting and lighting the beginning of the movement is quick boom bang starts off perfect for basically what is the most exciting part of the cigar  experience.

The rest of it is mostly enjoyable and relaxing. The song is quick, and about the 3:00 minute mark the pace of things changes a bit. First, there is cedar which has a bit of sweetness that reminds you of a humidor or your favorite store than a small bit of nuttiness. A cool smoke goes through. It’s pleasant, the music is taking a slower more methodical tone more flavors are starting to be exposed its nearing the end of the first movement. It’s at the 8:30 minute mark now and a different but pleasant pepper taste apperas. I put down the cigar and take of a sip espresso. I smell the smoke, it’s pleasant and pleasing not harsh.  The movement is about to end, clocking in at the 10 minute mark. The first third is gone leaving me pleased and waiting for more.

The second movement starts off more whimsical just like the cigar. All the flavors are now coming forward combining to make a full medium flavor cigar cedar, almonds, coffee, and pepper. The wrapper, a Dominican claro, is wonderful and holding strong. The Ecuadorian binder is holding on strong and is what gives the peppery that is balanced well with the sweetness of the wrapper.

The second movement at the 1:16 mark takes a fun almost Indiana Jones sound. It makes the cigar feel fun and the flavors quicken a bit. I take sip of coffee and look at the ash, a nice grey with flecks of black. The conductor has the symphony in great form – hats off to Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony. The second movement is quick only 6:00 mins long and I enjoy the pace.  

The third and last movement I have not let the cigar die out I put it down for a minute drink some water and have a bite of chocolate cleanse my palate a bit. The last movement starts off with a grandiose excitement like the cigar it’s now in the sweet spot. I find that the quick pace of music makes me pick up a bit quicker than I’m used to but still enjoy it the last movement is nearing its end, but my cigar has a bit to go.

I hear the odd piano begin I know it’s almost done I look at the  phone it’s the 4:00 minute mark the crescendo is coming it’s loud exciting and ends in a grandiose excellence. It ends at 22:35 mins there’s at least 15:00 minutes left in the cigar I smoke  it some more in quiet I reflect a bit on the music and how it quick and made smoke it, but I enjoyed it. First off this is a flavorful cigar with great construction, I normally don’t smoke robustos but for this I gave it a try this was interesting.  

My opinion overall it was enjoyable the cigar very good the music was odd quick in parts and  slow which made the flavors have no difference, but I think it put me in the mood to smoke. I love classical music and I love cigars I will do more research on the matter, and I ask you to try it and let me know the results.