Developing your palate

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

So how long did it take you to develope your palate? I have tried a few smokes so far and I have not really been able to pick up the different nuances. After smoking them, I read reviews on the cigar I just smoked and it would have this fantastic decription of having a hint of this and an undertone of that, hell if I could pick that up. So I guess my main question is, will my ability to taste these things develope over time and experience?

[mglantz]

Well, Puff, to be honest, your palate may become discriminating enough to be able to taste the various elements in the cigar but it's just as possible that it won't. I've been smoking cigars for quite a few years and I still cannot break the flavors down into the various elements. Many of my cigar smoking friends, including a few that I consider very knowledgeable smokers, do not have that ability either. Here's the thing, though...I know what I like and what I don't like. Line up a dozen cigars, let me smoke them with a blindfold on and I'll not only tell you which I like and which I don't, but I'll rank them for you in order of taste preference. I won't be able to tell you which smokes have hints of chocolate, leather, wood or old dog's hair, but to me, that doesn't matter. I don't amoke cigars to enjoy chocolate and leather undertones. I do smoke them to enjoy the overall flavor and experience. When I ask a friend his opinion of a cigar, I'm basically looking for him to tell me if he likes the smoke or not, is it mild or full-bodied, etc. If there are hints of orange Frapple in there, so be it. I wouldn't be able to taste it anyway.

My advice is don't worry or get hung up about be able to analyze the smoke into its molecular structure. If it happens, fine. If not, it doesn't make you any less of a cigar smoker. Just enjoy them. That's what they're made for.

( I am now stepping off my soapbox)

[JStrider]

the main flavor ive been able to notice is the spicyness... havnt really been able to pinpoint the other flavors... just smokey goodness

[Drake]

i can taste spicey, coffee, nutty, chocolate, and even apple in opus x

don't really know what earthy tastes like

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Yeah, I taste tobbacco with a hint of tobbacco and undertones of tobbacco

[labmonkey]

Yeah, I taste tobbacco with a hint of tobbacco and undertones of tobbacco

that's funny....

In some cigars I can really describe the flavors more than others, and at different times, I think my sense of taste is better than others, but I still haven't figured out what the deal is with my taste buds.

But I do feel like even though I may not always be able to give a name to those flavors and undertones, I can still pick a lot of them out and enjoy them....that's all I care about ultimately is the enjoyment anyway.

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

that's funny....

In some cigars I can really describe the flavors more than others, and at different times, I think my sense of taste is better than others, but I still haven't figured out what the deal is with my taste buds.

But I do feel like even though I may not always be able to give a name to those flavors and undertones, I can still pick a lot of them out and enjoy them....that's all I care about ultimately is the enjoyment anyway.

Me too when it comes right down to it. I just like the way some people describe the way they are tasting thier cigar. I guess I can just make stuff up. Hey, whos gonna know, right.

[labmonkey]

Me too when it comes right down to it. I just like the way some people describe the way they are tasting thier cigar. I guess I can just make stuff up. Hey, whos gonna know, right.

There you go....or just say something bizarre...it has a nice rootbeer flavor with popcorn undertones, and just a hint of Elmer's Glue......

[jaewing]

There you go....or just say something bizarre...it has a nice rootbeer flavor with popcorn undertones, and just a hint of Elmer's Glue......

I was having a perfectly glum Tuesday afternoon until I read that. LMAO

[BigMacFU]

Okay, so this is another way to have fun with the whole tasting thing:

Get the latest Wine Bible or well respected Wine Rating Guide. Memorize like 4 or 5 wine's aspects of tastes. Then goto a wine bar and order those wines over the period of an hour or so, talk to the waiter about all the tastes so s/he gets the idea you really know what you're talking about. Then, order a wine that you don't know anything about, start talking about the tannins, this or that taste while dropping in the random word like, "mmmmmm, is that a hint of kahki?" "Am I detecting a little flannel? maybe 1990?" By that time the waiter thinks you know your stuff and you can just have fun bs'in the rest of the time.

I think elmer's would be a great idea too :-) Totally, "I think I taste a little Elmer's on the tip of my tongue."

Great stuff guys.

[chrisboy]

just keep smoking. whether you figure out the tastes or not is unimportant. what matters is if you enjoy the cigar or not.

about your question, i have been smoking cigars for two years now. thats about all the time i had to try out many different stuff and decide which ones i really like.

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

There you go....or just say something bizarre...it has a nice rootbeer flavor with popcorn undertones, and just a hint of Elmer's Glue......

Haven't laughed that hard for awhile

[Roham]

the main flavor ive been able to notice is the spicyness... havnt really been able to pinpoint the other flavors... just smokey goodness

Same with me. Some are spicier then others. Even when I have tasted my girlfriends flavored cigars I can't taste anything but tobacco:)

[labmonkey]

Okay, so this is another way to have fun with the whole tasting thing:

Get the latest Wine Bible or well respected Wine Rating Guide. Memorize like 4 or 5 wine's aspects of tastes. Then goto a wine bar and order those wines over the period of an hour or so, talk to the waiter about all the tastes so s/he gets the idea you really know what you're talking about. Then, order a wine that you don't know anything about, start talking about the tannins, this or that taste while dropping in the random word like, "mmmmmm, is that a hint of kahki?" "Am I detecting a little flannel? maybe 1990?" By that time the waiter thinks you know your stuff and you can just have fun bs'in the rest of the time.

I think elmer's would be a great idea too :-) Totally, "I think I taste a little Elmer's on the tip of my tongue."

Great stuff guys.

yeah....and most of those waiters would not say a word....then probably use it on their customers later thinking it's a new term

[MMAB]

It seems many folks get the impression that when they light up a cigar that they are going to "taste" certain flavors like chocolate, coffee, spice, flint, steel, etc. etc.

Personally I believe that what is meant is that there are certain flavor notes that "remind" one of these flavors, not actually tasting them.

For example. A good cigar with a sungrown wrapper always gives me a suggestion of cinnamon. You don't actually taste cinnamon but there are certain characteristics that remind you of it. The smoke has a certain spicy heat or bite with a little sweetness.

Many CAO Gold line cigars, in particular the torpedo, have nutty characteristics. I don't actually taste nuts but the flavor is suggestive of them in the way it strikes your palette.

Some cigars like many Perdomos have a creamy feel to the smoke. It begins to suggest coffee flavors. I suppose that many of the taste perceptions may be a little psychological in that something begins to remind you of this flavor and your brain carries on with the rest.

As the others said, don't worry about it. What is most important is that you smoke what you enjoy for whatever flavor perceptions and preferences that you have.