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)