From Gigar Smoker to Cigar Aficionado

[Red Raider]

Ok... I will admit that I love smoking cigars and have for 2 - 3 years, but I still feel like I am a cigar smoker rather than aficionado. How does one make the change into the latter of these categories?

I can taste pepper, leather, earth, and spice, but my pallet is not refined enough to describe cigars the way many others do. How does one learn to distinquish between all the flavors and nuances of a cigar? Don't get me wrong, I know if i like/dislike, if it is harsh with a bite or smooth... but I would like to take it a step farther.

My goal would be able to smoke a cigar and write a "review" that would be descriptive, intelligent, and correct, rather than just the vague and generalized comments.

This is not directed at anyone else's reviews. (I actually find most all reviews quite enjoyable) but rather a way to get some tips, ideas, suggestions, instruction on becoming a more informed, and trained smoker... ie aficionado...


If this thread is way out of place, or I am the only one with this issue, then let me know and we will get it deleted.

Thanks,
:dunno:

 

[Palmettoguy]

Good question...I was actually pondering the very same thing yesterday.

 

[danthebugman]

Fire up a cigar. Jot down your impressions as you smoke. That's all a review really is. If you want to increase the number of flavors your palate recognizes then there's a chart somewhere around there that lists common flavors found in cigars. Go find some of the flavors on there that you might not be familiar with and try 'em. Don't know what nutmeg tastes like? Then raid the spice cabinet and lick some.

Dan

 

[aherzing]

Fire up a cigar. Jot down your impressions as you smoke. That's all a review really is. If you want to increase the number of flavors your palate recognizes then there's a chart somewhere around there that lists common flavors found in cigars. Go find some of the flavors on there that you might not be familiar with and try 'em. Don't know what nutmeg tastes like? Then raid the spice cabinet and lick some.

Dan

Great advice, when in doubt... lick it :stretchgr

 

[gibbleguts]

I have no uses how you become an aficionado. I smoke quite a bit. Quite picky about my cigars and hoard quite a few kinda rate cigars but still just a Smoker

 

[Red Raider]

That's the boat I am in now. I have some fairly rare sticks that hoard more than smoke, I guess it is all perspective and expectations of what the cigar/experience is for each person

[/B]

I have no uses how you become an aficionado. I smoke quite a bit. Quite picky about my cigars and hoard quite a few kinda rate cigars but still just a Smoker

 

[SurpriseMVP]

Everyone's Palate is different. Some people can pick up subtle flavors while some cannot. Smoke a cigar you have not read a review on. Write a review for yourself, then compare other reviews and you will find one with a Palate similar to yours. Bottom line is enjoy what you smoke.

 

[gibbleguts]

Think it comes down to what you want out of the experience. I just want great cigars and I want to smoke them. I have a big thing for old cigars monte's from the 70's are a lot of what keep me hunting I don't want to review them. I don't want to smoke in front of people I just want to hide in my own little corner and smoke cigars that can distract you from every thing else in the world.

 

[LittleMoe]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but i think a large part of being an Aficionado, is knowledge. Knowing who made what, when, country of origin, etc ......

 

[Red Raider]

True for that part and that only requires some effort in research and study... don't get me wrong, I have no desire to write public reviews. I keep a sketchbook/journal as part of some anxiety therapy (prob too much info there) and I would like to include cigars in this as well. It would be nice to have good notes to refer back to in the future to see if the cigars aged well, my pallet changed, etc...I may just try a little trial and error and see how it turns out. I guess if it is private, then it really doesn't matter...
Sorry for the long ambiguous post. I shall shut up now.

 

[icehog3]

Merriam-Webster defines an aficianado as

: a person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a usually fervently pursued interest or activity : devotee

So it sounds like you already are there.

 

[maverickdrinker]

reviews are personal as they are your impressions on what you are experiencing when you are smoking a cigar. Don't be so concerned about being eloquent in your delivery. Just describe what you experience. No one is judging. Some will agree and maybe add more colour. Others won't.

Lots of people love Cohiba. Others don't. No biggie.

Smoke what you want. Describe if you like. Grow as you experience. Don't worry about the difference between a smoker or an aficionado. Knowledge grows over time however, you have to try first to get a starting point.

Hope this helps

 

[javajunkie]

if you want to work on the tasting aspect, big +1 to taking notes. also, if you are gunshy on putting up a review, at least talk one out to yourself. YES. talk to yourself. verbalizing helps cement these ephemeral sensory images into more concrete concepts our memory can hold on to.

and at the end, it isn't really important. there is no cigar snob merit badge. if you are open to exploring cigars, and go out of your way to smoke and share what you like and works for you, you are already in the top ten percent of the cigar consuming populous. o)

 

[Gravity]

Practice, practice, practice, which means paying close attention to the cigar your currently smoking. Have a note book next to you while enjoying your stick, and jot down anything that strikes you about the cigar. It's your personal notes, so if you come across a taste you can't quite put your finger on, try to explain it in your notes to yourself. Visit your spice cabinet and see if anything is familiar to the taste.

One thing few people do is try to taste the different ingredients in the food you eat everyday. You are making an attempt at teaching yourself to recognize tastes and flavors, this by no means is only relegated to cigars, but to anything you consume. I will lay you odds, that once you start to pay attention to it on a constant basis, it will become second nature to you, and what you are tasting will pop into your mind easier and easier.

It all comes down to retraining yourself to actually taste whats in your mouth, rather than how most people consume with blinders on.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[Dave]

Great advice above. Couple more suggestions:

1. Slow down. I had heard it and read it many times. But, it wasn't until I had my first lancero and was forced to smoke it very slow so it didn't get overheated that I fully understood.

2. If you're not doing it already, learn to retrohale. Easily ten times the flavor experience in the smoke exhaled through the nose.

3. I learned a lot about tasting individual cigars by experimenting with perfectos, esp. torps and chisels. Next time you have a perfecto of some sort, experiment with how much you clip -- I still find it fascinating to start with just a slight cut, and then through the first half of the cigar, gradually cut a little more and take note of how the flavors change.

4. Do a google image search on cigar tasting wheel, find one that catches your eye, print out a copy and keep it with you while you concentrate on a cigar. It can be a great tool.

There's a pretty good thread around here somewhere about developing your pallete, but I haven't found it yet.

 

[wilfredsimpson]

One thing few people do is try to taste the different ingredients in the food you eat everyday. You are making an attempt at teaching yourself to recognize tastes and flavors, this by no means is only relegated to cigars, but to anything you consume. I will lay you odds, that once you start to pay attention to it on a constant basis, it will become second nature to you, and what you are tasting will pop into your mind easier and easier.

It all comes down to retraining yourself to actually taste whats in your mouth, rather than how most people consume with blinders on.

+1 - If you don't know what star anise tastes like, then how could you describe the taste of it? tannins? lavender (lol)? Expand your palate, expand your ability to describe them in cigars.

 

[D Quintero]

better to stick with what flavours guys can relate to: earth, dirt, leather, pussy, oak, pine, grass, steak, pepper, pencil lead, and the like :thumbsup:

 

[tedp]

better to stick with what flavours guys can relate to: earth, dirt, leather, pussy, oak, pine, grass, steak, pepper, pencil lead, and the like :thumbsup:

But what about the different nuances of pussy? Leather, twang fish?:dunno:

 

[Red Raider]

Stay away from the ones that are "harsh with a bite"...
:rofl:

But what about the different nuances of pussy? Leather, twang fish?:dunno:

 

[fuelie95]

I have no uses how you become an aficionado. I smoke quite a bit. Quite picky about my cigars and hoard quite a few kinda rate cigars but still just a Smoker

I would agree. While reviews are interesting and sometimes informative, I'm just a simple cigar smoker that enjoys the experience and the fellowship.:cbig: