The Newb palate

[derwood]

Have to start by saying that being a newbie, I've been a little discouraged by not tasting some of the flavors that alot of people seem to get from their cigars. But I came home early today, relaxed, and sat out in the deck and smoked a Cain Daytona robusto. Really enjoyed it and for the first time really got some spice and nuttiness. Pretty dang excited!

Curious about anyone elses first time like this...

 

[Mickeymorris626]

Don't worry about not picking up the flavors right away. They do call it a refined palate for a reason. It takes a ton of smoking hours to be as good as some of these brothers. Just make sure you are taking slow draws (retro-hailing can also greatly increase the flavors you pick up). Also make sure you take a drag every minute or so. The key is to get the "coldest" smoke as you can, a "hot" smoke can just taste bitter and flavorless.

As far as the first time I picked up some of the intricate and distinct flavors is when I smoked an AF Anejo. Superb smoke!

 

[sofc]

Don't worry about not picking up the flavors right away. They do call it a refined palate for a reason. It takes a ton of smoking hours to be as good as some of these brothers.

Or you can be smoking for many many years and not pick up and of the flavors; all you know is "I like this" or "I don't like this"

 

[Alwayslit]

It's nice when it all comes together.

 

[javajunkie]

smoke to enjoy first and foremost. nuance comes with a LOT of dropped ash.

one thing to remember, be it cigars, spirits, food, whatever; the first real big step to getting a palate, aside from experience, is thoughtfulness. stop and reflect on what you taste and smell, what it brings to mind. also. verbalizing it helps; by placing something into words, the experience is easier to hold onto and file away. that is what makes a site like this, everyone hashing out differing experiences of the same passion, so useful.

that and a couple of the people on here don't suck. o)

have fun on the journey, and ask, you will get good answers here! and kudos on a big milestone on that trip!

 

[CO Smokes]

It's not that you aren't tasting it, it's that you aren't able to pin point what the flavors are exactly. That comes to you after smoking a LOT of cigars. Just enjoy smoking and the rest will come over time.

 

[owensaz]

Don't worry about not picking up the flavors right away. They do call it a refined palate for a reason. It takes a ton of smoking hours to be as good as some of these brothers. Just make sure you are taking slow draws (retro-hailing can also greatly increase the flavors you pick up). Also make sure you take a drag every minute or so. The key is to get the "coldest" smoke as you can, a "hot" smoke can just taste bitter and flavorless.

As far as the first time I picked up some of the intricate and distinct flavors is when I smoked an AF Anejo. Superb smoke!

^^This

 

[Gravity]

I won't echo what has already been said here too much, all great advice, and very true.

Just remember, there are smokers on this site ranging from brand new to a couple with 40+ years of experience, don't feel you need pull every little taste that some of the guys on here do. That comes with time, and actually quite a bit of "work" refining a palate to notice all of the nuances in not just cigars, but everything you partake in. Keep it up, and make sure you're constantly thinking about what you're tasting, no matter if it's a cigar, coffee, beer, salad, pizza, wine or a bowl of spaghetti, it will help you when it comes to picking up on all those tastes in your future cigars.

Also, one last thing, genetics play a role in this as well. There are people out there with "super palates", that no matter what some of us do, we will never taste as well as these guys do. Nothing wrong with that, just something their body is better at.

 

[derwood]

Thanks everyone ... definately good to remember enjoying a cigar and the time smoking it is the most important thing. Made it a point to take my time smoking last night, and that made a huge difference.

 

[SDShark]

Or you can be smoking for many many years and not pick up and of the flavors; all you know is "I like this" or "I don't like this"

Exactly. This is where I am at, and will be for some time. It doesn't bother me.

 

[Hoshneer]

I used to think the same thing. It comes with time. Do you practice retro-haling?

 

[Cigary43]

Just enjoy the time spent and don't overthink things. The best way to develop "taste" is to experience it when all things are right...keep your cigars in the right RH and let em rest for a bit. Don't be in a hurry or you'll just end up cooking your taste buds instead and you won't taste anything. A good neutralizing drink can help as well as a drink that will enhance the virtues of the blend of tobaccos.

 

[Meatcake]

A big thing to remember too is don't overdo it. Moderation is key in developing your palette. When I started smoking I got two other guys into it at the same time. When I hang with them, its like watching crack addicts at work. They want to smoke 3 to 4 a night. That is a good way to burn out your palette for a good while so you don't taste anything. One a day, or even skipping a few days gives your palette time to adjust. I find if i smoke more than one a day, I miss a ton of the nuances that come along with stick #2 and so on.
Like others have said, take your time, put it down between puffs for a min or so, as long as you have your smokes at the right humidity and temp, it shouldn't go out on you.
Another thing that works great for developing your palette is try to get a few guys with you all smoking the same thing. That way you can all verbalize and talk about the different flavors your getting. It really helps because sometimes your getting something you can't place and your buddy will chime in and then it hits you "YA, that's what it is!" or "WTF? Your palette is jacked up!" Good times!

 

[Treinenwj]

As many have already said, don't worry too much about it. I rarely ever pick out individual flavors, and I'm fine with that. You probably will get better at identifying flavors over time, but if you don't it doesn't mean you're doing anything wrong.

As someone else stated, there are "supertasters" who just naturally pick out more than most of us ever will be able to. And then there are the BS artists who just list off a bunch of obscure hints, notes & essences just to sound cool. Don't get discouraged if you never taste those same things.

 

[ironchefscott]

And then there are the BS artists who just list off a bunch of obscure hints, notes & essences just to sound cool. Don't get discouraged if you never taste those same things.

What you can't taste the notes of rosewater and morning dew?

 

[Adolfo Arguello]

I really didnt start to pick flavors up until about 2 years of smoking which is also when i learned to retrohale. Retrohaling is what helps me pick up the majority of flavors i taste in a cigar, especially the pepper and spice. Keep smoking! and eventually you will start to pick some flavors out. Here is a cigar flavor wheel with some flavors you might find in cigars.

http://www.aspiringgentleman.com/cigars/cigar-tasting-wheel/

 

[Hoshneer]

I really didnt start to pick flavors up until about 2 years of smoking which is also when i learned to retrohale. Retrohaling is what helps me pick up the majority of flavors i taste in a cigar, especially the pepper and spice. Keep smoking! and eventually you will start to pick some flavors out. Here is a cigar flavor wheel with some flavors you might find in cigars.

http://www.aspiringgentleman.com/cigars/cigar-tasting-wheel/

^ This dude, on the money.

 

[jeepthing]

Its been said does take time. Till it happens Just enjoy what you smoke. It will happen when you least expect it