Is there a "moment"?

[CATom]

Thanks guys, great advice!

Sounds like retro is gonna play a big part! While I do retro hale, I'm sure I could be more consistent and controlled. Seems like as Lind as I'm not smoking a liga I can retro just fine, but ligas make my eyes water and my sinuses scream for relief! I will definatly pay more attention to my retro.
Ill also keep a little note pad to write down what if anything I'm picking up flavor wise. Might even help to keep the ADHD at bay by making me write it down. It does seem like when I can clear my head and concentrate on the cigar I get more from it, which make sense.
Again I appreciate all the advice and more is always welcome. Seems like time and experience will also play a part.

 

[StogieNinja]

Here's my tip on retrohaling: go slow and start small.

I usually blow 75% of the smoke out my mouth first, and then let the final 25% flow through my nose. Don't blow it or force it, let it trail through slowly. Blowing most of the smoke out of your mouth first ensures that what does come through your nose will be a little cooler, and letting it flow through slowly will help you pick up more flavor as it moves through.

If even 25% of the smoke is too much, try 10%. If even that seems too harsh, blow all the smoke out of your mouth, then close your mouth and exhale a little through your nose, and even the tiny bit that you get through there will open up new dimensions of flavor.

After you've been doing it a while, you'll grow accustomed to it and you'll be able to do a little more over time. I still tend to only retrohale 25% or so as that tends to give me the best flavor without any of the pain or discomfort.

 

[Hoshneer]

^^^ This

 

[skullnbones]

I'm a cigarette smoker as well and I know it can really screw up you palette. I've found that drinking something tannic like cranberry juice or green tea can really help cleanse your palette before you start smoking.

 

[derwood]

I'm in the same boat. Actually got pretty discouraged about it last year when I first started getting more into cigars. Had this idea I was going to start out tasting all these great flavors....and my palate just isn't there yet. Just really started back up, and have been practicing retro-haling thanks to suggestions from others...which has helped some. For now, I'm going to just be patient, and enjoy them. I think the rest will come with time...

 

[The EVP]

Retro-haling!!! Most people make the mistake in that they try to taste flavors when they suck the smoke in. Your tounge only detects 4 flavors....salt, sweet, bitter and sour. 90% of what you taste is from your sense of smell. It's the main reason food tastes bland when you have a cold. Every now and then blow the smoke out of your nose, then take a quick gasp of air and slowly blow that out through your nose as well. You'll soon find that you are detecting more flavors. Another thing I would recommend is to take a wine tasting course as wine tasting and cigar tasting go pretty much the same way. It's all about your sense of smell.

 

[fsfrancis]

Here's my tip on retrohaling: go slow and start small.

I usually blow 75% of the smoke out my mouth first, and then let the final 25% flow through my nose. Don't blow it or force it, let it trail through slowly. Blowing most of the smoke out of your mouth first ensures that what does come through your nose will be a little cooler, and letting it flow through slowly will help you pick up more flavor as it moves through.

If even 25% of the smoke is too much, try 10%. If even that seems too harsh, blow all the smoke out of your mouth, then close your mouth and exhale a little through your nose, and even the tiny bit that you get through there will open up new dimensions of flavor.

After you've been doing it a while, you'll grow accustomed to it and you'll be able to do a little more over time. I still tend to only retrohale 25% or so as that tends to give me the best flavor without any of the pain or discomfort.

I agree with this...when you start a stick make each retrohale small in the beginning. I find that as the stick progresses I can reto more of it. Its kinda like your nostrils get used to the smoke as you go, and can handle more of it. Be careful though...if you retro a lot, you'll get a whole lot more buzz from each smoke.

 

[Constantine]

For me, it all depends on the factors involved for the best flavor. Such as, If I was to eat chocolate or any food for that matter that changes the taste of the cigar afterwards. Or lets say I drank something a little too hot, that would change the way my taste buds taste the cigar. I tend to smoke at least 3-4 hours after eating, unless I know it is a strong smoke then I will eat a good meal, wait a half hour or so and maybe drink some water to clear my taste buds out.

There has been a few times when I have smoked a cigar in the mornings on an empty stomach, and for me it gives off a completely different taste. I don't know if it is because no food has "dulled" the taste buds for the day, but it really brings out the flavor of that particular cigar.Beyond food I have found doing certain activity's will change the taste as well, such as heavy garden work or the like etc...up until now I have never really realized how complex smoking cigars can be! lol, I guess to sum it all up you have to take your environmental factors into account

As for the retro-haling, I can only do it on mild-medium cigars and some full body ones. Anything other then mild-mediums and my nose gets destroyed, and the entire taste of the cigar goes out the window.

 

[jpasser4]

I'm so happy this thread was started because I have learned a lot. Thanks!!

 

[Evan]

put it into words! the best thing when forming a palate, and this goes for stogies, spirits, food, anything, is to try and verbalize it. one, it makes you sit back and consider it, causes you to reflect. two, it helps lock the experience in the brain, slowly building a vocabulary of tastes and flavors. whether writing down notes, doing a live review here, or talking it over face to face while herfing, actually spelling it out, or trying to, makes a huge difference.

I'm quoting this because I think this is the best thing you can do if you want to to actually recognize flavors. You'll have a difficult time building your palate If you're just sitting there, smoking your cigar and waiting for it to hit you like a winning lottery ticket.
It is in your mind as much as your sense of smell/taste... After all, it is your mind that is interpreting and decoding it all.

If you sit down with pen and paper (and maybe one of those nifty flavor/fragrance wheels) you might make some good progress.

 

[GoingPostal]

A lot of great suggestions and retro does help but not necessary. Don't look for flavors just let them come to you. Java junkie gave great advice don't search for flavors experience them. Remember you can only taste flavors that you know, coffee is used to describe cigars but that doesnt mean anything to someone who has never drank coffee.