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Help me identify a flavor profile

jimrockford

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I've smoked a few cigars lately that have a certain flavor that I really like but can't identify. I experience it most when I retrohale and get kind of a toasty, nutty impression, but my palate is not mature enough to tell for sure.

Anyway, those three smokes arre the My Father No. 1, Tatuaje Cojonu 2009, and of all things, a CI Legends Series yellow label. I just realized Don Pepin Garcia is involved with all three. I wonder if they share some of the same tobacco. If so, I guess that makes the Legend a hell of a value.

Has anyone else noticed the similarity between these smokes? And, can you give me some ideas of what that flavor profile might be?
 
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This could be a couple of things as we all taste differently.

For me that sounds like a graham cracker or toasted almond flavor. Maybe even some cedar type flavor.

I'd check out a "flavor wheel" and see if that helps.
 

Dread

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I call it the "burnt popcorn flavor" :rolling:

I dont mean that in a bad way, its actually a very nice flavor despite my descriptions name
 

Clint

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Ask 10 different people what they taste in those cigars, and you could easily get 10 different answers.

Here's the question....What does it taste like to YOU?

If it tastes like graham crackers to you, then you should call it that, because that what it tastes like to your palate.
 

iCraig

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Ask 10 different people what they taste in those cigars, and you could easily get 10 different answers.

Here's the question....What does it taste like to YOU?

If it tastes like graham crackers to you, then you should call it that, because that what it tastes like to your palate.
That's one thing I've been learning lately. I've been checking reviews of new sticks I've been trying before and after smoking. While some flavors I agree with, I don't always taste others. Maybe it's my pallette not being mature enough, but I still enjoying the sticks and I like being able to pick out the flavors I especially enjoy.
 

SkinsFanLarry

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That's one thing I've been learning lately. I've been checking reviews of new sticks I've been trying before and after smoking. While some flavors I agree with, I don't always taste others. Maybe it's my pallette not being mature enough, but I still enjoying the sticks and I like being able to pick out the flavors I especially enjoy.
Craig, the important thing is you are picking out flavors "you" enjoy....some of the flavor descriptions that are used "you" may never experience, mature pallette or not.

Only you will know if your pallette is maturing as you smoke more often and experiemnt with different cigars.

I know I don't get all of the flavors that are used by other BOTL'ers or the different cigar magazines and websites, I just know what I like and enjoy.

That's another reason I like Nestor Miranda's quote about the cigars he manufactures (it's my signature line).
 
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jimrockford

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This could be a couple of things as we all taste differently.

For me that sounds like a graham cracker or toasted almond flavor. Maybe even some cedar type flavor.

I'd check out a "flavor wheel" and see if that helps.
I didn't even mention the slightly sweet taste, but that's part of it too, and lends itself to your graham cracker description.

Am I correct that all three cigars share a common profile? I'm not too concerned with assigning a name to the flavor I guess. Really, I just want to know if I'm at least picking up the flavor I think I am.
 

Clint

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But here again...You may think two of the cigars seem to fit a certain overall profile, where the next guy might say one does....Or all three.

Instead of trying to label the profile of a cigar, let the cigar label itself by YOUR standards.....

Just my two cents!!
 

iCraig

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Craig, the important thing is you are picking out flavors "you" enjoy....some of the flavor descriptions that are used "you" may never experience, mature pallette or not.

Only you will know if your pallette is maturing as you smoke more often and experiemnt with different cigars.

I know I don't get all of the flavors that are used by other BOTL'ers or the different cigar magazines and websites, I just know what I like and enjoy.

That's another reason I like Nestor Miranda's quote about the cigars he manufactures (it's my signature line).
Thanks Larry. Sometimes I wonder if I'm tasting what I should be, but I'm definitely realizing that there is no "should" only what I do taste.

I figure as long as I'm enjoying my sticks, that's good enough for me. :cbig:
 

Clint

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Thanks Larry. Sometimes I wonder if I'm tasting what I should be, but I'm definitely realizing that there is no "should" only what I do taste.

I figure as long as I'm enjoying my sticks, that's good enough for me. :cbig:
Well said! And that's the beauty of it...Different smokes for different folks :)
 
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Like everyone has said, Taste is really dependent on the smoker. I think of it similarly to how people have different personalities. Viewing someones reviews on flavors gives you an insight into palette preferences and lots of other stuff. That's why I personally love reading reviews. There are no wrong answers just palette personalities. =) Would love to see more people take a crack at reviews. Definitely good stuff. Aroma de Cuba is one of my favorites out of the few that I've smoked so far.
 
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I don't try to differentiate every flavor. You mentioned Pepin, and I am a Pepin whore. Although all of Pepin's sticks are different, I have found one overall flavor in all of Pepin's cigars. It is Pepin's Barnyard. In English, that is an earthy taste/smell IMO.

To be honest, I think that flavor is more about Nicaragua's soil more than anything else.
 

jimrockford

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I think everyone here is correct. The smoking experience is unique to the individual. I know in my case, I can differentiate between the flavors that I experience, but I have a hard time correlating those tastes to food or spices like so many others can. The only reason that matters to me is that I'd like to be able to try new cigars based on descriptions from other BOTLs and know what to expect. But, i guess that goes back to the fact that we all perceive things differently.

In the end, I generally like more cigars than I don't, so I guess it's not that big of a deal.
 

awhitaker

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I always like reading reviews of the cigar I'm currently smoking. It helps me pick out flavors. For instance I'm smoking a Padilla 32 Salamon 2009 ed. Limitada and getting tons of pepper in the first inch that's now starting to mellow. I'm curious what others have experienced, so now I'm going to search for some reviews and compare.
 

Dread

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I always like reading reviews of the cigar I'm currently smoking. It helps me pick out flavors. For instance I'm smoking a Padilla 32 Salamon 2009 ed. Limitada and getting tons of pepper in the first inch that's now starting to mellow. I'm curious what others have experienced, so now I'm going to search for some reviews and compare.
I do this as well. Or if Im writing a review myself as soon as Ive finshed my own review I goto a credible review site and compare tasting notes. Its a great way to train the palette.
 

Clint

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I think everyone here is correct. The smoking experience is unique to the individual. I know in my case, I can differentiate between the flavors that I experience, but I have a hard time correlating those tastes to food or spices like so many others can. The only reason that matters to me is that I'd like to be able to try new cigars based on descriptions from other BOTLs and know what to expect. But, i guess that goes back to the fact that we all perceive things differently.

In the end, I generally like more cigars than I don't, so I guess it's not that big of a deal.
Yes...That is tough when you notice a distinct flavor, but you can't figure out exactly what food, spice, etc. that it tastes like.

I just keep pondering on it until suddenly I go "white pepper! It tastes like white pepper!"

Also, try identifying something close to the flavor, as it will lead you down the right track.
 

ciggy

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Totaly agree with the comments on this thread. I've been on BOTL for almost a year now and still find myself fasinated with the reviews givin. I've smoked cigars along time and my pallet is not refined enough to tell nutmeg from gramcracker. Some of these fellows really have it lucky to be able to pick out thoes little flavors, however I still find myself buying one if I like what is written about it. Out of all the reviews I would say mybe half of the ones I believed would be in my flavor profile have let me down. The bottem line is only you will have the say on what you like and it's flavor. All you can do is gamble on what the rest of us say.
 
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