Picking out certain taste.

[usmcpurcell]

I've read reviews where guys mention all the different taste in a cigar. I can't ever seem to pick those out except for today. I'm sitting here smoking a AF and can pick out the sweet and cedar notes in it. Is this something that comes as my palate matures since I'm still relatively new to the game? I'm stoked that I can finally actually know what its like to pick a certain taste out well atleast with this smoke anyway.

 

[javajunkie]

it's more like the difference detween hearing and listening. just smoking is passive, but tasting is active, requiring attention. and the more you try to do it, the better you become.

yes, there is a certain jargon, but mostly it is paying attention to tour tongue and nose, and picking up on the free associations from your brain.

my take on it, anyway. o)

 

[USCG Cigar Newb]

Congrats and let it begin. If you can detect flavors great, if not, people should not force it and detract from the experience, it will come slowly with experience. With that said, picking out the flavors is what started me with Cigar Smoking. I have for several years enjoyed wines and learning about the affects of the terroir.

 

[usmcpurcell]

Yeah I'm not one to nub a cigar I usually just smoke it to the band and call it quits but I burned my fingers on this one. Now I just want to smoke more to see if I can do the same with a stronger cigar.

 

[iCraig]

Patience, Practice and Pat Attention. I don't pick up a lot of flavors all of the time and I also come across a lot I can't place pretty often. To me a lot of the time a cigar is either good or it's bad. And that's about it. But it's definitely nice to be able to taste something that reminds me of a specific flavor..

 

[heavyd]

I don't usually try to describe the "flavors" I detect. The basic one's are easy: Leather, pepper, etc. The more advanced palates describe stuff like "Eastern Bohemian Nutmeg" and "Cool Cinnamon." . I can't do that, and if I could taste such delicacies, I would just enjoy them without trying to put a name to them.

 

[rdm3000]

I've found that I cannot consistently notice certain notes in cigars even during one session of smoking I might only notice anything specifically 3 or 4 times and the rest of the time I just enjoy the cigar.

 

[Monsterdg]

I don't usually try to describe the "flavors" I detect. The basic one's are easy: Leather, pepper, etc. The more advanced palates describe stuff like "Eastern Bohemian Nutmeg" and "Cool Cinnamon." . I can't do that, and if I could taste such delicacies, I would just enjoy them without trying to put a name to them.

Now Western Bohemian Nutmeg will jump right out at you.

Try this site, it might help to have a list if you are looking for particular flavors, or cant' quite put your finger on what a flavor might be. http://www.stogiefresh.com/docs/Cigar-Flavor-Chart.pdf

 

[orangedog]

nice! hope future cigars bring a similar experience!

 

[Alwayslit]

Nice. Trust me after years of smoking you'll be able to tell if the roller washed their hands affer using the bathroom:wink:

 

[HafaDaiBoi]

When I first started smoking cigars a lifetime ago (last April) and did not know any better, I got a laugh at some of the descriptions in many reviews I've read. Now that I know better, I understand how many who have an insane palate for flavors can arrive at those flavors. But "hazalnut" still sets off my "shenanigans" meter!

 

[ciggy]

Yep...as you progress so will your taste and the flavors on the tongue. For me I think it was a year of solid smoking everyday. I 've smoked cigars really since I was a teen but didn't take it seriously till about three years ago. I've learned alot and come along way...so will you!
Hence my quote!

 

[ChazHollywood]

For me it's been about learning the vocabulary. There are plenty of flavors I come across over and over in different cigars, but I don't necessarily have names for. I've found reading reviews helps me figure out what people call those flavors. 'cause let's face it, some of these labels people apply to flavors are a bit of a stretch...

-Charles

 

[Angry Bill]

Actually doesnt mean anything if you cannot pick out certain flavors. What matters is if the cigar provides you enjoyment or not!

 

[usmcpurcell]

Yeah I always enjoy the taste of what I smoke but I've not been able to tell you why just that its good atleast with that AF I could point it out.

 

[cartisdm]

I know what you mean. When I first started getting into serious cigar smoking, I was getting a little annoyed that everything tasted the same to me. I remember smoking a Perdomo Cuban Parejo and it suddenly hit me with some cedar notes. That taste profile stuck with me as I smoked other sticks and became easier to identify.

Months later I smoked a Tat Black Label and my jaw literally dropped. There were all sorts of flavors hitting me. I couldn't identify 90% of them but they were there for sure. Ever since then I've been trying to get that back and once in a while it happens when the conditions are right. Here's what helps me:

- Smoke slowly. If you smoke to quickly it gets harsh and tastes burnt
- Drink water
- Smoke alone and focus on the cigar during each puff

Once you get that down, you can break from the rules a bit and you'll still get to enjoy your sticks

 

[usmcpurcell]

Yeah I'm always smoking alone due to my 12 hour work days I usually get to smoke around 1 in the morning and I actually time my puffs I know sounds odd but I don't want to over heat the somke so I use a stopwatch and and every 1 mintute 10-20 seconds I take a draw.

 

[sean]

Timing is crucial... you'll more likely to pull out flavors faster while smoking in longer intervals.

I recently started "retro-haling" and find that it helps get the flavors to "pop"

 

[aroma]

... I actually time my puffs I know sounds odd but I don't want to over heat the somke so I use a stopwatch and and every 1 mintute 10-20 seconds I take a draw.

You might enjoy my puff-o-matic web app.

 

[usmcpurcell]

Sweet I know ill eventually be able to tell how long to wait before each puff but that's pretty neat.