Poor palate?

[DevonS]

I'm still such a noob when it comes to cigars. I can't tell anyone with any certainty what my favorite has been so far. Part of the problem, for me anyway, is my poor palate. I've had sinus issues over the past 10 years and over the last 2 or so I have many days where my sense of taste and/or smell are pretty much non-existent. I find it very difficult if not impossible to pick up any of the flavors in a wine or a cigar, or any food for that matter. Some days are perfectly fine and I can smell the flowers, and taste the strawberries etc. Are there any other BOTLs out there who suffer from a less-than-stellar palate? Can you train it? Enhance it? Tweak your smoking technique to better capture the smells and flavors? I just really want to get the best out of these sticks.

 

[thatrev]

I have a terrible palate. I have only been able to smell out of one of my nostrils pretty much my whole life. The nostril I can smell out of switches, but I can never smell out of both. This means I can't taste what everyone else tastes, and I'm guessing it means I experience a lot less than others while smoking cigars.

I figure if I like a cigar, it really doesn't matter what it tastes like for the rest of the world. I do draw from a lot of other brothers in terms of if they like a cigar or not, but I am not one who can pick out the flavors. I do know what I like and what I don't like. I just can't tell you why.

I have refined my likes by smoking more. So smoke up and figure out the ones you like.

By the way, there are a lot of times in life where not having a sense of smell is a plus!

 

[javajunkie]

all of the fancy isht comes with experience and patience. focus on what you do get out of it, and what works for you. hell, if you just focus on texture, there is a big difference between an oliva v (oily and unctuous) and a hemmingway (drier and zestier). end of the day, pay attention to what you do enjoy, think about why you do, and try to communicate that. you never taste grahan or mint, but love the way the smoke slides over your tounge, you still in the game! o)

 

[DevonS]

Great point, javajunkie. I think the mistake I've made so far is not noting which ones I've smoked and do my own personal review. I'll try to do that from now on and really try to make note of the really good and really bad so at least I'll know what to add to my collection in the future.

 

[javajunkie]

Great point, javajunkie. I think the mistake I've made so far is not noting which ones I've smoked and do my own personal review. I'll try to do that from now on and really try to make note of the really good and really bad so at least I'll know what to add to my collection in the future.

do that! putting things into words, verbalising, REALLY helps to onderstand and retain sense information. helps with booze and food too, btw. o)

 

[sneak_a_cigar]

I'm also new. My palate is okay with things like food, wine, and spirits; so far it's just not as refined with cigars.

I focus more on how the smoke feels and the general flavor. In my mind I use terms like pungent, sweet, dry, mild, strong, etc; rather that specifics like chocolate, cedar, etc.

Your situation seems different but I hope that helps.

Sneak

 

[Herfin' Harg]

all of the fancy isht comes with experience and patience. focus on what you do get out of it, and what works for you. hell, if you just focus on texture, there is a big difference between an oliva v (oily and unctuous) and a hemmingway (drier and zestier). end of the day, pay attention to what you do enjoy, think about why you do, and try to communicate that. you never taste grahan or mint, but love the way the smoke slides over your tounge, you still in the game! o)

Well said, sir. Well said.

 

[Chemforever]

I have a terrible palate. I have only been able to smell out of one of my nostrils pretty much my whole life. The nostril I can smell out of switches, but I can never smell out of both. This means I can't taste what everyone else tastes, and I'm guessing it means I experience a lot less than others while smoking cigars.

I figure if I like a cigar, it really doesn't matter what it tastes like for the rest of the world. I do draw from a lot of other brothers in terms of if they like a cigar or not, but I am not one who can pick out the flavors. I do know what I like and what I don't like. I just can't tell you why.

I have refined my likes by smoking more. So smoke up and figure out the ones you like.

By the way, there are a lot of times in life where not having a sense of smell is a plus!

Exactly the same for me, I never know which nostril is going to be open any given day. Oddly after smoking I often seem to have better smell for a while, maybe the retrohale opens up my passages more than normal. When I do get strong flavors from sticks I am super excited and it makes my night, though. Although it sucks it's comforting to know I'm not the only one.

 

[thatrev]

I find I can smell better after the cigar as well. It doesn't last too long, but it sure is nice to be a little more "normal".

 

[Tom_CigarEmpire]

I've been trying to refine my palette by tasting stuff while I smoke, if I'm in the last third I'll usually replace water with coffee most of the time anyway.

 

[Tobacco Giant]

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/9072-Refining-Your-Pallette

 

[Treinenwj]

Don't worry too much about picking out specifics, as long as you're enjoying them. If you're really concerned, then just say things like "earthy-toned, floral essence, and hints of anise" when describing your cigars and nobody will know the difference!

 

[Cigary43]

Trying to associate tastes and flavors in cigars takes time..just like with fine wine it takes time to let your experience with different tastes associate itself to that memory. In order to do that it must be done many times to catch the nuance of cigars and the many flavors they bring to the senses...this is why some people like them and some don't. It's memory/association with certain tastes.