suggestion from newbie for other newbies

[DonC]

Hello ... total noob here, doing the recommended "one stick at a time" perusal of various cigars.

I made a quick reference chart for the cigars I have had so far (see pic) so that I can compare them and have a record of what I liked, didn't like, and so forth. You'll see from the comments I have written that I really don't know what I am doing, yet, so it's really just a record of what I have smoked. I assume that as I gain experience I might try a more comprehensive review, such as Tad Gage's point-scoring worksheet (and look back at this and laugh), but this seemed like an easy way to get started. Any suggestions from the cognoscenti? I am sure this can be improved, but I'd like to keep it simple.

Perhaps somebody else getting started (on his/her own, without a "mentor") may find this useful. :dunno:

 

[Tobacco Giant]

Refining your palette.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=9072

The only thing in here I disagree with is the retrohale part. Blowing smoke through the nose has never helped me or been enjoyable in the least, but IMO the rest of this post is phenomenal, and you could use these techniques to make some more detailed notes.

 

[orangedog]

Best advice i can give... Put $2 away for every cigar you buy. In 3 years, you'll have enough set aside for a really nice cabinet. Which you'll need.

 

[DonC]

Refining your palette.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=9072

The only thing in here I disagree with is the retrohale part. Blowing smoke through the nose has never helped me or been enjoyable in the least, but IMO the rest of this post is phenomenal, and you could use these techniques to make some more detailed notes.

I have read Mark's excellent discussion. It did improve the way I enjoyed the past few cigars I had.

Best advice i can give... Put $2 away for every cigar you buy. In 3 years, you'll have enough set aside for a really nice cabinet. Which you'll need.

I do have a nice (and large) humidor/cabinet, but I have, like, four cigars in it at the moment and have only every had six or seven. I am not even going to think about getting any bundles/boxes until I have had a lot more singles and have figured out what I like and what I want in a "go to" cigar. I am content for it to sit there near-empty for a while.

 

[Burning Man]

Great advice here from the brothers. The only thing that I would suggest is to go through and read all the stickies in the forums along with the Coolidor Primer. Had I read them all it would have saved me lots of cash!!!! DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND READ THEM.
Enjoy the wonderful world of cigars and I'll see you at the bottom of this slippery slope!

 

[dpricenator]

I used this one for quite some time. Has a place to glue the band down, and all the pertinent info too.

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/html/cig101_5cac.asp

 

[Dave]

Refining your palette.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=9072

The only thing in here I disagree with is the retrohale part. Blowing smoke through the nose has never helped me or been enjoyable in the least,

Don't think I could disagree more (for me, at least.) By far, MOST of the taste/flavor that I get from any cigar is on the retrohale. I didn't retrohale for my first year of smoking cigars, but once I did, it was the first time I really tasted a cigar.

 

[The EVP]

Refining your palette.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=9072

The only thing in here I disagree with is the retrohale part. Blowing smoke through the nose has never helped me or been enjoyable in the least, but IMO the rest of this post is phenomenal, and you could use these techniques to make some more detailed notes.

The majority of what you taste has to do with your sense of smell. The tounge can only disguish four flavors: salt, sour, sweet and bitter. Everything else comes from your sense of smell. Most people don't retrohale correctly. Once you blow the smoke out though your nose and mouth, take a quick gasp of air (as if someone just scared you) and exhale through your nose. That should help you taste the smaller nuances in a cigar's flavor profile. Take a wine tasting course...it will help you out tremendously.

 

[T-Squared]

Not a bad idea, not a lot of description on what you liked or didn't like perse on the sticks you've had (in case you were going to use it for those purposes). I was thinking about doing somethin similar, but ended up smoking faster than I could write But I do keep a band from every cigar I get enjoyment from, and place it in a container at home with brief notes on the back of the band (1-5 rating..., quick note of strength, and maybe a little more info if space on the band).

 

[Fourtotheflush]

The only thing I would add to your list is the wrapper.
You will find you gravitate toward ones over the other.
Over time you will move around a bit.

 

[The EVP]

I kept a cigar journal when I first started...for about 3 months. But I soon found myself focusing so much on what to write that I forgot to enjoy the cigar and the smoking experience. They're good for when you first start out, but once you start figuring out what you like and don't like, you probably won't need the journal anymore. But good luck with it and remember..take time out to enjoy the cigar too.

 

[JDog]

Refining your palette.

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=9072

The only thing in here I disagree with is the retrohale part. Blowing smoke through the nose has never helped me or been enjoyable in the least, but IMO the rest of this post is phenomenal, and you could use these techniques to make some more detailed notes.

I agree - for more full body cigars all I taste with a full retrohale is raisins. I'll often due a smaller retrohale and with that I can pick up some nuanced things more easily. But, I'm not a retrohale fan other than the fact I think I look cool when doing it. :cbig:

Concerning the overall topic - I've been writing in a Cigar Dossier for probably close to 7 years? I have 3 incomplete books. It's amazing how your palate will change. The reason I have three books is there are large gaps between when I took my notes... I defiantly recommend doing it... takes discipline, but you get to learn what you like a lot faster! I'm still disappointed that I have large gaps of time in my Dossiers.

 

[yellen]

I had/still have an app on my iPhone to keep track on my stash and keep notes on the sticks but after 3 weeks of usage I got scared at the amount of cigars I had smoked and the money spent. I feel less guilty now ;p

 

[fireman mike]

Best advice i can give... Put $2 away for every cigar you buy. In 3 years, you'll have enough set aside for a really nice cabinet. Which you'll need.

This^^^

 

[XJJoe01]

I keep the bands in a small container of the sticks I like. Personally, I am burning through a ton of Lot 23s right now and lovin them!

-Joe