can't taste the cigar

[booker11]

i started smoking a couple weeks ago as a social thing. I didn't really mind the cigars but I was never able to taste or enjoy them. I just smoked them cause all my friends were doing it. About a quarter of the way through my 5th or 6th cigar i started to taste it and i really enjoyed the rest of the cigar. I got really excited but then when i smoked my next cigar I couldn't taste that one either.

Is this normal? If I keep smoking cigars will I eventually develop a taste for them?

[Cypress]

Welcome to Puff. What kind of cigar were you smoking? It is quite possible they gave you a mild cigar or a dud because you are a newbie.

[booker11]

the last cigar i smoked was a $13 romeo y julieta. i bought it two days before I smoked it and I don't have a humidor and its been pretty dry lately but could that entirely kill the taste of the cigar?

[Tarks]

What kind of Romeo y Julieta???

[booker11]

im not sure exactly what type but it was a mild cigar and it was $13. the owner of the cigar shop seemed pretty nice, I don't think he would try to rip me off.

[pitbulljimmy]

I think the what kind was more a Cuban or Non-Cuban RyJ. I've never had an NC RyJ... But every Cuban RyJ I've had has been fantastic!

When you said you can't taste it... Do you mean NO flavors AT ALL?? Or is all you taste is burning tobacco smoke? I've never heard of anyone NOT TASTING a cigar AT ALL.... Weird!

[gjcab09]

Maybe try a maduro?

[Rodeo]

Do you have a cold? I do right now and I don't even bother ligiting up because they either taste horrible or I don't tast anything at all.

If you are otherwise pretty healthy right now, grab something bolder and see how you do. Try an Oliva Series V or Padilla 1932 or Don Pepin Blue Label or almost any Camacho.

Good Luck! Steve

[booker11]

well i taste the smoke but they're aren't any pleasant tastes

[ZedR2]

When I smoke a cigar I always have something to drink , doesn't have to be booze just something to sip on and clear your mouth out !

[hangnail]

Originally Posted by ZedR2

When I smoke a cigar I always have something to drink , doesn't have to be booze just something to sip on and clear your mouth out !

i always have something to drink, water, coffee, tea, or rum

but i struggle at tastes, i mean i can tell what i like and don't like, but i can not tell flavors, other than spices.

i can't even tell stengths, i just go off reviews by the experts

[smokin nightly]

I am kind of the same...I can taste leather...and spice or pepper, but that is about all...I know when a cigar is unpleasant tho...I have been smoking for 6 years or so...

[ongreystreet]

I would highly recommend Oliva's for getting to know different tastes in cigars. They have a wide variety, Os, Gs, Vs, Master Blends, and Nubs. The Nubs are good examples of cigars that are all a similar size and but straight up tell you what's different (Conn, Maduro, Cameroon, etc.). These along with Rockys, Punch, and CAO are B&M staples these days and will go a long way to helping distinguish what you do and don't like and what your local rep or salesman might suggest.

My favorite can't miss cigars are the La Gloria Cubana Series R.

[RobustBrad]

You mentioned have a dry Romeo Y Julieta and if that was the cause of not tasting the cigar. That is spot on.

If a cigar is not at is appropriate humidity level it will completely ruin any flavors or enjoyment to be had. When buying cigars makes sure it's from a reputable BM cigar shop.

I've had many issues in the past when buying a cigar on the spot in a restaurant or a bar that focuses on drinks and food. Problem there is storing cigars at there prime humidity temperature is probobly one of the last things on there mind.

Best case scenario: Buy a cigar, weather it's from online or your local cigar shop, bring it to YOUR humidor and let it settle down for a couple days before you spark it up.

Cheers,
Brad

[e-man]

Different parts of the tongue taste different things. See if you can "FEEL" the flavors on different parts of your tongue. You should feel a full flavored cigar on the entire surface of the tongue. Others, you may only notice more on the middle or the outer edges.


Smell has a lot to do with flavors too. Some like to French inhale to enhance flavor, but I don't like smoke up my nose. After I exhale, I puff my cheeks out and release the air (no smoke) out through my nose a few times. It brings out some of the subtle flavors that you might otherwise miss.

There's a good sticky on refining your palette.


EDIT: I'm betting you've been smoking milds as well. The tars build up more and more as you smoke. If you only get flavor at towards the end, then you're getting the flavor of the burning tar. Go get something by Pepin and see if you still can't taste anything.