Refining Your Pallette

[dwhitacre]

Originally Posted by gamayrouge

Bumping and old thread with great information!

Thanks for reviving this one, Tam!!!

[schnell987]

Originally Posted by dwhitacre

Thanks for reviving this one, Tam!!!

Great suggestions...Thanks for reviving this thread, Tam.

Thanks for your terrific advice, Mark!

[Harpo]

Great bump, lots of useful info here. Thanks Mark!

[Beatnikbandit]

Originally Posted by JMAC

...That was a very good article but what I really want to know is - what was the cigar that had the dried apricot notes? I love dried apricots and have never found that in a smoke.

Actually I would be interested in this also as I Never really detect fruit like flavors in my smokes. (I tend to choose smokes with a coca nutty woody type taste anyway) Although I will say I doubt I would pick it up the first time either as my palate isn't that good. It would be nice though as it sounds like it tasted good and I would like to see if I could pick it up also. I think I am one of those with low taste as it is very hard for me to pick out subtle tones. This is one of the reasons I try to get smokes with strong cocoa, mocha, woody and leathery tones as I tend to taste them better.

You make some of the best posts on these type of things even after a few years of smoking (less than most of you) but still I learn something in almost every one you post. Thank you.

[Lorglath]

great post! thank you, +RG.

[psu08]

Great post. Very informative. Thanks!

[longburn]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

I have seen lots of posts lately in regards to "refining a pallette" so I thought I'd toss my $.02 in.

The key reason for refining your pallette is to aide in picking up the sublties in your smokes, so here are a few tips that I belive will help you out:

1.) A "refined" palette doesn't come over night and isn't available to everyone. Genetics has a lot to do with it as well, so don't get discouraged. The main key is to try a WIDE variety of cigars and to concentrate on them when smoking. (ie: Don't be working on your car or mowing your lawn.)

2.) Smoke slower! Remember the one minute rule between draws. This is the most common reason people don't pick up certain flavors. For one, they smoke too fast which causes a cigar to get hot and bitter. Secondly, because they are smoking to quickly, they don't have a chance to savor the flavors and don't concentrate on them. Try it, I guarantee you will pick up more flavor.

3.) After taking a draw and expelling the smoke, take some air in through your nose and mouth (at the same time if you can do it). By drawing air through you mouth and nose you pull some concentrated flavors across your ofactures and can usually pick up a ton of subtle flavors this way.

4.) Drink water. Try not to drink anything that will over power or effect the flavor of your smoke. As you get good at decerning what flavors are in a smoke, you can then pair beverages that will compliment those flavors. (Rums, scotches, coffees, etc...)

5.) Read reviews. I am a firm believer in the "smoke what you like and like what you smoke" but reviews (and MRN's book) are a great GUIDE to leading you in the direction of smokes that fit your preferred flavor profile(s). I am not saying go buy a box of ANYTHING based on a review. If a review or a couple of reviews describe flavors that seem to be in your preferred flavor profile, then pick up a couple to try for yourself before committing to a box.

6.) Smoke a cigar that has been reviewed and try to follow along with the reviewer. You'll be amazed at how smoking along with someone else's notes will help you pick up flavors that you couldn't put your finger on.

7.) Take notes for yourself! Break the cigar down into thirds (first 1/3, second 1/3, final 1/3). Most cigars change flavor in these areas so it's a good general rule to follow. By taking your own notes, you slow down and concentrate on the flavors.

8.) SMOKE SLOWER! - It is worth mentioning twice.

9.) Once you get these basic techniques down and manage to concentrate on flavors and not techniques (like smoking slower!) I HIGHLY recommend blowing a little smoke through your nose about 2-3 times during each third. Some may argue that they do it every time but I do think there can be too much as the nasal cavity is sensitive and the hot smoke may effect it's ability to decern flavors later in the smoking experience. (You need to find a happy medium for yourself though).

I remember when I first tried it I did too much smoke and I thought my nose was going to burn off...my eyes wouldn't stop watering! LOL!

10.) Try new cuisines & beverages! Foods & beverages are a great way to develop a pallette. Concentrate on each bit and try to pick up the herbs, spices, etc...

*Side note - I was smoking a small stick one time on my drive home from work and it had a certain flavor that I just couldn't relate to what it was. I was driving my crazy! So when I got home I opened the spice cabinet and sniffed through (and tasted) them all. Couldn't figure it out. A week later, I was enjoying dinner at one of our favorite places and BAM! I tasted the flavor in my meal that I had tasted in the smoke. Dried Apricots!

Hope this helps and happy smoking my friends!

~Mark

Mark,

Thank you! What a great informative post.This is something i've been looking for years for.I've been enjoying cigars for almost 30 years now but have never understood all the fruit,nut,oak,leather,wood and what have you people have been tasteing.

I know a cigar when I like one,I can identify when one is strong or mild,I can identify spice (I think) but distinct flavors elude me.But i'm going to try your suggestions and see if that helps.

One question though, do I have to chew on some wood,leather,oak...maybe eat a little dirt etc before I can know what it tastes like so I can recognize it in my cigars?

[saigon68]

Great information. Thanks for your personal experience. I'm sure it was a rewarding journey. I find that this site is similar to a classroom exercise in that there is so much to learn. It's not about just picking up a stogie, banging it out & moving on. I try very hard to discern the various characteristics & flavors of each cigar I smoke. To be honest to date I have had only one revelation regarding a cigar's "taste" and that was a hint of caramel I noticed in a RP Sun Grown that nearly leveled me. I have never noted a hint of "meat" in any cigar, however that won't stop me from continuing my homework re the thirds. Thanks again.

[Marinero]

Great POst,,,,, it will be of great help.....

Thanks,..,,

By the Way,,, what is the one minute rule??? Can you explain more in details?

[bogner]

one puff pr minute - so the cigar won't get too hot .. some puff 2-3 times pr minute

[suretolose]

Outstanding advice. Thanks.

[Classico]

Simple but sound advice. I look forward to enjoying my next smoke.

[SCS]

Mark, I read your post yesterday at work on my lunch break. I've known for a while that I need to really slow down when smoking, but your post really hammered it home.

The suggestion to take notes was a big help. I smoked a Perdomo Fresh Rolled Torpedo last night, and literally took a short note on each puff. Doing so really made me slow down and concentrate on the cigar. Light, 77 puffs, and two hours twenty minutes later I had a great cigar experience.

[smokin_dean]

Great advice! I'm a newbie and can use it.

[nofeardiver]

Wow, i had no idea of these things as i am still new to cigars. I have been wondering for the past 8 months what everyone was talking about nuts and oak flavors, and such. But never could really figure it out for myself. I have picked up cedar accents before, but rare. Thanks for posting your experience and knowledge it won't be forgotten.

thanks again

dan