Developing a pallett

[tedwj]

How does one develop a pallet? Yes I know, part of the answer is smoke lots of cigars. But for some reason I don't think anybody here is going to suggest that I go off and buy lots of Cremosa Cubana's to develop a good pallet.

Seriously is there a process or does one just pick random cigars like I have been doing? I have smoked a variety of cigars, ERDM, Montecristo (a 10 cigar sampler there was only one I didn't like), Cusano 18 (tasted "young" to me kind of like fresh cut grass), Don Kiki Red, Don Kiki Green, Partagas, AF, RyJ, Padron, Sancho Panza and even a Cremosa Cubana. Of all of them the cigar that I most enjoyed was a Partagas Decadas No. IV but a $20 a stick that just isn't going to be a daily or even weekly or monthly smoke. And I was in very good company when I smoked it. So the question is should I look purchase lots of different cigars kind of in a shotgun manner or is there a logical progression that I look for in developing my pallet?

[PuffDaddy]

As far as a methodic means of developing a pallet, I don't think there is such a thing. Making notes of what you smoke and what you liked, or disliked, about it will help. Some people smoke for years and still can't taste all the flavors in their smokes. They do know what they like though. Explore a variety (like you did with the Monte sampler) and you will learn what some of the characteristics are (earthy, leather, spice, cedar, etc). It is all about enjoyment and personal preference.
Enjoy the hobby, my

[Ivory Tower]

Good question.

I don't know, exactly. But I do know, without any offense intended at all, the word, as you're using it, is spelled palate.

I think I am pretty terrible at the whole "what does it taste like" thing. Once in a while I think I can pick something out, but then sometimes things just taste like tobacco - wtf - either good or bad. I wish I could discern more flavors. It might have something to do with my overall defective nasal passages, because I'm terrible with wine too.

[Sancho Fuente]

I am not even close to being an expert, but reading reviews has helped me alot. I read reviews on any message board/review site and whatever the general concensus (sp?) is, that is what I concentrate on. For example . . .

http://www.top25cigar.com/reviewdata...es&catpkID=686

These are the reviews for a Gurkha Expedition. Almost all of them metioned cedar or a woodsy taste. I would definetly have to agree with them. When the flavors are narrowed down, I can taste them better. It might be just my brain telling me what I should taste, but it definetly helps. I still do this for new smokes to see what I need to concentrate on.

Right now, I can pick out cedar, leather, coffee, and cocoa and know what I am tasting. I can also taste other things, but I don't know what they are. Smoking alot of the same stick for a few days will also help you pick out a few underlying tastes, at least it did for me. The only way to really devlop your palate it to keep on trying new sticks.

[Poriggity]

I have no method.. smoke a lot of cigars, and eventualy I just started picking things out. I have a decent memory with them, so I just smoke ones I like.
Scott

[tazziedevil]

The best method is to take careful note of what in a particular cigar you do-or don't like. That being said, you can learn alot, even smoking a cremosa. I started by tasting cigars "Shotgun" and made careful notes about each one-and I turned out just fine

[n2advnture]

IMHO all humans, through evolution, have developed a similar "base" palette to begin with in order to survive. - so certain tastes are easily recognized by all. (ie that's why sugars and fats taste so good to us).

The best way, again IMHO, to refine you palette to pick up sublties in smokes are these:

1.) 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.

2.) 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.

*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!

3.) 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...)

4.) 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.

5.) 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.

6.) 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.

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

Hope this help and happy smoking!
~Mark

[homeless_texan]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

IMHO all humans, through evolution, have developed a similar "base" palette to begin with in order to survive. - so certain tastes are easily recognized by all. (ie that's why sugars and fats taste so good to us).

The best way, again IMHO, to refine you palette to pick up sublties in smokes are these:

1.) 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.

2.) 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.

*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!

3.) 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...)

4.) 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.

5.) 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.

6.) 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.

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

Hope this help and happy smoking!
~Mark

I think this is excellent advice. Good reply.

[Suburbahick]

I've been wondering this myself, Im not able to discern between any flavors, i just know what i like to smoke, and I tend to smoke what I know I like...

Thanks for the advice fellas

[cquon]

I like to get on the computer after a smoke ( especially a new one) and find reviews of it to see if I tasted or perceived the same things - sometimes I get the same things, sometimes I don't. Which really doesn't affect if I smoke it again or not. The one thing that determines that is if I like it or not. I don't smoke to become an expert cigar taster, I smoke because I enjoy it.

[OpusEx]

Originally Posted by n2advnture

IMHO all humans, through evolution, have developed a similar "base" palette to begin with in order to survive. - so certain tastes are easily recognized by all. (ie that's why sugars and fats taste so good to us).

The best way, again IMHO, to refine you palette to pick up sublties in smokes are these:

1.) 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.

2.) 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.

*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!

3.) 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...)

4.) 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.

5.) 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.

6.) 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.

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

Hope this help and happy smoking!
~Mark

Great advice and I'd like to re-iterate #1 and #7! LOL One of the most important things. In addition, most people do not realize how important the nose is when it comes to smoking a cigar. If you do not release some of the smoke through your nose when exhaling, you CANNOT really taste a cigar or pick up the nuances in one. Case in point: How does your food taste when you have a cold and stuffed up nose? Exhaling through your nose may take some time getting used to and some people will find it difficult, but I recommend you try because it will open a whole new world for those who do not do it presently.

[KraZieMaN55]

I've been smoking cigars for over 15 years now and I still can't pickup all the subtle flavors yet. One flavor I would like to cross path with is fresh baked bread yum... n2advnture has a good post and I too agree with him on taking your time smoking a nice cigar and making notes for future references.

[PRguy]

n2advnture:

From a newcomer to regular cigar smoking, thanks for the great post. It's solid and helpful advice.

[Danimal]

Originally Posted by OpusEx

If you do not release some of the smoke through your nose when exhaling, you CANNOT really taste a cigar or pick up the nuances in one. Case in point: How does your food taste when you have a cold and stuffed up nose? Exhaling through your nose may take some time getting used to and some people will find it difficult, but I recommend you try because it will open a whole new world for those who do not do it presently.

I've always wondered how people do it. If smoke goes anywhere past my throat I cough but I guess that is the only way to get it out through your nose.

[17Crash]

OpusEx,

I am confused on this. I do a slight french inhale with each draw. Is that what you mean?

If you do not release some of the smoke through your nose when exhaling, you CANNOT really taste a cigar or pick up the nuances in one.