How long before I can taste the different flavors?

BroncoKings

I've read people tasting coffee, nutty, leather etc. flavors, I can definitely tell between a peppery stick and non pepper. I'm a newbie only 6 months. 
 

Trident

It all just takes practice.  read @kuzi16  post about developing your palate.  enjoy the hobby

kuzi16

It's all different for different people.  It didn't take me too long but I've seen people that never really become able to taste many nuances ever....
But they still enjoy the hobby. If you put the cigar to your lips and draw and you like it then it is a good cigar

Rhamlin

kuzi16 said:

It's all different for different people.  It didn't take me too long but I've seen people that never really become able to taste many nuances ever....
But they still enjoy the hobby. If you put the cigar to your lips and draw and you like it then it is a good cigar

That's me. I mean I can pick out cocoa and spice. And the smoky flavor of the new fire cured's and occasionally licorice but that's pretty much it. But I've never tried to develop my palette either I just enjoy smoking cigars. 

Bob_Luken

BroncoKings said:

Never mind I read the post for newbies

Sorry, I still wanna talk about it. Haha. 

I think that just because I can't put a label on it doesn't mean I can't taste it. 

I cannot often put a label on the different flavors I'm experiencing but, who's to say I don't taste the same nuances that anybody else does? It feels like I don't know the language when compared to guys who are "labeling" things with confidence. 

I don't know how to understand or speak Portuguese but I like the way it sounds in Brazilian music. 

Woodguarden

This is an interesting topic. I have had the opportunity to discuss this with a few manufacturers and people in the business for many years. I was surprised that most said it's BS.

To a point, you can detect certain notes, but most of it is a marketing thing. It's very suggestive, if I give you a cigar and told you it had a marshmallow finish, more than likely you would detect some marshmallow.

I think some things like spice, perhaps coffee notes, certainly an earthy flavor can be detected. Others like cashews, coriander, leather etc not so sure... It's not everyday I chew on a piece of leather to really know what that tastes like.

Rhamlin

Woodguarden said:

This is an interesting topic. I have had the opportunity to discuss this with a few manufacturers and people in the business for many years. I was surprised that most said it's BS.

To a point, you can detect certain notes, but most of it is a marketing thing. It's very suggestive, if I give you a cigar and told you it had a marshmallow finish, more than likely you would detect some marshmallow.

I think some things like spice, perhaps coffee notes, certainly an earthy flavor can be detected. Others like cashews, coriander, leather etc not so sure... It's not everyday I chew on a piece of leather to really know what that tastes like.

I also talked once to someone in the manufacturing side of the business and he said the same thing. 

jarubla

I think a large part of it (for me) are the contributing factors. Meaning, what did I eat before, what state of mind am I in, am I smoking slowly, trying to determine the pace at which it should be smoked (sometimes pushing it to the limit before it goes out/before it needs a relight), and writing down what I taste, trying to describe it?

Further, what company am I enjoying? Or am I alone? Sometimes smoking alone is a pleasure; sometimes I wish my wife didn't have to work in a few hours and were with me. 

I do follow convention and try to analyze the cigar in thirds; without fail (again, for me), each cigar starts with a subtle toasty marshmallow-ness in the beginning third. Without fail, it ends in a over the head drubbing of spicy nic hit towards the nub.

THAT being said I have smoked a few sticks that were so powerful that I struggled to enjoy them. I gave them the old college try, but without fail ditched them in the second third. They just didn't taste good, and, confession time, I couldn't quite say why (LOL). If I had to try and say why, I would say it was due to a drying flavor; alum or salt.

I mostly drink water during my cigar time; occasionally a beer or some port. I also spit frequently during smoking.

I've tried to research the cigar tasting wheel and that helps a little. 

If I may offer some suggestions, as one newb to another; try a shiz ton of stuff, try and write a few impressions down about the stick, and most of all, enjoy.

For me, cigar time (or pipe time), is zen time.

Good luck, BOTL!

-Jay

ExpendableYouth

I say whatever gets the taste of hooker spit, and malt liquor out of my mouth is fine with me. Wait you said flavors?

BroncoKings

Never mind I read the post for newbies

skydiverD

It takes exactly 5 months, 21 days, 4 hours, 28 minutes and 33 seconds. 

raisindot

skydiverD said:

It takes exactly 5 months, 21 days, 4 hours, 28 minutes and 33 seconds. 

He's right, you know. That's exactly how long it took for me. An indisputable scientific fact. 

Bob_Luken

raisindot said:

skydiverD said:

It takes exactly 5 months, 21 days, 4 hours, 28 minutes and 33 seconds. 

He's right, you know. That's exactly how long it took for me. An indisputable scientific fact. 

Took me about that long to distinguish between honey notes and honeysuckle notes.

Everything else?,............... I'm still working on it. 

Dark_Roast

I have smoked for years and cannot pick up flavours. sure I can tell between pepper and none but that's about it. I did pick up caramel once. I do not retrohale and that may be a big reason I don't pick up favours. But I still enjoy smoking them!

jarubla

Dammit Jeff, hot coffee right out my nose!

-Jay

ExpendableYouth

jarubla said:

Dammit Jeff, hot coffee right out my nose!

-Jay

I guess if you were doing nose stuff that would work, but that could get expensive.