Hi guys,
I received an email from a local (Aussie) cigar store recently about how to taste all the flavours in your cigar, I found it interesting so thought I'd share (see below).
However there was one point I've never come across before; check out the 'Smoke Two' section, this is new to me, anybody try it?
Any other tips you've found help you taste the flavours? I'd love to hear them.
Taste Before You Light
Try holding the cigar in your mouth before you light it up. You’ll be able to experience the sweetness or bitterness of your cigar, and these are indications that it’s a good smoke. However, if you taste acidity or saltiness, this may mean that the cigar was made from less-than-perfect tobacco.
Clean Your Palate
While I really enjoy pairing cigars with a fine spirit or a good cup of coffee, I find the best way to really focus on the cigar is without a flavourful pairing. Spring water is good. The best is room temperature or slightly-chilled club soda. The bubbles clean the palate while making sure it isn’t too cold, which will prevent your taste buds from being dulled.
Smoke Two
I think one of the best ways to develop your palate is to smoke two cigars at once. If you smoke two similar cigars side-by-side, you’ll be forced to notice the contrasts and complexities that you wouldn’t if you smoked only one. (Alternating between the two will also force you to slow down.)
Take Notes
Not only will writing down your observations help you remember what you noticed while smoking a particular cigar, but putting pen to paper will force you to think about the descriptions you use and to make sure they are evocative and precise so they will be useful later.
The Finish
The “finish” is another key part in enjoying a cigar. The finish is a fancy term for aftertaste. Aftertaste is the persistence of flavour long after the substance has passed over the taste receptors. As far as cigars are concerned, the finish should be enjoyable and the longer the flavours remain the better. For some reason certain flavours from cigars are more prominent on the finish than others, like coffee, cocoa and licorice.
I received an email from a local (Aussie) cigar store recently about how to taste all the flavours in your cigar, I found it interesting so thought I'd share (see below).
However there was one point I've never come across before; check out the 'Smoke Two' section, this is new to me, anybody try it?
Any other tips you've found help you taste the flavours? I'd love to hear them.
Taste Before You Light
Try holding the cigar in your mouth before you light it up. You’ll be able to experience the sweetness or bitterness of your cigar, and these are indications that it’s a good smoke. However, if you taste acidity or saltiness, this may mean that the cigar was made from less-than-perfect tobacco.
Clean Your Palate
While I really enjoy pairing cigars with a fine spirit or a good cup of coffee, I find the best way to really focus on the cigar is without a flavourful pairing. Spring water is good. The best is room temperature or slightly-chilled club soda. The bubbles clean the palate while making sure it isn’t too cold, which will prevent your taste buds from being dulled.
Smoke Two
I think one of the best ways to develop your palate is to smoke two cigars at once. If you smoke two similar cigars side-by-side, you’ll be forced to notice the contrasts and complexities that you wouldn’t if you smoked only one. (Alternating between the two will also force you to slow down.)
Take Notes
Not only will writing down your observations help you remember what you noticed while smoking a particular cigar, but putting pen to paper will force you to think about the descriptions you use and to make sure they are evocative and precise so they will be useful later.
The Finish
The “finish” is another key part in enjoying a cigar. The finish is a fancy term for aftertaste. Aftertaste is the persistence of flavour long after the substance has passed over the taste receptors. As far as cigars are concerned, the finish should be enjoyable and the longer the flavours remain the better. For some reason certain flavours from cigars are more prominent on the finish than others, like coffee, cocoa and licorice.