Refining Your Pallette

[Coolhand]

"Purging" is a term describing the act of blowing back through the cigar while holding a flame at the foot. The flame with turn several different colors as the build up in the cigar is blown out.

Often times this will greatly improve the cigar, especially when done a couple of time throughout the last two thirds of the cigar.

I hope this helps

~Mark

Very much so, thanks, Mark!

 

[RedCloud]

Mark, this is an excellent post, and, appropriate sticky. I especially zeroed in on smoking too fast, worth mentioning a third, fourth, fifth.......
and also drinking water while smoking. A pitcher of ice water is SOP when I sit down to enjoy a smoke. Being a recovering alki also helped with that decision. Thanks for the post, and some good reinforcement.

Later, Bob

 

[CuritibaRex]

To suppliment the smelling of the various portions of the stick while smoking, I have grown fond of "lapping" as a method of tasting the smoke. Hold a mouthful of smoke for a few seconds, slowly exhale. When all but the last remnants of the mouthful have been expelled, begin using the tongue and lips in a synchonized quick open/close fahion, similar to a dog lapping water, but imagine the water you are lapping is located at the teeth line in your mouth (the tongue never leaves the mouth.) There is usually a soft smacking sound (no one around you would hear it) if done correctly. The last part of the mouthfu of smoke leaves with this method and the taste is very pronounced!

Another palette refining tip. When smoking the second or last third and drinking nothing stronger than water, coffee or straight coke; include a just-turned-ripe banana in the routine occasionally. The banana should be on the citrus-tangy side of fresh (just coming off green), this doesn't work with a too ripe banana. Take small bites of the banana (Freud would love this one!) about every third puff as a means of freshening the palette from any harshness that might possibly slip into those final portions of even a fine cigar. This will also help bring out flavors in the smoke (the banana taste seems to get quickly neutralized) that you may not have known were there. Drink your liquid as normal.

 

[Saully]

To suppliment the smelling of the various portions of the stick while smoking, I have grown fond of "lapping" as a method of tasting the smoke. Hold a mouthful of smoke for a few seconds, slowly exhale. When all but the last remnants of the mouthful have been expelled, begin using the tongue and lips in a synchonized quick open/close fahion, similar to a dog lapping water, but imagine the water you are lapping is located at the teeth line in your mouth (the tongue never leaves the mouth.) There is usually a soft smacking sound (no one around you would hear it) if done correctly. The last part of the mouthfu of smoke leaves with this method and the taste is very pronounced!

Another palette refining tip. When smoking the second or last third and drinking nothing stronger than water, coffee or straight coke; include a just-turned-ripe banana in the routine occasionally. The banana should be on the citrus-tangy side of fresh (just coming off green), this doesn't work with a too ripe banana. Take small bites of the banana (Freud would love this one!) about every third puff as a means of freshening the palette from any harshness that might possibly slip into those final portions of even a fine cigar. This will also help bring out flavors in the smoke (the banana taste seems to get quickly neutralized) that you may not have known were there. Drink your liquid as normal.

Can't argue your ideas, but this does sound quite Freudian!

 

[CuritibaRex]

I like the quote attributed to Freud, himself a smoker, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

 

[WhiteLightning]

Bananas?.....Don't know if I can bring myself to do it. Might look a little weird at the B&M eating a banana while smoking.

 

[jasonclaydunn]

Great post! I certainly agree that we all need to slow down. That is the whole purpose right? Other wise I'd be hitting those nasty little cancer sticks known as cigarettes. I always think about how these cigars are made with love and hand made!

I always found that after I smoke a new cigar that if the aroma on my hands and beard is good then Its a keeper. And call me crazy but I like to drink a Coca Cola once in while as I'm chillen with my favorite smoke. It must have something to do with the sugars in the wrap.

 

[Trilobyte]

Lately apples work pretty good for me.

 

[mrnosejoy]

Used to teach classes on the subject. Awesome explanation. Technical is never fun real life always is.

Leave the world a better place than you found it!
Kinky Friedman

 

[N2Advnture]

Used to teach classes on the subject. Awesome explanation. Technical is never fun real life always is.

Now THAT'S an awesome compliment bro, thanks!

~Mark

 

[CHBIV]

My biggest issue in not being able to notice subtle flavors and aromas is after a day of smoking and I am getting to my last few sticks and my palate is feeling a little worn out. I find sorbet or an italian ice type of dessert (especially in a lemon or citrus flavor) really tends to not only clear my palate of my previous cigars but revives and brings it back to full capacity. I also am very much inline with the water idea, in my experiences it has done a great job of letting me enjoy the cigar more by not distracting me with any other flavors. These are all really good suggestions, thanks guys.

 

[SmokinOkie]

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

1.) A "refined" palate 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 olfactory and can usually pick up a ton of subtle flavors this way.

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.


Hope this helps and happy smoking my friends!

~Mark

Mark, I really enjoyed this post and tried to follow it with yesterday's smoke and found it really helpful for me as a Newbie, I went to a local B&M that a new friend on here recommended and just sat there and relaxed and tried to smoke as slow as I could and tried to break it down into thirds like you suggested, made for a very enjoyable smoke indeed! Thanks M:youaretheark

 

[DocLogic77]

Excellent post.

 

[Brazilla]

This is an excellent post on a subject I've asked about often. Thanks for the post and the bump.

 

[Saully]

My biggest issue in not being able to notice subtle flavors and aromas is after a day of smoking and I am getting to my last few sticks and my palate is feeling a little worn out. I find sorbet or an italian ice type of dessert (especially in a lemon or citrus flavor) really tends to not only clear my palate of my previous cigars but revives and brings it back to full capacity. I also am very much inline with the water idea, in my experiences it has done a great job of letting me enjoy the cigar more by not distracting me with any other flavors. These are all really good suggestions, thanks guys.

How many cigars do you smoke a day? (They say that it's less healthy to smoke more than one or two.) The idea is quality, not necessarily quantity. Or breaking the bank.

 

[CAO MX2]

This is a great post... thank you

 

[uncelnino]

Strange, i am a huge Dr. Pepper fan as well. Although i still agree with the original post that water is the best drink with a cigar as it will not affect the natural flavor of the blend/wrapper/etc.

 

[hallandson]

Enjoyed the post. Informative and well written!!

 

[njstone]

Each time i read this I find it helpful.

Does anyone else have anything to add? Specifically, I'm wondering if you guys think smoking 1 a day is too much for a noob.

 

[Moro]

...Specifically, I'm wondering if you guys think smoking 1 a day is too much for a noob.

Well, ye're yer best bet. If ye think that ye can taste more subtleties if ye smoke less than 1 per day, keep on like that. If ye don't ye might even try 2 a day, if ye want to. It's all relative to each smoker.