kuzi16:

jgibv:

Even though I wish I could say otherwise, I'm still at the beginning stages of developing my palate

you make it sound like its a bad thing. being new is some of the best time to smoke cigars. there is so much that it new. there are no prejudices to a particular country, maker, blender, or style. everything is wide open.

You're right, it did come off as being a bad thing and that's not what I meant....I guess the only "bad" thing is that I often find it difficult to describe the taste and aroma of a stick.
I love trying new cigars (since almost everything is new to me) and I'm slowly discovering what I like and dislike. The one problem though is that I often find it hard to describe why I do or don't like a certain cigar.
I can tell you that I like the 5 Vegas Cask Strength but I find it hard to tell you why and describe what the cigar was like.
Your reference diagrams and the idea of having a similar smell/taste on hand when smoking as a reference point is excellent so then I'll hopefully be able to develop my palate and pinpoint specific tastes and smells as to why I like or dislike a cigar.

Other than that I've had nothing but great experiences with cigars since my first one about four years ago (a CAO Vision Catalyst, given to me as a gift). And I'd say that within the past two years I've become a "regular" smoker having about 1 cigar a week.
I'm loving every minute of it and looking forward to the holidays as I plan on picking up some variety samplers so I'll have more sticks to try and can work on developing my palate further.

Also, if there's any sticks that a newbie "must try," let me know.

Thanks!

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"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

-John Muir


Good Traders

Bad Traders

jgibv:

Also, if there's any sticks that a newbie "must try," let me know.

Thanks!

Air Bender

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

kuzi16:

jgibv:

Also, if there's any sticks that a newbie "must try," let me know.

Thanks!

Air Bender

JdN DC!!

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EAST COAST BOMBING CREW

Wish List in BIO

Team ENFIDL!

BigT06:

kuzi16:

jgibv:

Also, if there's any sticks that a newbie "must try," let me know.

Thanks!

Air Bender

JdN DC!!

might be a bit much for a new guy.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

kuzi16:

BigT06:

kuzi16:

jgibv:

Also, if there's any sticks that a newbie "must try," let me know.

Thanks!

Air Bender

JdN DC!!

might be a bit much for a new guy.

nah. lol

On a serious note, I feel like to many new smoker smoke only mild cigars (primarily connies) out of some sort of fear or predisposition about full bodied cigars, and it really makes them miss out on a great thing. Sometimes for years. I feel like if I would've started out smoking a huge variety of strengths and wrappers, etc, I would've discovered a lot of the gems that are now daily smokes for me (like the JdN DC) a lot sooner.

I know that nicotine is a very real thing, but you can always eat a big meal first, and wait till later in the day to fire it up if you're worried about the strength. The overwhelming FLAVOR of a full bodied cigar (speaking broadly, there are always exceptions) makes it worth the risk of the strength getting to you.

That's just me, though. The CAO Brazilla was the 2nd cigar I ever smoked, and I spent a year plus looking for something else that bold... but I was afraid to jump off the deep end... UNTIL I realized I had already jumped off into the deep end when I smoked the Brazilla... and nothing bad happened.

from the time I had that epiphany until now, I smoke whatever calls my name. No regrets thus far.

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EAST COAST BOMBING CREW

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Team ENFIDL!

that is true, but i feel that a good handfull of mild cigars under your belt is the way to go because some people dont handle the full bodied stuff quickly. an early bad experience may keep people out of the hobby all together.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

That's a good point. I guess for me the shotgun style worked when I started smoking regularly (more than once a week), throwing in cigars of varying levels of strength "just to see", but maybe a climb the ladder approach is more effective for the average new cigar smoker. Keep in mind, though, that I was also smoking almost 2 packs a day of full strength cigarettes, so I'm sure that helped give me a nicotine cushion that made full bodied cigars have less of a dramatic impact on me.

So I guess, in hindsight, if you are new to cigars, be smart... but don't be scared. If you are new to nicotine all together, maybe a little caution isn't a bad thing. lol

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EAST COAST BOMBING CREW

Wish List in BIO

Team ENFIDL!

I've been doing the shotgun style and am not afraid to try any full strength cigars...I'd say that Man O' War and Graycliff 1666 are some of my favorites I've tried so far.
I was even daring enough to try the Cu-Avana Punisher about 2 months ago and wow! that was an experience. I definitely want to try this one again, the chili spice and numbing effect to my mouth really blew me away and it was such a unique experience. The initial strength of the spice caught me off guard but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Also, thanks for the suggestions Kuzi and BigT. I've added these to my "wish list" and will pick up a couple of each next time I place an order.

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"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

-John Muir


Good Traders

Bad Traders

great thread kuzi. glad it got revived. I can't wait to start developing my palate using these tips. I'm right where Alex pointed out, I like some cigars, and dislike some, but really can't tell why flavor wise. The tips on exhaling, etc. I'll definitely work on. I 'm gonna get a little notepad to write down details, thoughts for each cigar. It'd be neat to see my initial notes further on in the future.

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"I'm your huckleberry." Doc Holliday

Dude , what a great read.. This helps so very much.

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If you want to find the loneliest person in the room, look for the clown.

whenever this finds it way to the top i find myself re-reading the original post. i almost always want to make changes.
this time i want to add in that you should know what you are looking for in two ways.
1) how it was mentioned in the original article. read may reviews look for common threads in them and look for them in the cigar.
2) (this on, IMHO is more important) become very familiar with common flavors in cigars: Coffee, Leather, Musk, earth, wood, nuts, licorice, etc...
the more smells/tastes that you know, the better that you will be able to pick them out.

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Kuzi's cigar catalog blending 101 developing your palate

Another good way to "practice" is when eating out. Try to pull each Herb, spice, componet and flavor from the meal that you can.

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If you want to find the loneliest person in the room, look for the clown.

kuzi16:

jgibv:

Even though I wish I could say otherwise, I'm still at the beginning stages of developing my palate

you make it sound like its a bad thing. being new is some of the best time to smoke cigars. there is so much that it new. there are no prejudices to a particular country, maker, blender, or style. everything is wide open.

Definitely. Picking up some of those more obscure flavors for the first time or finally connecting with the description of a cigar someone else wrote and being able to relate it to your experience, those are super rewarding moments.

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