Is there something wrong with the way i smoke?

K

kaisuri

Newbie in the jungle
I just started smoking cigars over the summer and although I've only tried a few, I feel like they all taste the same!

From what i've heard about from friends, from what i've looked up online, and from what i've gotten from reading the forums, i realize that i still must be doing something wrong.

First off, i think the biggest thing is that i don't understand exactly where i'm supposed to "taste" the cigar. From what i understand, it seems like, after taking a puff, you're supposed to be able to "taste" the cigar on your tongue. Is this correct? Or are you actually only able to "taste" a cigar buy it's smell via inhalation (not breathing out the smoke through the nostrils)

I've tried only a few so far and they are: Macanudo miniatures, CAO Gold, and the Acid kuba kuba

To me, they all seem to "taste" the same. What surprised me even more was that for a flavored cigar, the kuba kuba seemed to taste the same as the other two as well.

Is smoking cigars a case of meticulous detective work to find these very subtle tastes or am I smoking my cigars improperly, or perhaps, are my taste buds broken? Are my tastebuds just not sensitive enough, do i need to maybe smoke something stronger?


Also, is it a must to have a drink to cleanse the palate? Is this so I can get a clear taste of each puff that i take? I've never had anything to accompany the cigars i've smoked, so i'm wondering if maybe not having a drink has anything to do with not being able to taste any difference.

Helpful and detailed advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
hmm...I don't think there is a right or wrong way to smoke a cigar. Assuming you haven't kept the cello on or the ceder wrapper on.

When I first started smoking, they all seemed that way to me too. The only thing i can really suggest is: keep smoking:ss. What I mean is...try new cigars and see how they differ from ones youve had before. Find a brand that you like and try all their lines. CAO has A TON of different stuff including flavors, wrappers, and diff. tobaccos. Great place to start. You will no doubt find some that seem to agree more with you than others. If you find one you despise, look to see what other people say tastes like that and avoid it, for now. Your taste will probably change over time.

But yes...they all taste like cigars.:) Once you smoke a variety, you will see how they are different. So I guess, just keep smoking and try to see the differences between them. Try looking on here for lighter cigars versus stronger ones. There are a TON of reviews by people who know A LOT about cigars. See what they say, then see if you kind of taste what they say they tasted.

Ok....stop reading and start smokin!
 
I don't think there is anything wrong with you... I just think you might be looking for a major bouquet of flavor when in my experiences, this is a more relaxed effect. While I do not know how you light your cigars.. I will say that if you torch the end and start puffing away while lighting it to the point that your cigar looks like a rather large birthday candle.. don't laugh.. I have actually seen this many times.. then what happens is you have brought in some rather nasty events that will diminish the flavor return of your cigar. Lighting a cigar.. much like filling and lighting a pipe can be a bit of science and a good amount of luck. Take your time when you light your cigar... I use a good ole Bic lighter.. I slowly heat the foot of the cigar.. rolling it a bit.. until I see a little smoke coming up.. then I gently blow on the foot... and then reintroduce it to the lighter. Once I see that we have some nice glow effect... I blow on it again.. and then take a few gentle puffs on the cigar. While this drives most people nuts... I know just like anything.. once you burn it.. it stays burnt.. kinda like cooking.. you take your time and you are rewarded with great results. As far as cleansing the pallet with a drink.. try this... get a good medium cigar... I prefer corona size cigars... 5 and a half to six inches long and a ring gauge of between 40 to 44. To me... while these can tend to burn hot if you try to draw in too much smoke.. they offer some of the most complex and concentrated flavors to be found. Inside scoop... most cigar manufacturers smoke corona size cigars to get the full effect of the cigar leaf they are growing. Anyways... get a nice corona and brew a good strong cup of coffee.. coffee is a drink of choice for cigar smokers.. well at least in the morning... before the port and scotch starts coming out. Anyways.. get your corona.. get your cup of coffee.. find a nice quiet spot... take your time lighting your cigar and enjoy. Again... at first.. for the first few puffs.. do not try to draw in a huge volume of smoke... after a few relaxed puffs... take a sip of coffee and go back to the cigar.. you will start to notice the subtle flavors kicking in.. and as your pallet for cigars becomes more seasoned.. you will begin noticing things like... cocoa.. leather... and many more. Personally.. I have never put cocoa on leather and smoked it... so I don't really know what that is supposed to actually taste like :r SO just take your time... the best part of the cigar is relaxing.. enjoying the moment.:D
Peace
Michael
 
From my limited experience I have two things to offer you:

1. Like Pastor Mike said, light the cigar slowly, slowly, slowly. When toasting the foot don't go for a quick, blackening burn - go for a slow toast. (Actually, that's how I roast marshmallows too.) Don't puff hard to get it lit - take it easy. The cooler the smoke the better.

2. Try a Sancho Panza Double Maduro - any size but the Quixote is my favorite in that cigar. It will be difficult to NOT taste something different with this one. It's one of my favorites and it's cheaper than a lot of others as well !

Just my :2. Oh, and watch your step there at the top of the slope! :D
 
Your tongue can detect 5 tastes only: sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami.

The rest is detected by your sensory epithelium in your nose.

That is why many people let a bit of the smoke exit their nose from their mouth.
 
At the risk of being a lightning rod for controversy, I prefer to think of your cigar in terms of a lover. Hang on - relax - I have a point.

Some men, though I am certain none who frequent this forum :D are accused of not engaging in enough foreplay. Well your cigar should be nothing but foreplay. It it gets hot in your mouth you are smoking too fast and any subtle tastes will be most likely obscured.

Smoke nice and slow, don't let the smoke get hot in your mouth, and as much as possible let the ash grow as long as it can before knocking it off as this insulates that precious tobacco we pay so much for.

Try to limit how many times you exhale (sometimes called retrohale) through your nostrils as overdoing this can lead to something I call "ashtray mouth" which will turn even the most expensive and delicious sticks into Century Sams. This may not be true of everyone, but I find it hinders my taste of a cigar so possibly it is the same with you.
 
PolarGar said:
Try to limit how many times you exhale (sometimes called retrohale) through your nostrils as overdoing this can lead to something I call "ashtray mouth" which will turn even the most expensive and delicious sticks into Century Sams. This may not be true of everyone, but I find it hinders my taste of a cigar so possibly it is the same with you.
Click to expand...

Yep, not true for everyone. I do that(retrohale/snork) with every draw I take. It only enhances me experience. I can't smoke a cigar without doing it.
 
kaisuri said:
I just started smoking cigars over the summer and although I've only tried a few, I feel like they all taste the same!
Click to expand...

I'm new to cigars too, and although I still cannot identify "smooth Sicilian nutmeg" in my cigars, the distinct flavors are starting to appear for me. Pepper is the easiest one to recognize and some cigars have it and some definitely do not. I can now also detect what I think is butter and leathery notes in some cigars.

I think the trick is to try a large variety of cigars. Many cigars do still taste the same to me, but that group is slowly getting smaller.
 
PolarGar said:
At the risk of being a lightning rod for controversy, I prefer to think of your cigar in terms of a lover. Hang on - relax - I have a point.

Some men, though I am certain none who frequent this forum :D are accused of not engaging in enough foreplay. Well your cigar should be nothing but foreplay. It it gets hot in your mouth you are smoking too fast and any subtle tastes will be most likely obscured.

Smoke nice and slow, don't let the smoke get hot in your mouth, and as much as possible let the ash grow as long as it can before knocking it off as this insulates that precious tobacco we pay so much for.

Try to limit how many times you exhale (sometimes called retrohale) through your nostrils as overdoing this can lead to something I call "ashtray mouth" which will turn even the most expensive and delicious sticks into Century Sams. This may not be true of everyone, but I find it hinders my taste of a cigar so possibly it is the same with you.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with you here. When you smoke a cigar there is a way you can influence a better draw, taste, and burn. Anyone can light a cigar but if you smoke it aggressively you are going to miss out on some flavors that the cigar has to offer. It's like a fine wine or coffee. If you sit and gulp it down you are going to miss the flavors. Take your time and experience the cigar and don't rush the lighting, the puffs, etc. I've seen very experienced people as they smoke cigars and everyone is different as to what kind of experience they want. If you want and are looking for flavor then don't rush but if you just want to "smoke" then puff as you want.
 
I am about 6-7 months into smoking regularly, about 1-2 in the weekdays and 5-7 on the weekends. Keep smoking and get into a local herf crew. I did and you will get to learn and smoke a lot of cigars.

J
 
Yeah i was a bit confused when i first started, especially with all the flavors i was supposed to taste (leather and plum notes with an almond finish - C/A). Just keep smoking and experiment with different blends and ring guages. Give it some time and you'll find some cigars you really enjoy.
 
I think if a Kuba Kuba and a CAO Gold taste the same to you then something is a bit off and you should continue investigating

do they smell the same to you?
 
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