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+--- Thread: Refining Your Pallette (/thread-15922.html)
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- N2Advnture - 09-25-2006
I have seen lots of posts lately in regards to "refining a pallette" so I thought I'd toss my $.02 in.
The key reason for refining your pallette is to aide in picking up the sublties in your smokes, so here are a few tips that I belive will help you out:
1.) A "refined" pallette 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 ofactures and can usually pick up a ton of subtle flavors this way.
4.) Drink water. Try not to drink anything that will over power or effect the flavor of your smoke. As you get good at decerning what flavors are in a smoke, you can then pair beverages that will compliment those flavors. (Rums, scotches, coffees, etc...)
5.) Read reviews. I am a firm believer in the "smoke what you like and like what you smoke" but reviews (and MRN's book) are a great GUIDE to leading you in the direction of smokes that fit your preferred flavor profile(s). I am not saying go buy a box of ANYTHING based on a review. If a review or a couple of reviews describe flavors that seem to be in your preferred flavor profile, then pick up a couple to try for yourself before committing to a box.
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.
8.) SMOKE SLOWER! - It is worth mentioning twice.
9.) Once you get these basic techniques down and manage to concentrate on flavors and not techniques (like smoking slower!) I HIGHLY recommend blowing a little smoke through your nose about 2-3 times during each third. Some may argue that they do it every time but I do think there can be too much as the nasal cavity is sensitive and the hot smoke may effect it's ability to decern flavors later in the smoking experience. (You need to find a happy medium for yourself though).
I remember when I first tried it I did too much smoke and I thought my nose was going to burn off...my eyes wouldn't stop watering! LOL!
10.) Try new cuisines & beverages! Foods & beverages are a great way to develop a pallette. Concentrate on each bit and try to pick up the herbs, spices, etc...
*Side note - I was smoking a small stick one time on my drive home from work and it had a certain flavor that I just couldn't relate to what it was. I was driving my crazy! So when I got home I opened the spice cabinet and sniffed through (and tasted) them all. Couldn't figure it out. A week later, I was enjoying dinner at one of our favorite places and BAM! I tasted the flavor in my meal that I had tasted in the smoke. Dried Apricots!
Hope this helps and happy smoking my friends!
~Mark
- Parkster - 09-25-2006
Great stuff N2A, thanks.
- lz6 - 09-25-2006
Excellent advice Mark!
- -PO- - 09-25-2006
Thanks Mark, great read and yeah sometimes I smoke too fast or just don't concentrate enough on the cigar to pick up flavors. Thanks for the reminder.
- JL - 09-25-2006
I used to smoke a lot of cigarettes and I find myself smoking too fast. Thanks for the post, I will definitely follow it my next cigar.
- Bungalowbill - 09-25-2006
great post. anyone can train themselves or learn with the help of an old pro to attain at least an average taster's palate. genetics will take you further, but mostly it's about enthusiasm and learning. once i'd been trained as a brewer, i couldn't help transfering my palate to food and cigars... even just everyday smells (yes, there can be a downside
). oh, and let go of the fear of looking like a jackass. taste it, smell it, and voice your opinion proudly. just because someone disagrees doesn't mean what you tasted isn't there. you'll be surprised at how quickly ability and self-confidence grows in this area where most folks are very timid.
pretty soon they'll be looking at you for the answer... "does this meat smell bad to you?"[smokin2]
- LC stogiechat homebrew gnome - 09-25-2006
thanks a bunch Mark, that will certainly come in handy.
- Cigar Penguin - 09-25-2006
Glad you posted this here, I saw it on CP.....maybe the mods will put this in "cigar help" so we do not lose this,or stiky there even.
Thank you
- Dr. Stogie Fresh - 09-26-2006
Excellent advice Mark. Good reading. I'm glad this one wasn't an"us against them" post. Too many good cigars out there for that.
Doc
- Rubie - 09-26-2006
Wow, that was a great list. Thanks N2A.