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Tasting Notes ? Edited

How do I Get Better at Pulling out those awesome Notes all the reviewers are talking about?

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    9 PoloPlyr

    (8 months ago)

    Smoke more and different sticks. Learn hoe to properly retrohale.

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    4 Dr Mistry

    (15 months ago)

    Hi All, Its my first post here on Cigar World. I agree with Tampaguy84 & Bud6333 ; I personally feel like the experience is similar to trying a Perfume at a Boutique ; we ought to sniff some coffee beans to help negate the overwhelming notes and help us evaluate the different nuances in the base, mid and top notes; "vs" in the case of a Cigar; the trick which has worked for me; has been to swish a bourbon or scotch whiskey first and breath deeply for a few seconds. Light up the Cigar carefully and then take the first breath in slowly and let your senses do the magic. I learnt this from my late grandfather and has worked wonders for me. Try this with a Medium-Semi Bold Cigar at first (my favourite is the Cohiba Vegas Classic or the No.5 Dunhill. Let me know your thoughts.

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      100 Bear On The Air

      (12 months ago)

      I often pair single malt scotch with my cigars. It does bring out some flavor notes. The question is: Am I tasting the notes from the scotch or are they actually in the flavor of the cigar? And does it matter? I do the same with pairing coffee with mild Connecticut shades. Same question when I taste coffee. Of course, I'm tasting coffee. I'm drinking coffee. Duh!

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    5 tampaguy84

    (16 months ago)

    I think it can vary between person and person. It can also vary if your cigar is fresh and kept at correct temp and humidity. Also how it is stored. I have tasted some interesting notes and I always google and read about a new cigar I am trying for the 1st time. I find it fun as well! A friend recently gave me a non labeled stick. I tasted a lot of citrus notes and other notes. I ended up finding out it was made from cuban seed and I really tasted the difference.

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    4 Moratorian

    (19 months ago)

    I have the same problem with cigars, wines and scotches. All these flavours I’m supposed to taste just aren’t there for me. I think some peoples taste buds are just more sensitive than others. I just know whether or not it’s a good cigar, wine or scotch.

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    4 Mr.409

    (20 months ago)

    When I first started I would read the description and try to find the taste. One day I taste something different than I ever had. When I looked at the description it was walnut. That's the way they described it. I felt like it was more of a wine cork taste. Kind of woody but real lite. Almost hollow in taste. So now when that taste comes around again, I'll know what it is. Sometimes your pallet just can't taste those notes at that time. Cleanse your pallet and try again.

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      100 Bear On The Air

      (12 months ago)

      The more you experience anything the better you get at it. I avoid the flavor profile sections of reviews until after I have smoked a cigar and made my own notes. Then I will contrast and compare. Sometimes other reviewers agree. Often they disagree with my assessment. That's fine. We all experience each cigar differently. But sometimes other reviewers will identify a flavor note I couldn't quite pinpoint or precisely put into words. I learn from that. The more you smoke, the more you review, the better you get at finding flavors.

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    10 Bud6333

    (22 months ago)

    so, the flavors folks are talking about are sometimes subtle other times not so much. As an example, I'm sure you have had a cigar that had that bite of a pepper taste to it. when you get that imagine black or white pepper which one fits that flavor. This is what folks are using to describe the taste they experience when smoking a cigar. As you take the smoke into your mouth and let it linger you will notice different flavors peak your imagination if you will... this is when you have to let your pallet, memory and imagination work together to figure out how to describe what you are experiencing. It comes down to practice and experience. If you like scotch, try that. it too has a lot of different flavors to be described.

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    3 zkirkland514

    (23 months ago)

    I am struggling with this myself. I feel like I am getting better at noticing flavors simply by smoking more. I usually smoke a cigar then go look up the flavor after I smoke it to see if I was close to what people are saying.

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    3 SolracEscobar

    (2 years ago)

    That’s a good question.

    What are you smoking?

    Are your tastebuds acquainted with a spice based palate? What are you used to tasting? Favorite flavors?

    Also - how fast are you smoking? Are you smoking with a drink and/or food?

    Other than considering some of these things, I’d start with smoking and writing what I think I tasted, then reading reviews here and 3-4 other sites to see if you match up with any.