Is it me or is it the cigar?

[jacksfull]

I've been wondering lately just how much the current state of one's palate effects the smoking experience with what might otherwise be a great cigar.

Some days I'll smoke two or three, maybe four, different cigars and get the same bitter or sour background flavor from all of them.

Other days everything I smoke is dead-on... sheer delight.

Sometimes I think it could go either way, cigar or palate. It's not unusual to have two side-by-side box mates where one is disappointing and the other superb.

So, how much is the cigar and how much is palate readiness?

[Rogers72]

Just a suggestion that seems to affect my smoking but could those "bad days" be because of this brutal heat and humidity outside? I noticed that you are in ATL. I am not far from you and this humdity has been killing me. I have been just waiting until late at night and sticking with small cigars as the big ones are damp and acrid after about halfway through.

[jawofboston]

Do you have allergies or frequent sinus trouble? Sometimes, if I get a sniffle cigars just don't taste right. The good flavors are muted, and the nasty parts get amplified. There was one period of sinus trouble I had for about two weeks where I thought I would just need to kill myself because I couldn't taste my cigars.

[Colt45]

I agree with the guys above and might also add that sometimes, it can be as simple as a "tired" palate. Have you ever tried taking a week or so

off from smoking? As an aside, I've found that from time to time, I go through periods where different cigars taste rather similar - not to say this is

what you are experiencing.

[Habanakane21]

Allergies get me. Once I get 'em...smoking cigars is a waste of time. Not to mention everything taste like a dirty ashtray...

[jacksfull]

Have you ever tried taking a week or so off from smoking?

Ha! Not an option I'd like to consider. Even a crappy tasting cigar is better than none at all.

Anyway, I didn't really pose the question thinking in terms of it being a specific personal problem. Just figured to get a discussion going of the merits of the cigar versus the receptiveness of the smoker.

I do like the "tired" palate theory... sort of what I was thinking in the first place. Maybe chemical (think pH levels). Maybe mood related. I dunno. Sometimes cigars taste better than other times. That's all.

[El Presidente]

I take two days off each week from smoking cigars as it refreshes the palate and has me really looking forward to the next cigar.

There are weeks however where everything tastes the same in a mediocre way. If that is the case I take two days off immediately and everything tends to fall back into place.

[Colt45]

Sometimes cigars taste better than other times. That's all.

Of that there is little doubt.

[habanohal]

When I want too "taste test" or get the maximum flavor from a cigar, I make sure it is the 1st onre of the day. For instance....never would I smoke a Cohiba GR on Sunday after golf. Just because I haave most likely already smoked 2-4 and wont get the fullness of the cigar.

[PigFish]

Good topic! It looks like this has been covered by some astute colleges already...

In 2008 I had a heart attack. As a result I was off of cigars for a whole 10 days! That was a long time for me. The longest span in about 15 years and believe it or not, it really did some good for my palate.

I have been known to smoke 3+ cigars a day but I have reduced that to as many a week now. There are times when my cigar smoking becomes more habitual and less ritualistic! By that I mean that I smoke too much for the taste alone and as a result it lessens the overall experience, the luxury and the sensitivity.

I am a "taste" smoker and as a result I sometimes fall into the "more the merrier" mode; I get habitual. I think that when this happens I can tend to get asbestos mouth but it is more than just the taste that gets overwhelmed. I call this a funk.

Take some time off as has been suggested. Lastly, not every cigar is a good cigar. You could be having a bad run. Like getting cards out of a shoe, it happens. Open a new box of cigars or buy some singles from Rob and try something new. Whatever you do.... don't have a heart attack! I can't recommend that course of action!

-Piggy

[olotti]

I tend to even smoke only maybe once or twice a week but when I do I'll smoke through 4-5 a session but I think not smoking all week helps, I have bad allergies too and I can still pick up flavors even with my rookie palate. I would also say go from weakest to strongest cigars and that helps. I would never smoke a RyJ Cazadores first, athough I have, but after that everything tastes muted and like someone mentioned somedays cigars just taste better.

[thechenman]

Nah...I think it is just you.

[jacksfull]

Nah...I think it is just you.

Wit a rubba hose!

(damned New Yorkers)

[MIKA27]

On average, I smoke approximately 2 cigars a week, more on holidays of course.

By only smoking 2-3 per week, I find I look forward to it and never have an issue with my palette.

The exception being last week with the flu, I didn't havea single cigar for 9 days, whats the point if I cant taste and enjoy anything.

Like Piggy, I'm a taste smoker and enjoy the flavours.

[MrGlass]

I fluctuate, but these days I'm at around one a week. I've had periods where I was smoking considerably more, but began to notice that I wasn't enjoying it as much and that the flavours were muted.

Even at these lower levels, I still run into bad streaks where the cigars just aren't quite what I was expecting. When this happens, I just stop for a while and then start again with an old faithful.

[mbrody]

Well, it's now the weekend, so I'll just wait to next week to start my "mid week break"

[CanuckSARTech]

Everything said has been great so far. But, I have an addition.

I too take a couple of days away every now and again. When I do, especially in the 24 hours or so leading up to when I know I'll be having another one again, I like to make sure my palate is clean and purified, ready for the flavours. Easiest way? Sparkling mineral water. Not just plain sparkling water, but the sparkling mineral water, like San Pellegrino or Gerolsteiner (no brand sponsorship here).

The Europeans have had it right all this time. Think about it - when you go to a fancy restaurant, and you order some wine, what do they also usually bring you? A glass/bottle of this stuff. Something about the carbonated minerals help cleanse the palate and ready it for the next taste. That's what makes a real good gourmand experience - great wine, rich foods, and a nice sparkling mineral water to sip on in between it all to enjoy every taste fresh and pure.

My thoughts anyways. It always seems to work for me when I hit a kick like you're talking of. Take a few days away, up to a week or more if needed, and then ready your palate.

[CBL]

Interesting views from all! I've always wondered what the best way is to fully prepare your palate for cigars. At first I always thought that a clean and rested palate would let you experience all the flavors a cigar has to offer, but during the winter I hardly smoke and I notice that when the summer season starts I need to kick start my palate to fully enjoy cigars and their various tastes again.

Lately I've been under the impression that the first cigar of the day dictates the flavor of the next one, but it seems given the replies here that I might have been wrong Last week I've had a day where I smoked 5 cigars and all cigars were pretty full of flavor, but I noticed my palate was pretty messed up around the time I smoked the last two. One was a non-cuban (Don Pepin Garcia Black Label Robusto) that I swear tasted just like a Trinidad Robusto T And the last cigar was a Bolivar BF that tasted fine but I couldn't really distinguish any individual tastes. So perhaps there is a point where your palate just can't handle the cigars anymore and makes them taste bland.

As stated above some sparkling water can really cleanse your palate but even a simple coke or other sparkling beverage would do (but maybe chase away the taste with some water )

Also a GREAT palate cleanser is a small bite of sorbet ice, I found (personally) that mango generally makes me taste everything a little clearer!