Tasting notes - furniture polish…?

[EasternPromises]

After a long day of back-to-back meetings at work, I came home and had a nice dinner with my missus before venturing out to the balcony to enjoy a cigar. I didn’t have much time to smoke so lit up a ScdlH El Principe which started out well enough with a little bit of sweetness and Cuban twang but then rapidly devolved into what I can only describe as strong furniture polish (is this what some people describe as almonds?). The last time this happened was 18-24 months ago when I smoked a Punch Punch. That Punch Punch was a loose single which I had picked up at B&M and so potentially may have been a little young and which have explained the furniture polish note. This El Principe was not “young” and had been sitting in my humidor for 2+ years. 

It was just one bad cigar and so not a big deal but I’m curious to hear the forum’s views on what might have caused this furniture polish note. Was it youth, poor storage or just bad luck?

[99call]

6 hours ago, EasternPromises said:

Was it youth, poor storage or just bad luck?

Cigars have a huge array of flavour notes they can put off, but as one member (with a chemistry background) mentioned on here long ago, this shouldn't surprise us. As the chemical compounds of various things can be obviously related. 

In the UK, there is a lavender furniture polish called 'Pledge'. I often get this note in Diplomatico cigars, and enjoy it greatly...even though I hate lavender.

In the past other members have noted flavours of grilled fish, Dr Pepper, and all sorts of weird and wonderful things, it's all parts of loving cigars. 

With regards to 'almond flavour' you mention, that can be even stronger like a sweet a Marzipan. Sancho Panza Molinos definitely have this, and many hear enjoy it, and search for it. 

[Habanoschris]

When I hear furniture polish I think chemical, ammonia, tannic etc. These "flavors" are most often associated with young cigars/ earlier stages of fermentation process etc.

I know you said they were at least 2 years old but I'm fairly confident that this flavor will dissipate over the next 1-2 years.

 

 

 

[BrightonCorgi]

Scott's furniture polish comes in an almond and orange scents. Pledge is generally lemon and I think there's an orange one. Big fan of both brands.

[99call]

4 hours ago, Habanoschris said:

These "flavors" are most often associated with young cigars/ earlier stages of fermentation process etc. I know you said they were at least 2 years old but I'm fairly confident that this flavor will dissipate over the next 1-2 years.

HHhm? I hear what you are saying, but to me furniture polish (in the UK at least) is usually beeswax based with sweet floral aromatics. I would say flavours of sweet almond/marzipan or aromatic florals are more abundant in well aged cigars as opposed to young cigars. 

[Bords]

I got that from some fresh customs last year. Nasty and chemical tasting. Pulled one out over the holiday and was happy that it had gone away and presented a wonderful vanilla and citrus note in its place.


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[Habanoschris]

4 hours ago, 99call said:

HHhm? I hear what you are saying, but to me furniture polish (in the UK at least) is usually beeswax based with sweet floral aromatics. I would say flavours of sweet almond/marzipan or aromatic florals are more abundant in well aged cigars as opposed to young cigars. 

I see, My bad...not ammonia or tannins, more like Beeswax and sweet floral. That sounds good obviously. (I wasn't sure- I think you had said the same flavors in your punch punch were bad.) I like the El Principe a lot. I have gotten toasted marshmallow and orange from them.

Almond is a nice note too and I get an almond note from time to time that's sometimes pine nuts - that is sweet & very nice indeed. I also find floral notes to be pleasant as well and there is a distinct sweet floral note I hunt for and get at times from numerous brands that have been aged long enough. If I had to describe it, Id say it is kind of a mix of dried fruit & floral.

[99call]

2 hours ago, Habanoschris said:

I see, My bad...not ammonia or tannins, more like Beeswax and sweet floral. That sounds good obviously.

Not 'your bad' at all. I think this all boils down to. Does the individual see furniture polish as a pleasant or acrid note.  If it's registering as bitter, chemically or metallic, then yes that is most likely youth. If it's registering as sweetness, florals and aromatics, then I would say this is representative of age. 

[Ford2112]

At least it wasn't a shoe polish note.

[TacoSauce]

3 hours ago, Ford2112 said:

At least it wasn't a shoe polish note.

I find that shoe polish is a note that I get off of the wrapper on many cigars (pre-light). I find that the pungent aroma is often a harbinger of a a tasty experience. That being said, I don't think I've experienced shoe polish as a note *after* lighting the cigar. 

[EasternPromises]

All - thanks for the responses. The furniture polish note was not a pleasant one to my palate. Felt like I was chewing on a cheap chesterfield sofa 😅. To be honest, I’m not a fan of almonds or almond notes more generally either! I’ve smoked quite a few El Principes and have generally enjoyed them but this was the first one where I’ve wanted to turf it. 

Hopefully it was just a youth or a bad cigar issue!

[jakebarnes]

Sounds like a young Punch Punch for me lately. Get that note for sure. 

[Li Bai]

18 hours ago, EasternPromises said:

After a long day of back-to-back meetings at work, I came home and had a nice dinner with my missus before venturing out to the balcony to enjoy a cigar. I didn’t have much time to smoke so lit up a ScdlH El Principe which started out well enough with a little bit of sweetness and Cuban twang but then rapidly devolved into what I can only describe as strong furniture polish (is this what some people describe as almonds?). The last time this happened was 18-24 months ago when I smoked a Punch Punch. That Punch Punch was a loose single which I had picked up at B&M and so potentially may have been a little young and which have explained the furniture polish note. This El Principe was not “young” and had been sitting in my humidor for 2+ years. 

It was just one bad cigar and so not a big deal but I’m curious to hear the forum’s views on what might have caused this furniture polish note. Was it youth, poor storage or just bad luck?

What did you have for dinner and what were you drinking? 

[Wookie]

I remember a box of Unicos that tasted like dirt ROTT. I let them sit for 2 years and, voila, they were awesome.  

[La_Tigre]

Had a couple a few years ago with what I could only describe as harsh Pinesol flavor. Gack. 

[EasternPromises]

21 hours ago, Li Bai said:

What did you have for dinner and what were you drinking? 

Grilled chicken with red cabbage and a pale ale beer. First time I've eat eaten this before smoking so suppose it might have played a part but the furniture polish tasted more "intrinsic" and like it came from the cigar.

[Li Bai]

What you experienced as a flavour is indeed not directly communicable to anyone (just like any other personal experience in any field) but maybe it was the cabbage who altered your senses. Also I've already seen little plastic bits inside cigars 😅

Or maybe the torcedor rolled that cigar with a little something on his/her hands, it's impossible to tell 🤔

[Glass Half Full]

On 5/29/2024 at 5:50 PM, Ford2112 said:

At least it wasn't a shoe polish note.

…Or the contrary of “shine-ola”