im so glad i am able to write the editors of CA. you guys are who i need to be talking to. let me send an issue im having your way. im new to cigars, probably eight months into it. the cigar world grabbed me the the neck and pulled me in. im hooked. in eight months ive bought two humidors and changed my taste from cigars like drew estate acids and naturals to fuentes, padrons, la flor, diamond crown. i had to give or sell the drew estates b/c when i went back to try to smoke them i swear i could taste the low quality of tobacco. not to mention the odd flavor on the acid wrappers that once called to my tastebuds but now repulsed them. here's my problem. im ever trying to train my palate. try as i might i cannot pick up on simple notes. all i can taste is whether the cigar is sweet or bitter, balanced or not. this is all with the tobacco flavor which of course should fill you mouth with pleasentries. i have once read where there is a true technique to tasting a cigar. it is to exhale the smoke out of your nose along with your mouth. (not inhaling). now i have gotten this technique to work several times but the problem is that all i taste is a toast taste. sometimes burnt toast, sometime just the nice toast taste. can you impart some of your wisdom in all your experience to me. how can i become a better taster of cigars

Try a cuban. It will work wonders on your taste perceptions.

thanks for the recommend but im not asking about what cigar tastes good, im asking about taste techniques

OK, try this: get yourself one Macanudo Hyde Park Cafe, a Padrón 3000 or 4000 and a La Flor Dominicana Double Ligero Chisel. This should help you ID some of the basic flavors we talk about in Cigar Aficionado. Start with the Mac. As you light and smoke, try to think about creamy flavors, maybe some grassy notes, and yes, blow a bit of smoke out your nose. See if you taste anything that reminds you of something that's creamy, like a cup of very milky coffee or even some ice cream.

After a palate cleanser (black coffee followed by water works well) light the Padron. Now think of cocoa beans, or a cup of hot cocoa. I bet you'll discern that and maybe some other flavors.

Cleanse your palate again, and light the La Flor. As you smoke, think about the leathery aroma you get when you sniff a belt or wallet. Also think red pepper. I bet you can ID those flavors.

The way to do this is to relax and think. As you smoke, try to think of flavors and aromas you've experienced, and try to think which of them most closely match the taste you're getting. It's not always easy, but it's supposed to be fun. the more you do it, the better it will be.

Enjoy.

hey thanks alot david, you know, ive never sat down and smoked more than one cigar a night but i see exactly what you are saying. ill definitely try that. let me asked you this. i know CA is used to defining cigar taste with food, ie: cocoa, dried herb, pepper, coffee, leather(not food). i dont know the last time i tasted a belt or put nutmeg on my tongue. what im getting at is, do not some actually use tastebud terms. for instance 'that cigar was rich with some bitter but there's some sweet there'. or 'that cigar was heavy with notes of salt and a bitter finish. i know you guys are way ahead of me, which is great b/c you are who i look to for advice, but these terms in the past eight months have helped me to best describe the cigars i have smoked. hey, i thank you for your advice and look forward to talking with you in the future. i will definitely take a saturday and do just what you said. i dont have a double ligero but i do have a coronado.