My Palate and My Thoughts
RCY Cigars
Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 5,346
Well guys and gals, there is one thing that really intrigues me about our hobby. That's right you guess it, my palate. A few days ago, I had a conversation with a older gentleman at my B&M. I asked him why when I see him, he always has a Padron in his hand. It does not matter if it's a Padron 2000 or one of the Anniversary series. He will not change from that brand. He told me, "son, at this age you know what you like and what suits your palate. Why waste your money and your time on smoking cigars you don't like? Or better yet, find okay". I thought about what he said for a while. While having this conversation and dwelling on some of his points. I came to the conclusion that he is a cigar smoker. I am too, but I also collect them which makes me a hobbyist. Which in return makes me enjoy the pleasure of smoking a cigar more. Which could lead down another topic. But anyway, I posted a picture of a cigar I smoked the other day. And this topic sorta came up again for me while posting with Dennis. Before I go any further. This is not a rant or anything like that. Just a subject that interest me. Back to what I was talking about. I happen to have enjoyed that cigar very much. So much to the point that I made it clear that it was box worthy for me. Dennis posted after some comments. In which he didn't have a good experience with the same cigar. I remember being in Germany when I was really just starting out smoking. One of my rookie mistakes was buying boxes of cigars. One of them happen to be the CAO Brazilia Amazon. This cigar tore me apart. It was strong and I did not like it at all. LT(Lakota72) told me he had no problem taking them off my hands. But I should try a smaller size, which I did. I didn't like them either and I believe they were the Lambada size. A year and a half later. I bought some Gol!'s, they are the robusto size. And I still can't get into them. I posted in Top 3 you dont want....in your humi that I didn't want these anymore. I recieved almost ten responses to that in PM's. Which let's me know that all those guys including LT likes them. But not me, which makes me wonder why is that? I know a lot of it had to with the strength of it. Which I have noted for sure. What I think is mild to full strength is not what some think and what is said in some magazines about cigars. Dennis opened my eyes when he called the cigar I smoked a mild cigar. I did not say anything at the time. But, I did post that it was medium to me. Wow, now I'm questioning my experience with cigars. Not in a good or bad way. But in a way that truly defines us all. We (people in general) are different in many ways. Sad to say a little, I was thinking I don't enjoy to many full body cigars. But that's crazy, because I enjoy Camacho cigars to death. And I don't feel sickly or have a bad taste about them. Which brings me back to our palates. Everyone is unique and will have a different experience for the most, I guess 
. Anyway, I applaud anyone that has taken the time and interest in my little post here, lol. Just a little bit of my thoughts for today. Thanks for reading.....
. Anyway, I applaud anyone that has taken the time and interest in my little post here, lol. Just a little bit of my thoughts for today. Thanks for reading.....
Comments
I've tried the gamut - from mild to rip-off-your-head-and-spit-down-your-throat and only a few stand out in my memory. At the moment, I've reverted to the mild stage once more. Connies seem pretty good to me right now but I'm sure I'll get bored with 'em before long and then I don't know what I'll be obsessing about. Oh, well, life's a mystery, isn't it??
Either way....in the immortal words of BandyT....a cigar is just a cigar. The personal enjoyment is what it is all about and the experience.
Works the other way too, as Ive bought five packs of cigars and tried them with my initial opinion being "They're OK, but not a grand slam...". Forget about a few of them in the bottom of the humi, revisit and be like OMG THESE ARE AWESOME!!! I just figured it was the difference some aging made (and this could be part of it as was the case for me with 601 Green's & Cubao's), but now Ive gotta wonder how much a changing palate plays in it.
Only one solution I can see to the issue boys - KEEP SMOKING! :-)
And also, I'm with you Rick, if I don't like a cigar & think that it's "bad", I will usually give it 1 or 2 more chances usually in different vitolas - just to rule out the possibility of it being an anomaly and to make sure it's actually a blend I don't like before writing it off completely.
I'm also trying to find the ever-elusive "perfect" smoke....but I don't think I'll ever find it. Mainly because of what Russ said.... I couldn't imagine only smoking one brand of cigar, there's just too much else out there to try. I can understand having mostly one brand if that's what you enjoy, but I would still be open to trying others - "variety is the spice of life" you know.
To add another one. I remember AlienMisprint sent a fiver of Carlos Torano Dominico's from 2009 in a troop bombing that you guys in the forum did for my unit. I recall smoking it and posting about how good it was. AlienMisprint said he wasn't too thrill by them. But, he had not smoked one since 2009 and that they had been resting. Man, maybe the time did the cigar a lot of justice or I just have a palate that is very different. At any rate, like Sniper said. Keep smoking fellas
What I find most interesting is how sites I purchase from all rate each brand differently when it comes to flavor and strength profile. What some say are mild will have your head spinning running for the bushes and I have smoked some that were rated Full on both profiles and to me seemed medium. For now I have found many I would consider "My Perfect Smoke" and those boxes are tucked nice and safe in my coolidor
I've seen this time and time again. I have limit my reading in that regard. I take what I've learned about my taste buds and try not to think about what I have read. This is another reason why I have not done a ton of reviews. Because I have read a bunch of them. In all honesty, I write about each cigar I smoke. Basically a generalization of it's character. Just so I can remember it. But, when one jumps out at me. I remind myself to smoke it again. And that's when I do I full blown review. It's funny to me when I do this. People tend to have a different taste or thought. I remember seeing Kuzi's wheel tasting or something like that. I have to print that one out again. It help me out with distinguishing different tastes. Anyway, I think I'm starting to do run-on sentences, lol. The computer is getting blurry, lol....
I like Scotch and that's also a very subjective thing. I like the heavy peated smokey stuff. My Scotch drinking buddy likes fruity / carmel like stuff. We both enjoy it but there is a blend that fits us just right. Just like that old guy and his Padron. However, I'm a hobbyist and I like the discovery of new blends and collecting stuff. I know what I like but I like to try other stuff as well. I'm not afraid to toss a stick though if it doesnt fit in to my preferred profile. Again, this is a great post Rick.
Interesting posts this week. I have to elaborate on my thoughts on some things that have been brought to my attention. But first Dennis, I never address your statement. Sorry for the long wait. A opinon is ones own thought or feelings about a topic. To further express my thoughts. This also ties in to some of what is being discussed in Alex's thread today. Dennis, I've smoked a bunch of high end cigars and budget cigars. IMO, this is all subjective in many ways. From your taste to price in a nutshell
I have a cigar to make for a better experience of my day. Where most will have one for a special moment or because it reminds them of a certain time or place. Man, I like figuring my palate out, lol. Thanks for reading whoever you are. Once again, just my thoughts. Your thoughts is much appreciated as well....
You know, I don't try a lot of different bourbons, or wine anymore, 'cause I know what I like. I'm getting the same way with my cigars. I've decided that I'm really not a collector, so more often than not, I'm sticking to two or three cigars most of the time, because I know what I like.
I don't expect perfection in my friends, because nobody is perfect, so why should I expect it from my cigar?. I know what I like. I probably won't stop trying new cigars altogether, but I'm all for slowing down a bit and enjoying the ones I know I will enjoy.
Thats interesting that you have to carve out time to just sit and smoke. I don't think I could do that. I actually find that I have a hard time sitting still when I smoke a cigar. I find that I have to be doing something else to at least partially hold my attention, but I think it goes back to why I got into the hobby. I was a chewer. Not the kind of chewer that always had a cheek full, but if I had something mindess to do, like watching a movie or long road trips, or had to stay up all night studying in college I'd always have a pouch or redman on me.
So now I actually get a bit antsy if i'm not doing something at least partially productive. Part of that is a ridiculously busy schedule, where my only time is once the little dude goes to bed and my wife and I can get outside together with the dogs, but even when I smoke solo, I'm still either reading, watching a movie, studying, or doing some mindless yardwork.
Also I love your assessment of quality. I get a little tired of the majority of the focus being on limited or HTF sticks. Jiunn and I we're talking about this a little bit ago. I have more respect for the cigars that can consistently score in the 90s year in and year out than the one hit wonders, or limited stuff. On occassion limited stuff is cool, but there's been A LOT of that the last few years.
Guess I ended up rambling a bit too . . . . . to summarize I agree with you on your assessment of quality.