Anyone can smoke a cigar, but only a few fully enjoy it. Do not read this wrong; smoking a cigar on its own is an enjoyment best explained by people who have experienced it.
However, you will likely notice that your second or third puff lacks the enjoyable flavor of the first. This is a stage many cigar aficionados have experienced and learned how to handle better.
Being aware and getting drowned in the cloud of a cigar flavor is a next-level experience only enjoyed by a few. This article will help you build your palate and identify the perfect profile for optimal enjoyment.
As a beginner, a cigar lounge is the perfect place to meet other cigar enthusiasts. You not only get to enjoy cigars but also socialize and make new friends.
Cigar bars such as cigar lounge Orlando are the perfect location to thoroughly taste and appreciate cigars in absolute comfort. They typically have staff that are extremely knowledgeable about tobacco and varieties of flavors to try out.
You will also be able to learn about the long and rich history of cigars, including the different types of cigars, how they are made, and the culture surrounding them. This can save you years of research and significantly improve your cigar experience.
Your palate needs to be cleansed to properly notice the flavor of a cigar and decide on your favorite. The mouth contains the palate, tongue, cheek, and esophagus. These oral parts have taste buds, which are receptors of flavor located on them.
Cleansing these taste buds helps remove any residual flavor from previously consumed food or drink, so you can experience the full flavor profile of each smoke. This will enable your palate to pick up even the tiniest of flavors and enjoy the cigar to the fullest.
The goal is to cleanse without introducing strong flavors that might compete with the cigar. A glass of water, sparkling water, club soda, unsweetened tea, black coffee, lemon sorbet, dark chocolate, and water crackers are some of the palate cleansers you can try.
What works for each person differs; therefore, you will have to try more than one cleanser to see which does the magic for you.
If there is a secret experienced cigar smokers know, it is that you need to focus to notice the magic on your palate. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a cigar while reading a book or participating in a conversation, but whenever you want to indeed enjoy the flavor, it is important to avoid all distractions.
A cigar time is like a mini vacation when you get the chance to break away from your daily stress and enjoy the present. If playing music, reading a book, watching a movie, or just closing your eyes helps you focus, do it while enjoying your cigar.
You may also visit a cigar bar, which is typically designed to be chill and inviting. Comfortable seating, good ventilation, and a focus on unwinding create a perfect escape from the daily grind. The environment is designed to make you comfortable and have an enjoyable experience.
Drinks can enhance your cigar-smoking experience. A perfect drink pairing will contrast or balance the flavor of a cigar. You can think of it as magnifying certain tastebud sensations. For example, a sweet drink may subdue some bitterness in a cigar, while a bold spirit can accentuate the cigar’s spicier notes.
Generally, there are two types of pairing: complementary and contradictory. A complementary pairing is when the drink and the cigar have some flavor and aromatic notes in common.
Contradictory pairing involves a drink and a cigar that have no flavor or aromatic notes in common. They are carefully chosen so that one brings out the nuanced properties of the other.
Some of the popular drinks you can pair with a cigar include:
However, the best drink to pair with a cigar is dependent on your personal preference and the kind of effect you intend to get.
The cigar experience is a journey, even for connoisseurs. Even after finding your favorite flavor and brand, the experience of testing a new flavor will always remain thrilling.
Do not be scared to experiment with different cigar flavors and brands before settling for a favorite. As you are experimenting with different smells and tastes, you are also building your palate to interpret different notes.
Enjoying a cigar is an art, and it takes time to master. Do not rush things, but remain alert to note the best techniques that give you the utmost pleasure.
Be relaxed and savor your cigar when smoking. Allow the smoke to linger in your mouth and appreciate the flavors. Avoid puffing too frequently; take your time.
Ash management is also important. Do not tap the ash too forcefully and repeatedly. Let it build naturally until it falls on its own or becomes too long.
