If you're a serious cigar connoisseur, it's time to learn about the cold taste. Doing a cold taste is very much like sniffing a glass of wine before drinking it. This process involves clipping the cigar, inserting it into your mouth and taking a few inhales before lighting it.
While this concept may sound strange, you'd be surprised by how helpful it is. By taking a drag from your cigar before it has been lit, you'll be able to experience all of those flavor nuances. This can help you get a general feel of the cigar's flavor profile before you commit to a full smoking session.
The Benefits of a Cold Taste:
Detect Unfavorable Flavor Notes
To the cigar enthusiast, nothing is more disappointing than taking the time to light up a cigar only to discover that its flavor profile is unappealing. By doing a cold taste, you'll be able to pick up any undesirable flavor notes before lighting up. Certain notes will be more apparent when the cigar is unlit.
Enjoy More Subtle Notes
Believe it or not, there's a noticeable difference between the flavor profile of a lit cigar and the flavor of a cigar that's cold. A cold taste may allow you to enjoy more subtle flavor notes that are not as easily detected once the tobacco has been exposed to heat. You may discover that certain spices or woodsy notes shine during a cold taste.
Demonstrate Your Authority
There's nothing wrong with wanting to display your authority to your friends. Doing a cold taste shows off your knowledge of cigars to those around you. It lets people know that you take your cigar hobby very seriously and have a uniquely refined palate.
There are many benefits to giving a cigar a cold taste before exposing it to a flame. This process allows you to experience the cigar's complex flavor before going through the trouble of lighting it. This can save you time while training your palate to detect the nuances of different types of tobacco.