Expert: James Yee - 2/26/2010

Question
Hi James,

hope you are doing well.

I have a strange one here. Recently, I was in Cuba on vacation. While there, I was smoking 4-6 Cuban cigars a day. Everything from Monte 2's to Siglo 6's to Hoyo Doubles. Upon my return, I went back to my usual Honduran, Nicaraguan, Dominican cigars (You can appreciate the price difference is huge between them and Cubans!!). I must say that the rest do not taste good at all compared to the Cubans. Now let me make it clear that I don't smoke crap. Opus X, Rocky's, Casa Magna, Oliva and Padron 64's are amongst my regular smokes.
Why is it that they don't taste as good as they once did? Honestly, last night I had a Decade and it was a struggle!! Have I messed up my palate?? I'm on an Edmundo as I write and it tastes unreal..

Thanks for your time

Answer
Hi Thomas,

I would say that your palate (and mind) is still stuck on Cuban cigars at the moment.  This is a fairly common occurence; I've heard from many people that smoke premium non-Cubans (on a daily basis) and after spending a couple of weeks in Cuba, they feel that all their non-Cubans taste weird or terrible and can't compare to the Cuban cigars that they indulged in while on vacation.  Even I'm no stranger to this. ;)  After smoking many Cuban cigars on a single run, an Opus X sometimes doesn't taste right.  It doesn't taste bad, it just doesn't taste right.  What you should do is smoke your Cubans and non-Cubans in moderation and in rotation.  Everytime you smoke, you should also remind yourself that many premium non-Cubans offer flavours and aromas that many Cubans don't have and vice versa.  Cubans and non-Cubans will not taste the same but they each have their positive points, respectively.  When you smoke a premium non-Cuban, focus on the positive and try not to think about Cubans or compare them to non-Cubans.

If you continue to feel that your premium non-Cubans taste weird, take some time off from cigars altogether and let your palate rest for a week or two.  A lot of people that I hear from usually take time off from cigars because they're feeling burned out.  After a few weeks, their natural cravings and appreciation for a premium non-Cuban cigar will return.

Hopes this helps!  As always, if you have any more questions, just ask. :)

Regards,
James