Palate fatigue?

Today I lit up an Undercrown Flying Pig, sent to me by @sparky426 who was extremely generous with me in the Noobie Trade.

About halfway through the flavor changed to what I can only describe as "chemical" and all of the other flavors faded away or were masked by this new flavor.

I kept my cigars at 72%, and I smoke them slowly (80 minutes for this one), so I don't think I am smoking them too quickly and making it burn too hot.

I use a 9mm punch, but I didn't see any black sludge collected there.

Is it just palate fatigue? This was my 11th cigar, ever, so I'm still quite new to everything.

72% is too wet... and will cause odd flavors.

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Originally Posted by Zeede

Today I lit up an Undercrown Flying Pig, sent to me by @sparky426 who was extremely generous with me in the Noobie Trade.



About halfway through the flavor changed to what I can only describe as "chemical" and all of the other flavors faded away or were masked by this new flavor.



I kept my cigars at 72%, and I smoke them slowly (80 minutes for this one), so I don't think I am smoking them too quickly and making it burn too hot.



I use a 9mm punch, but I didn't see any black sludge collected there.



Is it just palate fatigue? This was my 11th cigar, ever, so I'm still quite new to everything.

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It sounds like every cigar you get from this guy Sparky is tainted. 72% is high in my opinion, did the cigar feel spongy? I had about six of those guys(from which you received one) and the two I smoked were IMO not bad, definitely no chemical taste. I have another full box if you want to try again. 😎

I now have them in there with a 69%, so we'll see how that goes.

Edit: sparky426, you are not responsible for me being a n00b :)

Actually what I think is happening is that you have only smoked about a dozen cigars in your new hobby and your palate is being introduced to lots of new flavors. So it may be overwhelmed. I know you like drinking sweet tea but when you start to notice an unpleasant taste from a cigar I would switch to maybe some water or smelling some fresh coffee to try to cleanse your palate. This may or may not work being as everyone's palate's are different but it's worth a short. I do recall you just getting over from being sick so that may play a factor too.

I guess the issue is I don't know if my palate being overwhelmed is what's really happening. I can definitely try switching to water. I like the sweet tea because the sugar helps keep me puffing and vertical :) Actually, ever since my second cigar got me really nauseated, eating a meal right beforehand AND having something to drink that is sweet has completely kept the nausea away. I might get a bit lightheaded, but that's about it. Maybe it's time to see if my body is used enough to it that I can get away with a full stomach and just plain water.

I did get over being sick on Monday, but I don't think that's it because I have noticed this odd flavor before with other cigars I've smoked, it just usually happened much later on.

I try to drink water with all cigars, even when I have a cup of coffee with it I'll have another glass that is ice water. Two other things, one: Maybe stick with milder smokes for now and build up, two: Have a small sweet treat like a snickers bar or candy bar you enjoy nearby while smoking the stronger ones.

I was thinking I could dissolve a bunch of sugar into plain water then set a pitcher of it into my fridge. That way I can have some water with just some sugar and no other flavors. Or maybe sugar cubes, just pop one in if needed.

sparky426: You bring up a good point. Obviously nicotine bomb cigars will have a greater chance of giving me some nausea, but it's also possible that it's affecting my taste too.

@Zeede . Dang, eleven cigars ever? and you've had nausea, light-headedness, and chemical tastes? Way to hand in there, bro. Unfortunately most noobs would have bagged it by now. Stick with it and you will be rewarded. It is a matter of seeing what works for you, and that is why it is so fun!

I've never had a problem with nicotine from any cigar. I don't know if one has ever even given me a buzz. But there is a couple pipe tobaccos that can get me a little light headed. Man tobacco I call them :p When that happens, I find that Sweet Tea or Coke gets rid of the spins real fast. I haven't been nauseous from tobacco since I was in middle school, so no advice there :lol:

Another thing to consider is only smoking smaller vitola's until you become more accustomed to the vitamin N hit.

As far as palate fatigue is concerned though, it is definitely a real thing. I find that if I smoke a lot of full bodied things back to back to back that all the flavors start to become muddled. Or if I smoke something heavy, then something mild after it. Water really helps clear things up too. Not beer or bourbon...which is what I usually am drinking when smoking... :rolleyes:

I dont think its the Sweet Tea and how dare a "Southern Boy" ever blame the tea...:stogie: I usually drink Mt. Dew with my cigar and my cousin who is as much as a noob as you usually had a Dr. Pepper but tried with the Dew and was really surprised with the different flavors he experienced with the citrus of the Dew over the caramel of the Dr. Pepper. its all an adventure as to what you enjoy and what works for you.

I think you maybe overdoing a lil on the palate maybe but i think the 70%+ rh is the real culprit...

I tried to smoke yesterday between storms and the humidity completely ruined the cigar and the experience...but this morning was sublime with 60* and 40% humidity.


Good Luck


The Troll

I believe the problem will resolve itself once you can no longer recall what number of cigar you've smoked. :p


(Also... 60-65% rh storage FTW)

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Originally Posted by Branzig

I've never had a problem with nicotine from any cigar. I don't know if one has ever even given me a buzz. But there is a couple pipe tobaccos that can get me a little light headed. Man tobacco I call them :p

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I've only been light headed from pipe baccy once.
Just FYI, if you're nicotine sensitive, don't smoke 2 bowls of Nightcap back to back, then smoke a bowl of 1792 flake immediately afterwards.

And for the OP, I bet when you give your cigars time to acclimate to a lower RH I bet you'll find them more enjoyable. I like mine in the 63%-66% range myself.

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Originally Posted by Cool Breeze

I've only been light headed from pipe baccy once.
Just FYI, if you're nicotine sensitive, don't smoke 2 bowls of Nightcap back to back, then smoke a bowl of 1792 flake immediately afterwards.

And for the OP, I bet when you give your cigars time to acclimate to a lower RH I bet you'll find them more enjoyable. I like mine in the 63%-66% range myself.

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I used to chain smoke Nightcap all night while writing in college :p I think my record was like 10 bowls in one night while writing about current events in the middle east...Not to mention I would semi inhale back then too.... :lol:

No wonder I struggle getting a Nicotine hit.

I concur on the 60%-65% RH. I like mine arounf 63% myself. Keeps decent flavor and eliminates burn issues.