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The title is a slight exaggeration. I am not always able to taste my cigars (sometimes I literally just get the taste of "smoke" or "steam"). I thought I was puffing too often but the problem persists even if I take exactly one puff per minute. I think the problem may be related to RH (many B&M keep them at >70RH) and I have had most good smokes after dryboxing them (at the time unconsciously). Right now I am slowly converting my humidor to 62RH from 69RH. However I've met some people who claim to enjoy their cigars at >72RH. How is that possible? I seem to be able to fully taste and smell everything else, why cigars? I'm not complaining about not noticing subtle flavor notes I'm complaining about not being able to enjoy them at all. I wanted to know everyone's opinion on this topic, and any advice because it's a bit frustrating. I'd especially like to know how common this problem is because I have heard others speak out about this on other forums etc., etc. but usually they seem to be the odd-man out! P.S. Also how intense is the flavor of the average cigar meant to be? I only ask this because on a good smoke (after days of dryboxing) I can get an AF 858 to taste very smooth and nutty and a Hemingway to taste like caramel and a Flor de las Antilles to have raisin like notes, very intense flavors like a candy bar that lasts for an hour. But a while back I dryboxed a La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor for a day and got NOTHING out of it. Was straining to notice any flavor out of it.

Hey, I've searched around and found a few tidbits but I wanted to see if anyone had experience with aging in Spanish Cedar (for years) vs. Coolidors, etc..., specifically in how it affects flavor development within cigars. I'm familiar with SCedar's benefits/characteristics--and love the smell of my desktop humi--but I think I read somewhere that aging in SCedar, over long periods, gives a "spiciness" to cigars, can anyone attest to this? Not too big on spicy personally, and am thinking of a humidor build... so eyeing Sapele which may be a bit more "neutral". Thoughts?

We all have our favorites. I'm generally a lover of 'dessert' flavors (coffee, cocoa, vanilla, cream, honey, baking spices). That is not what this thread is about though! This thread is about those flavors that send you running for the hills (or at least back to the humidor!) For me personally there are two flavors that I really try to avoid: 1) Big black pepper 2) Damp soil/barnyard I typically blame my general aversion to black pepper for being what really got me hooked on Habanos, as I get very little black pepper from Cuban tobacco. What say you FOH? What are your LEAST favorite cigar flavors?