Palates you respect, follow?

[El Presidente]

We all have different palates. 

You read reviews and maybe watch cigar vids......and there can be a cavalcade of descriptions that leave you wondering " I have never got that flavour in that cigar". Maybe you have never got that flavour in any cigar.   Maybe you have only ever tasted "Tobacco" in a cigar ....and there is nothing wrong with that. 

Question.  

Are there any reviewers out there (let's not call them influencers), whom your palate gravitates to? Reviewers who you can generally allign your shared palate experiences with? 

[BrightonCorgi]

I was like, "Pilates, that's a fun a workout."

[Montezüma]

Once upon of time, Charlie Minato of Halfwheel was so accurate in elaborating the various nuances of a cigar's profile that when it came to me finally lighting said cigar, I was deprived of any surprises whatsoever - I have stopped reading in-depth reviews since that moment 😂

When I am getting a new cigar, I always skip reviews to the end, just to get a rough idea on how the cigar is positioned. A new cigar is a bit of an adventure, so I prefer not to spoil it, I prefer to have my own take. In fact, I read reviews more in-depth after finishing a new cigar to draw comparisons. I also like The Kirb's channels when they review a cigar because they never digest profiles extensively. They tend to describe a cigar as the experience that it was intended to perform.

[Li Bai]

Smoking a cigar is such a multi-layered experience I'm pretty sure nobody can access all of them. 

I don't give much thoughts about flavors and aromas as once a trusted friend/mentor/influencer has told you what he found in a cigar it leaves a print in this tricky b*stard mind of yours... The only language I care for is how one's face lights up when smoking a good cigar.

I trust you @El Presidente, @Ken Gargett, Hamlet, @LizardGizmo and a few good friends of mine who have similar tastes and only up to a certain point, after all we won't be smoking the same cigar from the same box. Listening to more experienced smokers works pretty well for me so far👍

[DeeBeezy]

I am pretty well connected in the cigar industry, I have a lot of friends who are ‘famous’ cigar influencers. The opinion when it comes to tasting cigars that I hold in the highest regard is @El Presidente. I’m not just saying this because it’s his forum, generally I find myself aligned with him with respect to what he considers a cigar that he enjoys or a cigar that is currently smoking well. 
 

I also very much appreciate that despite being a retailer, he is somebody that really understands the value for money proposition of a cigar - he doesn’t buy into the sometimes fabricated hype of cigars with a second (or third) band. He’s a regular production guy, and so am I. The best and most consistent experiences I have had with Cuban cigars have been in the regular production ranges. 

I like the way he presents and describes a cigar’s flavour profile and generally, I find myself agreeing with him. 

[griller]

I don't watch/listed to cigar videos or podcasts, as my cigar information consumption is pretty much this forum and a subscription to CA. Sometimes I'll hit the Reddit subforums "Cigars" and "Cuban Cigars" but that's more to see what people are posting as opposed to gleaning any insight, etc. With this being said, the opinions of the members here are always highly valued to me, especially @JohnS. I love reading his review forum and find my palate preferences reflect his 90% of the time. I'm not sure he would consider himself a "blogger" or "influencer" per se, but he has done a lot for me to gain a greater appreciation for what I'm smoking, the flavor nuances, etc. 

 

[anacostiakat]

Aaarrrggghhhh. . .

[tbelle7]

The FOH reviews (Rob & Ken) are great. The Lounge Lizards guys are generally spot on. The Dr. Joe channel really drove my interest in cigars in the early days. Usman on the Cigar Inspector channel is also decent.

[Lucas Buck]

I’ve had a few smoking buddies whose palates were similar to mine and that is where I put my trust. I’m rarely let down. As far as influencers I don’t really follow anyone so I wouldn’t know. 

[Ruggerpgh99]

Palates are so specific to a person. When I am listening to reviewers, I don't often think about specific flavors, more the overall profile. I am still way behind on the palate game to pick up all of the detail some reviewers can put out for a cigar, but the general process and flavors help me to hone my own palate. I have 3 places where I get some detailed information on cigars: @LizardGizmo and the Lounge Lizard crew has been helpful. Katman and Halfwheel. That is where I can get opinions that I trust to try out new cigars. I have not been let down, and they are helping me to find a lot on the palate that I wouldn't have noticed before. 

[Lamboinee]

One things for sure...I don't trust the palates of people who never say that something sucks. 

[pohlmad]

Lounge Lizards podcast (religiously), FOH video reviews, Sautter Cigars on YouTube, and Cigar Obsession on YouTube. 

[JohnS]

14 hours ago, griller said:

I'm not sure he would consider himself a "blogger" or "influencer" per se, but he has done a lot for me to gain a greater appreciation for what I'm smoking, the flavor nuances, etc.

Thank you. You're right, I don't consider myself a "blogger" or an "influencer". Also, as I age my palate is changing, it's not the same as before. On the other hand, my knowledge of how cigars develop over time and age has increased and I'm just simply content to share that information with others, if they find that helpful.

[Habanoschris]

For me I always liked Dave Dude, I've always just identified w/ the way he speaks about the notes he gets w/ his palate and the progression etc. Very relatable and informative. And if a cigar is young or past its prime he'll say so. (Literally this is something I'm already mentioning in that top 5 thing I keep teasing, lol 🤣) 

John S. - his YouTube & blog here, very informative / relatable.

I also like watching Mecklenburg Cuban Cigars too. Like Dave & John are, straight forward, non-pretentious and down to earth but savvy / interesting.

 

[Çnote]

21 hours ago, Lamboinee said:

One things for sure...I don't trust the palates of people who never say that something sucks. 

Truth.

NCs - If Katman likes something, I'd consider a box. Halfwheel I don't pay much attention to as their metrics and mine aren't the same. I don't put alot of weight into the reviews that are panel composites, it's the math. CA is CA. Honestly, I pay more attention to what's getting poor reviews than stellar.

I cannot heap enough laurels on @JohnS& @El Presidente for laying down signposts on the path of CC. I'll even throw @Ken Gargett some.

[Ford2112]

Jasim

[Jimmy2]

Few here that I know for sometime but that’s about it. So call influencer's do nothing for me.

Been smoking cigars long enough everyone’s tastes are different. What one would say is great might not be the same for others.

Just buy singles and try for yourself .

 

[Cigar Surgeon]

On 5/9/2025 at 6:11 PM, Lamboinee said:

One things for sure...I don't trust the palates of people who never say that something sucks. 

Ironically the number one complaint we get is that "we don't even like cigars". Consistently week over week. 

[RSG]

FOH TV for Cubans and Cigar Coop for new world. My trusted local lounge owners and patrons (also New World).

I also enjoy reviews by Dutchcigars. There used to be a 'tuber that went by Dr. Joe or something I really found interesting. I like watching Ali Al-Lami's reviews.

[Ford2112]

I pay attention to the opinions and tastes of folks on here and abroad, but I always try things out for myself. I like what I like for the reasons I like it.

[Edicion]

We've got two seasoned palates here on FOH. The King of the last blind tasting competition @Bijan and the cigar flavor description magician @Chucko8. 

[Havanaaddict]

I have a few friends that have smoked and have gifted me some crazy sticks over the years Cubatabaco 25th, Habanos 1994, Davidoffs, Dunhills Partagas 150's & 155th,  Cohiba 30th they have expanded and taught me to open my palate! I am forever grateful for there generosity and time we have spent together exploring all these cigars!

 

[yuppie]

I need more cuban review content to consume.