EAR: When nothing tastes good?

[El Presidente]

EAR: Email Assistance Required

 

"Rob, if you could kindly pass this along to the good folks on the forum, I’d be mighty grateful.

Now, I’ll tell y’all, I’m scratchin’ my head here. Since about mid-June, every cigar I’ve pulled from my humidor’s been tastin’… well… just plain blah. Nothing’s changed far as I can tell. I’m feelin’ fine, my food still tastes just as good as ever, and that humidor’s been sittin’ in the same spot it’s been for the last 15 years, steady as a rock at 65/65.

I usually enjoy about three cigars a week, but lately it’s like I’ve lost my spark for ’em. Wonderin’ if any of y’all have ever gone through a spell like this? I’d sure welcome any advice or wisdom you can share"

 

Over to you good folk 

[MagicalBikeRide]

Not something I’ve had happen.

In this persons shoes, I’d probably take a week or two away from cigars and see what happens. 

[Marco_011t556]

It's happened before, especially after being infected by Coronavirus twice.

Rest for a few week, smoke a very good cigar to refresh, and then fall in love with cigar again.

[Montezüma]

Yes. Repetition can be overwhelming (or underwhelming?). So I stock origin variety, to refresh my palate. Usually with a Davidoff, Opus X or maybe with more novelty like an LFD. This is all assuming that the blah wasn't a result of bad luck from mediocre production at Habanos 🫠

33 minutes ago, Marco_011t556 said:

Rest for a few week, smoke a very good cigar to refresh, and then again fall in love with cigar

Actually this is probably a better idea, break for a week could do wonders, its been a while.

[Gubbins]

This happened to me once when I put dry beads in to lower the humidity of my humidor without taking the cigars out. I shocked the humidity way down over a couple of days to try and bring the RH down. Whilst the RH was exactly where I wanted it when I removed the beads, I had to lower the RH about 15% below where it needed it to be for 2/3 days in order to do this. It was only a singles humidor with <50 cigars in it, but after doing that a whole bunch of them tasted lifeless.

Stupid, yes.  But that’s what I put the lack of taste down to, as it only affected cigars from that humidor. You say RH has been level, so probably something else. Just my 2p. Even if RH is level, perhaps dry beads have absorbed some oils from the cigars instead of the general air / cedar. Are the cigars right next to the beads, or do the beads need watering? Probably not, but just a thought.

[anacostiakat]

Dead palate. Happens. Take a break maybe.

[Pixel]

To rule out your humidor as the possible cause of this tasteless experience, try smoking a cigar you’ve had before. This time, get it from a shop or one that’s been stored elsewhere.

[Ayub]

Same thing happens to me when I go back from smoking outdoors in pleasant weather to indoors, when going back to Dubai in hot summer even great cigar have no taste.. only time and a short break from cigars resolve this. Dryboxing helps a little too.

[Ford2112]

I was thinking Covid. One thing I do is switch it up and maybe smoke a Padron. If you can't taste that you may want to see your Dr.

[Havanaaddict]

I have had this happen especially when I was smoking 4 cigars a day 7 days a week! What I did was I went the humidor and pulled out something I knew  in the past had been outstanding. Usually something really old 😂 That always kicked started my palate back into gear! 

Good luck 

[El Presidente]

4 hours ago, Ayub said:

Same thing happens to me when I go back from smoking outdoors in pleasant weather to indoors, when going back to Dubai in hot summer even great cigar have no taste.. only time and a short break from cigars resolve this. Dryboxing helps a little too.

Interesting observation 

Does anyone else notice the difference in the taste of a cigar due to whether it is smoked outdoors or indoors? 

[BrightonCorgi]

Like the same old girl year after year.  Have to switch it up from time to time. 

[MagicalBikeRide]

Nah @El Presidente, can’t say I’ve noticed a difference between indoor (or heavily sheltered outdoor) and completely outdoor. I can probably tell a difference when I have a stick from a London retail humidor and smoke it inside, but I’ve always chalked this up to a combination of the experience (novelty for me to smoke indoors in a nice setting and with great service, etc etc) and the higher humidity that the retailers usually store at (vs my home humidor at 62%). 

[loose_axle]

2 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Interesting observation 

Does anyone else notice the difference in the taste of a cigar due to whether it is smoked outdoors or indoors? 

Yeah, I find indoors is where I get the most flavours. Sheltered outdoors is fine as well. 

[El Presidente]

20 hours ago, Montezüma said:

Yes. Repetition can be overwhelming (or underwhelming?). So I stock origin variety, to refresh my palate. Usually with a Davidoff, Opus X or maybe with more novelty like an LFD. This is all assuming that the blah wasn't a result of bad luck from mediocre production at Habanos 🫠

Actually this is probably a better idea, break for a week could do wonders, its been a while.

I agree with taking a break. 2 weeks/three. 

I also like the idea as well of dabbling with some stock outside of your normal comfort zone. samplers/5 packs etal.  Re-engaging the mind/palate/spirit of adventure. 

Rest first however!

[joeypots]

16 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Interesting observation 

Does anyone else notice the difference in the taste of a cigar due to whether it is smoked outdoors or indoors? 

I prefer to smoke a cigar indoors. The smoke in the air contributes to the overall flavor experience. 

[teamrandr]

I am going against the grain. Smoke more.

[barrygoodvibes]

I recently had this happen, and it turns out, I was having some reflux issues and it was affecting my taste of cigars, but not really my food. I took a week off of smoking and started on some medicine and all is good now.