A Palate for Tobacco

[brightleaf]

I have similar opinions to what has already been said. The only things I would add is that the taste can also change in the same pipe after it develops a char/resin crust layer. My palette has also changed when I have been sick, so I would guess that our palette can be affected by many variables. I would recommend trying different blends and trying to detect the ghosting that happens for the following few bowls after switching blends. This will let you have a clear idea of the main flavors in a blend.
As for coffee. I drink it black. I used to drink dark roasts until I learned lighter roasts contain more caffeine. I like the caffeine more than any other aspect of coffee.

 

[sumusfumus]

I have also become aware that while and after sucking on a Extra Strength-Cepacol cough drop, the tobaccos lose flavor. I can't seem to taste any oatmeal, nuts, figs, raisins, oats, graham crackers, vanilla candy, popcorn, butter.....or detect any floral notes.
But seriously....a clogged nose, chest rubs, sore throat, cough drops, medicines, colognes, aftershave lotion, soaps, sachets, scented candles, and other strong fragrances...can ruin a good smoke, and, ruin a good pipe. I think colognes, after shave lotions, and perfumes are almost as bad as a death sentence if the chemical scent gets on a pipe or tobaccos. You may as well just sip on the perfume bottle, and it's difficult, very difficult... to remove. Talk about ghosting!
Frank

NYC

 

[sittingbear]

I've been smoking pipes for years, and I'm still learning. I don't think a flavor profile is really a static thing. Our tastes change over time. I've heard it said that beginners go for aromatics, intermediates like Englishes, and older folks prefer Virginias. I don't know if that's true, that's just what I've heard.
I, too, like dark to medium coffees. I drink it black. I don't do flavored coffees, unless it's a natural flavoring, such as New Mexico Pinon Coffee (i.e., no added flavorings, such as Vanilla or Hazelnut). I also drink a lot of black tea, black, unless I'm drinking a Gunpowder (tea, sugar, cream, and rum)!
When learning tobacco, the best thing I did was go and get a two or three samples from each major category of pipe tobacco. That way, I could taste the differences BETWEEN and WITHIN the types. Start with Virginias, because they tend to be the lightest, sweetest, and most subtle. Then try a couple of VaPers to get a sense of the Perique spectrum. Then move on to Burleys, which tend to be a little earthier, woodier, and nuttier. Then try a couple of English blends, which usually have Latakia. Finally, try some Oriental-forward blends, such as a good Balkan. If you like Aromatics, go for it, but you kinda know what you're getting into there. Unless it's a quality Aro, you're getting the flavor of whatever syrup they put in the blend. If you smoke samples from these categories, you'll have a pretty good idea of the basic spectrum of pipe tobacco. I recommend the following blends:
Virginias: Capstan Blue Flake, McClelland Mature Virigina #27, Orlik Golden Sliced (although some would contend this is a VaPer, and pairs nicely with Earl Grey Tea).
VaPers (Viriginia/Perique): Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake (this pairs nicely with black tea), Escudo, Haddo's Delight. These blends will reveal the spectrum of Perique, which can taste by turns like spicy pepper or sweet plums.
Burleys: Solani Aged Burley Flake, Peterson Irish Flake, Cornell & Diehl Burley Flake #1
English blends: Nightcap (if you can still get it), Frog Morton, G.L. Pease Da Vinci (for a real Lat-bomb!)
Balkans: Balkan Sobranie, McClelland Balkan Blue (formerly known as Blue Mountain), C&D Mountain Camp
If you smoke these 15 blends, you'll have a pretty good idea of what's out there. Dedicate a pipe for each category; in other words, don't smoke a Virginia blend in a pipe you normally smoke English blends in (cobs are great for this purpose!). I usually give a new blend a try in a few different pipes before making a judgment call.
BONUS ROUND!!! Codger blends (Burley-forward drugstore blends): Carter Hall (or better yet, H&H Chatham Manor), Lane Limited Ready Rubbed, Prince Albert, and Sir Walter Raleigh. These are basic, but perennial classics. I confess, I smoke more Chatham Manor than anything else!
Remember, this is a life-long hobby, not an exam to "cram" for! Take your time, enjoy, and really learn tobacco! Happy Puffing!

 

[sittingbear]

^^ Yikes, that was way longer than I thought! Sorry for the long post!

 

[newbroom]

I love a cup of coffee as much as anyone, and I smoke my pipe when I drink it, but, I think tea is more conducive to a receptive palate.

Once you've begun to get by the burning sensation on the tip of your tongue, you should begin to enjoy more and more of the available flavors.

Initially, I think, we all have to season our tongues and hone our techniques and that we'll have times when we make mistakes or fail to achieve a satisfactory smoke.

Everyone learns at their own pace.

The 'learning' never stops.

 

[deathmetal]

I agree tea is perhaps more optimum than coffee.
It also seems to me -- and seems corroborated by info posted by MSO489, Cosmic, ChasingEmbers and others -- that personal biology determines what will taste good. For some, Virginias are too acidic on the tongue, and probably they should start with Burleys and work their way up to Burley-Virginia mixes. Others take to Virginias or aromatics naturally.

 

[krizzose]

I agree with what some other posters have said about getting your technique down. Until you do, don’t totally write blends off that you didn’t like too much when you were still learning.
And don’t forget how subjective taste really is. Reviews are a place to start, but rely on your own experience. As always, if you like, smoke it.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I can fairly easily tell the difference between blend types, Virginia vs latakia vs oriental vs Burley. I can generally distinguish a dark VA from a light leaf VA. I don't necessarily catch the anise, licorice, fig, blah, blah nor do I care. I'm kind of digital, I really like it and will buy more or not. As far as coffee, I prefer a light to medium roast. To my taster, the dark roast tastes like all the sweeter flavors ere roasted out leaving bitter chocolate as the primary flavor. I don't roast my own beans but do buy quality beans from a coffee store, grind them and prepare the coffee with a French press.
I agree, especially for milder tobacco, tea is a better complimentary beverage than coffee.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Yes, medium roast for French Press, but for my druthers, an Italian or French roast for espresso. Chacq'un à son goût and all that.

 

[thesmokindragon]

I find a great pairing for me is Grady's cold brew coffee with GLP's JackKnife Plug
As for developing taste and finding that nirvana smoke - it does take time, how long really depends on the smoker - but don't expect to taste those wonderful Vs after blasting yourself with Lat blends , hehe - it takes me a full week to reset my taste for Vs after coming away from Lat heavy blends

 

[btp79]

I've been a dedicated cigar smoker for 20+ years and with the pipe seriously for maybe the last year or so. I have yet to detect apricots, stewed raspberries, magic fairy dust or anything else. I could just be too simple a guy, but I'm perfectly content with "like it" or "don't like it" rating system. Now having said that, even if I don't like something, I will still keep it and revisit every now and they to see if my tastes have changed or to see if some down time has helped the tobacco.