Review terminology

[SvilleKid]

Originally Posted by Bill86

I personally hate when people say "barnyard smell". I for one believe 2 things
1. 99% of these people have never smelled a barnyard
2. They say this because everyone else does. (oh yeah barnyard definitely ....no big on this one) I almost disregard reviews completely when I hear this, I certainly stop the videos.

I would accept, hay or straw or something of that sort though. To me a barnyard would probably smell foul or filthy or like animals. I don't think cigars smell like that, at all. If they did I probably wouldn't smoke them.

What I do is this, I smoke a cigar in my head I remember what I taste. Then I compare my notes (mental notes, no one including myself could read my writing) to other reviews (often by the vendors or other members of CA). Usually I'm shooting 90%+ on what other people pick up. I might miss a bit here and there, but as long as the review isn't done by a professional food taster that can pick out every last spice/seasoning I'm not doing too bad.

I have to respectfully disagree about the filthy assessment of barnyards. I have smelled barnyards. Grew up around them. I've raised chickens, cows and horses. Have family that raised sheep, pigs, even llamas. oooo35980 is correct in that, unless you are talking about a pig sty, or a cattle feedlot yard, there is much more grass/hay type smells than poop/filth stink. And, when you are talking about cows and horses, unless they are sick, their manure is mostly grass. If they have a lot of grain in their manure, then they are being fed too much grain, and will have nasty, runny, stinky manure. Not a situation a competent rancher/farmer allows!

I will readily agree that I have never tasted a cigar that tasted like a filthy feedlot or pig sty. I have smelled several cigars that strongly scream barnyard (earthy, peaty, composting hay/grass to me) to me, mostly those have been maduros. I have tasted and smelled many cigars that scream fresh hay (and I've hauled hay since I was 14, so I know that smell way better than I prefer!!).

As to the many and varied tastes described, we should all remember that everyone has different tastes (buds)! What I think taste like anise may not be what others think of as anise (liquorice flavor). I like the taste of cooked animal liver and can describe it, but that might not be what it taste like to others. My wife gets physically sick (almost to the point of throwing up) at the smell of skunk if we pass where one has been hit. On the other hand, that smell doesn't bother me in the least.

Bottom line to the newbies to the hobby, don't be discouraged if you don't pick up all the tastes others describe. Due to your own special taste buds, you may never be able to taste all those that are described! As long as you enjoy what you are smoking, go with it. And to damn with what any others (me included) think about your taste preferences!!!!