Tasting Cigars - The Retrohale
For optimal tasting, retrohaling your cigar is a technique I recommend every few puffs, at the very least. So you ask, what the heck is a retrohale, why even do it, and how do you?
What is retro-hale?
Basically, it means drawing the smoke into your mouth like normal (never lungs), and exhaling a portion of the smoke out through the nose, actually it doesn't even require smoke to fully exit the nostrils.
The term is widely used with cigar smokers, but it is actually a newer word coined back around 2007, retrohale is a combination of two terms, retro-nasal olfaction and exhale.
We all know what exhale means, but I bet you are wondering what the heck retro-nasal olfaction is? Retro-nasal olfaction is the perception of aromas emanating from the oral cavity during eating and drinking, In other words, “smelling the back of the nose”. Retro-nasal olfaction, or retrohaling, is opposed to orthonasal olfaction, which occurs during sniffing and happens at the front of the nose, such as when one is smelling a flower.
The retro-nasal olfactory pathway, which contributes to the flavors of food and drink, is commonly associated with the sense of taste.
graphic source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Both of these work together, along with the tongue's taste buds to create taste as we know it. Remember the last time you have a cold with stuffy nose, or severe allergies that discombobulated your nose? What happened to your sense of taste? During these times my palette becomes completely dulled, to the point that I can barely recognize any flavors in the food or drinks I consume. So I declare, we give our taste buds too much clout.
We all have learned there are 4-6 basic tastes that the tongue can perceive; sweet, sour, salty, and bitter being the primary.., then probably two more; fat, and savory. The sense of smell has a much broader spectrum of flavor "tasting" qualities. This is why we can experience a wide range of flavors with food, the same can be done, and should be, with cigars.
All cigar smokers will utilize two parts of the tasting abilities we posses; taste on the tongue, and smell (orthonasal olfaction). This is all well and good, but when combined with retrohaling, the flavor spectrum vastly increases and intensifies. You will then be using every part of the tasting senses available, just like one naturally would with food and drink.
By the way, one could argue mouth feel (texture) is another part of the cigar smoking taste makeup, much like it is with eating and drinking. I would agree, but it being a small part, I am not going to dive into that subject.
So in a nutshell, many sensations arise from tobacco that cannot be perceived by taste buds alone, for example, fruitiness, cedar, spiciness, etc. Therefore, if you want to experience the widest range of flavors and nuances, you will need to channel some of the smoke through the olfactory receptors at the back of the nose.
So how do you "retrohale"?
I hope I can explain this easy enough, it really isn't difficult, and probably a no-brainer to some, I would advise to relax and not overthink it.
You will draw smoke into your mouth per usual, then channel the exhale through your nose by closing your mouth, you might have to force it a bit at the beginning, before it becomes muscle memory. I find it helps to expel a portion, say 50%, of the smoke out of your mouth first, before you close it, then in almost one motion close your mouth and channel the smoke through the back of your nose and out through the nostrils.
You will notice it takes a very slight upper throat/nose clearing action, try an outward grumble sound like you are angry, and you will get it.
This all may seem somewhat forced and potentially goofy looking, but it is simply a procedure to recognize what exact mechanics make it work, it will quickly become natural appearing, and habitual.
You will then be looking like a cool, smoke-breathing dragon.
Keep in mind, some cigars will have a smoother retro-hale than others. When trying to retro a full draw, one stick might be so spicy it tickles the nose harshly, then another cigar might be velvety smooth. If need be, just tone down the amount passing through your nasal passages. To get the full spectrum of flavors, it is only necessary to pass a tiny amount of smoke around the olfactory sensors located in the back of the nose.
You don't need to retrohale to enjoy a cigar, but without it you are missing out on a much higher level of satisfaction. It's also unnecessary to retro on every puff, nor do you need to have visible smoke gushing out of your nostrils. Try it, you will be amazed at the wide range of flavor nuances and aromas a premium cigar can truly provide.
