The taste of Spanish Cedar

MP5

Joined Jan 2004
130 Posts | 0+
Indiana
I found out why tobacco beetles hate Spanish Cedar, it tastes terrible!!
I’m relatively handy when it comes to woodworking, so I thought I would make my own humidor.
When I got the wood, I took it out of the package and looked it over to see what I would need to do to get it to the right thickness for the lining. After handling it for several minutes, measuring and thinking, I started to get a very bitter taste on my lips, I thought I just got something off of the packing. I tried to wipe of my lips but I could not get rid of the taste. Then, I remembered that bugs do not like the taste of Spanish Cedar. I went in side and tried to wash my face, but the taste did not come off. After about fifteen minutes of washing and wiping the taste finally left.
Then me, not being too smart, went to the shop without a dust mask, did some initial cutting on a small piece, guess what happened. :?
It made me wonder if the taste of the wood would get on the cigars, but I guess since I have never had a cigar taste that bad, it must not.
I will remember my shop teacher’s advice the next time I handle it. Always wear a dust mask.

MP5
 
That's funny - guess that'll go in the Lessons Learned column.

Be sure to post a few pics of the humidor when you're done!
 
MP5 said:
It made me wonder if the taste of the wood would get on the cigars, but I guess since I have never had a cigar taste that bad, it must not.

I've done a little bit of work with Spanish Cedar and am very aware of the taste your mentioning M. Very bitter and becomes almost nauseating over time. I've never come across any suggestion of that flavor in my cigars but am aware of the spanish cedar aroma from time to time in cigars. Seeing as how smell is a large factor determining taste, I find it odd that the taste of Spanish Cedar and the aroma are so far different.
 
kinda like vanilla extract. smells great but tastes very bad.
 
Ran out of the scotch Higgs?? LOL We all know it contains alcohol, but it gets expensive to get a buzz on vanilla extract......
 
Interesting!

I have described cigars as have a cedar taste - ?

I know people the blow smoke out of their nose can describe the flavors of cigars with greater detail.
I am thinking that there is a flavor to the smell of cedar &
when I taste cedar in a cigar - am I describing the smell/flavor
& not what Cedar tastes like?

(Also wondering if after fresh cutting the cedar if the smell gets stronger &
if so I'd think letting the box air out before putting cigars in it.

I'm just thinking out loud :idea:
 
Its most likely been kiln dried CC. I can't see airing it out doing much if anything. I do a fair amount of woodworking myself and have learned to always wears a facemask and eye protection. Recently I've started sandblasting and had to get a full face shield, and now I wear a full face shield and mask whenever I cut wood too. I'm not too good on keeping my ears protected though.

I have never cut spanish cedar but have experienced that taste. Out of curiousity I licked a coffin box once and its just as you guys describe. Very bitter tasting with a strong bite to it.
 
It was sold as kiln dried, and it feels and appears to be, I do not have a moisture tester.
I never thought of letting it air out before using the box. I think that is a good idea.
 
Interesting...one of my favorite cigars is the AF chateau fuente and it comes wrapped in cedar. I think the cedar aroma adds to the enjoyment of the cigar. Whether it imparts any taste to the cigar I don't know, but I sure do like em.