Palate shifts

[angelsword]

Tonight I find that my palate has quite a different outlook from its "normal". I seem to find many of my favored rums to have disagreeable bitter notes. Quite frankly I don't like anything! So I dopped back to a medium bodied beer (Shiner Dunkelweizen). Even that seems bitter to me.

[Matusalem]

This happens to the best of us now and again. Have some coffee... a pint of Haagan Dazs or a brick of chocolate. It's good to give yourself a (short) break from time to time anyway.

[Dood]

Obviously you've been working too hard! :)

[Edward Hamilton]

What we taste has a lot to do with what we've been eating, or not eating/drinking, time of day and what we've been doing. I've noticed that foods/drinks taste different before and after strenuous exercise. But I've yet to discover a very predictable indicator of what will trigger, for example, bitterness in my palate.

[Hank Koestner]

I have noticed in my personal experience that my palate changes when I am getting a cold. A few days before I actually have symptoms, there can be a change in how things taste. I am glad I don't get sick very often.

[angelsword]

I have noticed in my personal experience that my palate changes when I am getting a cold. A few days before I actually have symptoms, there can be a change in how things taste. I am glad I dont get sick very often.

I have been on the road for a few days and may have picked up a hint of a cold. But I also have been away from the tasting menu for the same amount of time. Lots of variables! I don't know what brought this on.

[saltgrassbear]

I've noticed the same thing. A rum that tastes good one day may not taste as appealing the next. It has to be the food. What do the blenders do to neutralize their palate when tasting their masterpieces. I'm sure there is someone out there with this answer.

SGB

[Matusalem]

Certainly not a qualified opinion, but I believe it has to do with all things leading up to the events. It could be a cold in the works, what one has eaten and the routine leading up to tasting (in comparison to other prior occasions).

What I think leads to bitter taking over is other parts of the palate being stressed or less receptive than the bitter receptor area.

[Edward Hamilton]

Part of a blender's job is knowing when their palate isn't normal and then adjusting accordingly. Some days you just can't make good determinations, especially when you have a cold since aroma plays an important role in tasting.

Large distillers generally have several trained personnel on the payroll to eliminate the chance of bottling something which doesn't meet the standards of the distillery.

[Rum Runner]

Even simple medications can skew taste. Especially the tastes on the tongue, Sweet, Sour, Bitter, Salty. Toothpaste and mouthwash can alter the PH inside the mouth for quite some time after use and skew perceptions also.