【Taste】 ,  【flavor】 ,  【savor】 ,  【tang】 ,  【relish】 ,  【smack】  can all mean the property of a substance which makes it perceptible to the gustatory sense.

【Taste】 not only is the most inclusive of these terms but it gives no suggestion of a specific character or quality.

【Flavor】 applies to the property of a thing which is recognized by the cooperation of the olfactory and gustatory and to some extent tactile senses. The term therefore usually denotes the combination of tastes and smells perceived when eating or drinking a thing. Usually, also, it suggests the blend of tastes and odors and textures that give a substance a distinctive or peculiar character.

【Savor】 stresses sensitiveness of palate or of nose and may refer to the odor of something cooking as well as to the 【flavor】 of something eaten.

【Tang】 applies chiefly to a sharp penetrating 【savor】 , 【flavor】 , or odor; it usually implies a live, pungent quality.

【Relish】  and  【smack】  are comparatively rare in this sense;  【relish】  (see also  【TASTE】 2 ) comes close to  【savor】 and usually suggests enjoyment of the 【taste】 .

【Smack】  comes close to  【flavor】 but applies usually to one that is added to or is different from the typical 【flavor】 of a substance. In extended use these words usually call up one or more suggestions from their basic senses.

【Taste】 usually denotes a strong impression or a heightened sense of the quality of something.

【Flavor】 implies a predominant or distinctive and pervasive quality.

【Savor】  differs from  【flavor】 largely in suggesting a stimulating or enlivening character or quality that, like salt, spice, or other seasoning, gives life or pungency to a thing.

【Tang】  ,  【relish】  , and  【smack】 come still closer to their basic senses.