With respect, I am not sure your example is necessarily the best one. Under the conditions you describe - where you pointed out the flaw was there and the exact identity of the flaw - you introduced a massive bias. Of course your friend would find it. I have a terrible palate and I probably would have found it, even if it was entirely in my head
The intention of your point is well taken though, and I find that you are actually supporting the points made regarding the panel tasting. The distinction is where the intended threshold of detection by the panel lies. There is no question that training/priming evaluators would increase sensitivity, but the point is that the Brulosophy panel method is not aimed at detecting minor or subtle, it seems designed by purpose to detect the obvious (as for the why, see post #228 by @Qhrumphf - summed up well there). When you think about it, if detecting the obvious is the goal, then a panel of unqualified "Joe-six-pack " drinkers is exactly what you'd need.
I felt same way reading martin’s anecdote. A suggestion of a flavor coming from someone with his level of credibility is going to create that flavor in my mind whether it’s really there or not.