How to Taste a Cigar

Understanding how to taste cigars is the gateway to a delicious smoking experience. From the moment you select your cigar to the final draw, every step influences the flavors, aromas and overall enjoyment. For a new cigar smoker, one of the most exciting aspects of the hobby is discovering the wide range of flavors cigars can offer. Every stogie's taste is shaped by several factors, including the type of tobacco used, how it is aged and fermented, and even where it is grown.

Insight into these elements will help you make more informed choices and appreciate the complexity behind each cigar. Whether you are new to cigars or refining your technique, understanding these variables will help you get the most out of every smoke.

Cigar Anatomy

Understanding the components of a cigar can make choosing and enjoying them much easier. For those new to cigars or looking to deepen their knowledge, breaking down the anatomy is the first step to tasting success. 

Filler

The filler is the core of the cigar and consists of dried, fermented tobacco leaves. These determine most of the cigar's flavor, strength and burn time. There are two types of filler:

• Long filler: Whole tobacco leaves run the entire length of the cigar. These are found in premium cigars and provide a smoother, more complex smoking experience.
• Short filler: Chopped or shredded tobacco is often used in machine-made cigars. These tend to burn faster and may have a less refined taste.

Binder

The binder is a thick, elastic tobacco leaf that holds the filler together. It is crucial for the cigar's structure and helps control how it burns. While the binder does not contribute as much to flavor as the filler or wrapper, it plays an essential role in a cigar's overall construction. A poorly made binder can cause an uneven burn or result in a cigar that falls apart.

The way the cigar is rolled affects how evenly it burns and how flavors develop. A tightly packed cigar may restrict airflow, muting flavors. A loosely packed cigar may burn too hot, leading to harshness. Hand-rolled cigars tend to have more complex flavor transitions than machine-made ones. For example, a well-constructed Oliva Serie V has a slow, even burn that allows its rich Nicaraguan spice to develop gradually.

Wrapper

The wrapper is the outermost leaf and affects visual appeal. It also significantly impacts what a cigar tastes like, as this is the part that directly touches your lips. Wrappers are often categorized as Natural or Maduro. Natural wrappers are lighter in color and generally have a milder flavor, while Maduro wrappers are darker with a richer flavor profile. 

Natural wrappers include: 

• Double Claro: This light green wrapper is one of the mildest options available. 
• Claro: This light brown wrapper delivers a mild, smooth and slightly sweet taste. Claro wrappers are often made from Connecticut Shade tobacco. 
• Colorado Claro: These wrappers are slightly darker and offer a more complex flavor profile. However, they're still on the lighter side. 
• Colorado Rosado: While once rare outside of Cuba, this reddish wrapper is gaining popularity in non-Cuban cigars. 

The following wrappers are considered Maduro wrappers: 

• Colorado Maduro: This medium-bodied wrapper is dark brown and aromatic. 
• Maduro: This dark brown wrapper has a rich, bold and sometimes slightly sweet taste. It is an excellent choice if you prefer a fuller-bodied smoke.
• Oscuro: This dark, almost black wrapper is often the strongest, with deep, earthy flavors.

Are you just starting out? Try a cigar with a Connecticut-seed Ecuadorian wrapper like the Montecristo White series, which offers a mild, creamy smoke. A Maduro-wrapped cigar like the Padron 1926 Serie Maduro provides a more intense, chocolatey flavor.

Tobacco Varieties

Much like wine grapes, tobacco leaves have unique flavor profiles depending on their variety and location. Cubanesque, or Habano tobacco, has an earthy, rich, spicy flavor profile. Dominican tobacco, especially from the Santiago and La Canela regions, has a creamy, mellow, slightly sweet flavor profile. The Arturo Fuente Hemingway series uses Dominican filler tobacco, which is known for its smooth, nutty character.

Nicaraguan tobacco is full-bodied and has a bold, peppery taste. From the regions of Esteli, Jalapa and Condega, cigars like the Padron 1964 Anniversary cigars showcase the deep spice and cocoa flavors typical of this tobacco. With a robust, earthy, woody flavor profile, Honduran tobacco cigars like Camacho often feature Honduran Corojo tobacco, adding a rich, peppery profile to the stogie. Finally, U.S. Connecticut Shade tobacco offers a creamy, mild and slightly nutty flavor.

Fermentation and Aging

Understanding cigar flavors also extends to the preparation process, which influences what cigars taste like. Once tobacco is harvested, it undergoes two key processes that significantly affect the cigar's final taste — fermentation and aging. These steps mellow harshness, enhance flavors and bring out complexity. 

Fermentation

Fermentation is a controlled process where freshly harvested tobacco leaves are stacked into large piles, allowing heat and moisture to break down ammonia and unwanted compounds. The process lasts weeks to months, depending on the tobacco variety. Mild tobaccos, like a Connecticut Shade, require lighter fermentation to preserve their delicate flavors. Full-bodied tobaccos, such as Nicaraguan Ligero, undergo longer fermentation to remove bitterness and enhance deep, spicy notes. A Maduro cigar gets its color and flavor from extended fermentation at higher temperatures. This process results in a smoother, chocolatey profile.

Aging

After fermentation, the tobacco is aged to allow flavors to mature further. This mellowing process can be carried out in bales, barrels or cedar-lined rooms. Short-term aging of one to two years ensures the tobacco maintains its brightness and fresh flavors. Long-term aging for over five years reduces harshness, enhances smoothness and develops deeper complexity. For example, Davidoff cigars are known for their extensively aged Dominican tobaccos, leading to refined, creamy flavors.

Some premium cigars even undergo post-rolling aging, meaning they rest in humidors for months or years before being sold. This process allows the different tobaccos in the cigar to marry and create a more balanced smoking experience.

Preparing for a Cigar Tasting

Before you light your cigar, there are a few steps to take. Selecting a cigar that aligns with your flavor preferences and smoking tolerance is crucial. Starting with something too strong may create an overwhelming experience if you are a beginner. On the other hand, a cigar that is too mild might not give you the full range of flavors cigars can offer. If you are unsure, start with a mild to medium-bodied cigar and gradually explore stronger options.

Grabbing the Essential Tasting Tools

A smooth smoking experience depends on having the right tools:

• Cigar cutter: A clean cut ensures a proper draw. Guillotine cutters, V-cutters and punch cutters each offer a different smoking experience.
• Lighter or matches: Butane torch lighters provide an even light, while cedar matches add a subtle aroma. However, avoid standard lighters or matches, as they can alter the cigar's taste.
• Ashtray: A proper ashtray helps you manage your cigar without making a mess.
• Beverage pairing: Water is the best option for a neutral palate, but coffee, whiskey or run can also complement certain flavors in a cigar.

Creating the Right Environment

An easily overlooked cigar-tasting tip is to be in an appropriate environment. Tasting a cigar is a relaxing, savoring experience, so set yourself up for an enjoyable time by choosing the right setting. Pick a relaxing space like a quiet lounge, patio or study that allows you to focus on flavors without distractions. Control the atmosphere by setting up somewhere where wind and extreme temperatures will not affect burn and taste. Finally, remember that cigars are meant to be enjoyed, so give yourself time for a proper, relaxed tasting.

Starting the Tasting Process

Before lighting, indulge in the prelight ritual. Inspect the cigar to appreciate the craftsmanship and anticipate the flavors you are about to experience. Start with a visual inspection where you look for a smooth, well-constructed wrapper. A slight oil sheen indicates well-aged tobacco. Gently roll the cigar between your fingers to feel the texture. It should be firm, with a slight give, but no hard or soft spots.

Smell the wrapper and foot, as the wrapper's aroma gives clues about the cigar's profile — you may notice hints of earth, cocoa or spice. After cutting the cigar, take a few slow puffs before lighting. This cold draw lets you taste some of the cigar's flavors, like dried fruit, cedar or pepper notes, before combustion.

Lighting the Right Way

Lighting a cigar is an art. A rushed or uneven light can affect the burn and alter the flavors, so follow these steps to light the right way:

• Toast the foot: Hold the flame just below the cigar's foot without touching it directly. Rotate the cigar to evenly warm the tobacco and preheat the oils, allowing for a smoother light.
• Light slowly: Bring the cigar to your lips and take slow puffs while rotating it above the flame. Avoid inhaling — instead, draw gently to pull the heat through.
• Check the burn: Examine the foot to ensure an even glow once lit. If necessary, touch up any unlit areas with your lighter.

Enjoying the Cigar

Now comes the most enjoyable part — tasting. Tasting a cigar is an art that requires patience, technique and attention to detail. The key is to take slow, steady puffs, allowing the smoke to coat your palate without inhaling. Cigar flavors evolve as you smoke, revealing different tasting notes. 

Look for the first third, the initial flavors that are often the most pronounced. They give a strong first impression — here, you might taste cedar, creaminess or spices. During the second third, the flavors deepen or transition. A mild cigar may develop honey and nutty notes, while a fuller-bodied one could reveal cocoa and espresso. When you reach the final third, the cigar reaches its richest, most concentrated flavors. Some develop a peppery finish, while others become sweeter.

Engage Your Senses

You can really pick up on different flavors by using one of the top cigar-tasting techniques — using all of your senses.

Notice how flavors interact, whether there is sweetness, spice, umami or bitterness. Exhaling some smoke through your nose to enhance flavor detection is called retrohaling. Pay attention to the texture and body of the cigar. Some cigars feel creamy, while others are dry and peppery. Take your time — puffing too fast can overheat the cigar, making flavors harsh.

A cigar does not have to be smoked down to the nub. Once it becomes too warm or bitter, it is time to let it rest. Simply place it in the ashtray and let it go out naturally. There is no need to stub it out like a cigarette. This will actually damage the tobacco leaves and change the cigar's flavor profile.

Find a Good Rhythm

One of the most common mistakes new cigar smokers make is puffing too quickly or too frequently. When you puff too fast, the cigar overheats and becomes bitter. When you puff too slowly or infrequently, the cigar can go out, making it frustrating to keep relighting. A good rule of thumb is to take a puff two or three times per minute, allowing the cigar to stay lit and develop its flavors without overheating. For example, if you puff too often on a Padron 1926, its rich cocoa and espresso notes may become acrid and burnt. Slow down for a smoother, creamier experience.

You know you are pacing correctly when:

• The cigar burns evenly without tunneling or canoeing.
• Each puff delivers distinct flavors rather than a hot, bitter taste.
• The cigar's temperature remains warm but not overly hot.

Get the Perfect Puff

The perfect puff is a slow, gentle pull of smoke into your mouth, savoring for a few seconds, paying attention to the weight and texture of the smoke, and then releasing it. If you are struggling to get smoke through the cigar, you can gently roll it between your fingers to loosen the filler slightly, use a drawing tool to open up airflow or check your cut. If it is too small, a second cut may improve the draw. 

Experience a Variety of Cigar Flavors With Corona Cigar Co.

Tasting a cigar is an experience that engages all your senses. By choosing the right cigar, preparing properly and enjoying each puff, you will unlock a world of complex flavors and aromas. Over time, you will develop your own preferences and refine your ability to detect subtle cigar-tasting notes.

Corona Cigar Co. is the biggest, most user-friendly virtual cigar store, offering the best hand-made cigars, cigar accessories and humidors at low prices. From Davidoff to Graycliff, Diamond Crown and many more, we stock cigars for every taste and experience level. Explore different cigars when you buy one of our cigar samplers, or sign up for cigars of the month and experience more variety. We also offer a money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with your cigars. 

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