Step 1: Pre-Light Assessment
Before you light the cigar, take time to examine it. Roll it gently between your fingers to check for consistency — there should be slight give but no hard spots or soft pockets. A well-constructed cigar feels uniformly firm along its entire length.
Bring the cigar to your nose and inhale deeply at the foot. Note the pre-light aroma, sometimes called the "cold draw." You may detect notes of barnyard, hay, cocoa, cedar, leather, or dried fruit. These aromas offer a preview of the flavour profile, though the smoking experience often reveals additional dimensions.
Step 2: The First Third
After properly lighting the cigar, the first third is your introduction to the blend. Take slow, deliberate puffs and let the smoke wash over your entire palate. Note the initial flavours — are they sweet, savoury, or peppery? Is the body light, medium, or full? How does the strength feel?
Pay attention to the smoke’s texture as well. Is it silky and smooth, or rough and grainy? Does it coat the palate or dissipate quickly? The first third establishes the baseline against which you will measure the cigar’s evolution and complexity.
Did you know? Keep a cigar journal. Recording the brand, vitola, date, pairings, and flavour notes for each cigar you smoke is the fastest way to develop your palate and identify your preferences.
Step 3: Retrohaling Technique
Retrohaling is the technique of exhaling cigar smoke through your nose, engaging the olfactory receptors and dramatically expanding the range of flavours you can detect. Your tongue perceives only five basic tastes, but your nose can distinguish thousands of aromas.
To retrohale, take a puff and hold a small amount of smoke in your mouth. Close your lips, then gently push the smoke up and out through your nasal passages using your diaphragm — as if exhaling through your nose. Start with a small amount of smoke until you are comfortable. Retrohaling will reveal spice, floral, mineral, and aromatic notes that you cannot detect through the mouth alone.
Step 4: Evaluating Through the Thirds
As you progress into the second third, note how the flavours evolve. Well-crafted cigars develop complexity here — new notes may emerge while initial flavours deepen or recede. The body often increases, and you may notice a shift in the dominant flavour family (for example, from cedar and cream to cocoa and leather).
The final third concentrates all the oils and sugars that have been drawn toward the head by the heat. Flavours often intensify and may become bolder, richer, or more peppery. A great cigar maintains balance and complexity to the very end, while a lesser cigar may turn harsh or bitter in the final third. Note where the cigar finishes — this tells you much about the quality of the blend.
Developing a Personal Scoring System
Many enthusiasts use a 100-point scoring system, evaluating appearance and construction (15 points), pre-light and cold draw (10 points), flavour and complexity (35 points), body and balance (20 points), and finish and overall impression (20 points). This breakdown helps you articulate why you enjoyed or disliked a cigar.
Ultimately, the best scoring system is one that works for you. Some smokers prefer a simple 5-star rating, while others write detailed tasting notes. The key is consistency — use the same criteria each time so you can compare cigars meaningfully and track your evolving preferences over months and years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is retrohaling and why should I try it?
Retrohaling is the technique of exhaling cigar smoke through your nose. It engages your olfactory receptors, which can distinguish thousands of aromas compared to your tongue’s five basic tastes. Retrohaling reveals spice, floral, mineral, and aromatic notes that you cannot detect through the mouth alone, dramatically enhancing your tasting experience.
How do you evaluate a cigar?
Evaluate a cigar in stages: first assess appearance, construction, and pre-light aroma. Then analyse the flavour, body, and strength as they evolve through three thirds. A good cigar maintains balance and develops complexity from start to finish. Many enthusiasts use a 100-point scoring system covering construction, flavour, balance, and overall impression.
What flavours should I look for in a cigar?
Common cigar flavours include cedar, leather, cocoa, coffee, pepper, cream, nuts, earth, dried fruit, honey, and floral notes. Start by identifying whether the dominant flavour family is sweet, savoury, spicy, or earthy, then try to pinpoint specific notes within that family. Flavour perception improves with practice and note-taking.