Cigar Quality & Characteristics
What separates a good cigar from a great one? For discerning cigar enthusiasts, quality goes far beyond just brand recognition or country of origin. It’s defined by how a cigar is constructed, how it performs while smoking, and the sensory experience it delivers from start to finish. This section of our glossary breaks down the essential components that define cigar quality—from body and flavor complexity to burn consistency and aging potential.
Whether you're just starting your cigar journey or refining an already developed palate, understanding these key traits will help you make more informed choices—and appreciate the craftsmanship behind every puff.
What Defines a High-Quality Cigar?
Unlike mass-market tobacco products, premium cigars are handmade using carefully selected leaves, aged and blended to achieve a specific strength, flavor, and burn profile. Evaluating cigar quality is both an art and a science, involving everything from the feel in hand to the way ash holds and smoke evolves.
Here are the most important elements to look for—and understand.
Glossary Subtopics
Strength (Body)
Cigar strength refers to the nicotine content and physical intensity of the smoke. Often confused with flavor, strength is about how powerful a cigar feels—not how it tastes. Learn how to differentiate between mild, medium, and full-bodied cigars and how body influences your smoking experience.
Flavor Profile
From earthy and nutty to spicy and sweet, every cigar has a unique flavor fingerprint. Explore how different tobaccos, aging processes, and wrappers influence flavor complexity, transitions, and tasting notes.
Cigar Aging
Like fine wine, cigars can improve with age. But not all cigars are built to age. Discover what makes a cigar age-worthy, how aging affects flavor and strength, and the difference between pre-release aging and post-purchase aging in your humidor.
Cigar Rating
Cigar ratings are scored by publications and aficionados based on blind tastings. Learn what a 90+ rating really means, how reviews are conducted, and what to consider beyond the score when choosing your next stick.
Construction
A cigar’s construction influences everything from draw and combustion to flavor delivery. Understand what makes for a well-constructed cigar, including the importance of wrapper integrity, rolling technique, and filler density.
Burn Line
The burn line is the visible edge where the wrapper leaf is consumed by the flame. A straight, even burn is a sign of good construction and quality tobacco. We’ll cover what causes wavy, canoeing, or tunneling burns—and how to correct them.
Ash Retention
A long, firm ash is more than a photo op—it’s a signal of how well the filler tobaccos are packed. Find out how ash retention affects heat management and smoking temperature, and what it says about the cigar’s craftsmanship.
Aroma
Aroma plays a crucial role in flavor perception. Discover how the cold draw aroma, foot aroma, and ambient smoke contribute to the overall experience—and why some cigars smell better than they taste.
Plume vs Mold
One of the most misunderstood cigar topics. Plume (or bloom) is a harmless sign of aging, while mold is a sign of trouble. Learn how to tell the difference visually and how to respond appropriately to protect your humidor.
Why This Section Matters
For both novice and seasoned smokers, learning to identify cigar quality by sight, smell, and performance allows you to:
- Choose cigars that match your preferences
- Spot flaws before lighting up
- Understand what went wrong when a cigar underperforms
- Get the most value out of your smoking experience
- Appreciate the craft that goes into a premium cigar
Every cigar tells a story—from seed to smoke. This section helps you read it fluently.