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Lesson 8 of 8 · 3 min

Taste and take notes

Describe what you taste, so your next cigar is a better pick.

A cigar resting on a steel ashtray with a short, firm grey ash. — Rest it between puffs. Notice how the flavour shifts as it burns.Photo: silviu bocan · Unsplash licence · Resized.

The 30-second version

Describe flavours in plain words like wood, pepper, cream or coffee. Flavours often shift as you smoke.
Write down the exact name and size, plus whether you would buy it again.

What to notice

Flavour: Taste plus aroma. What does it remind you of? Not knowing is fine.
Body: How rich and full the smoke tastes: light, medium or full.
Draw and burn: Easy or tight to draw? Burning evenly?
Finish: The taste left after each puff. Short or lingering?

Your notes beat reviews

A review gives you words. It does not decide what you like. Three honest notes on three cigars will guide you better than any score.

In a lounge

Ask about house rules before you light. Use an ashtray and give people space. Smoke harms others, so follow local rules.

A partly smoked cigar resting in a white ashtray beside a cup. — An evening cigar from Anatolie's own collection.Anatolie's photo collection.

Sources: Tobacconist University: the tasting experience · National Cancer Institute: cigar smoking and cancer