Top Ten Cigar Tasting Notes Used In Cigar Reviews

Doing a cigar review is not easy.  You need to describe the full experience of the cigar from flavor notes, construction, and more.

Many of rely on these reviews when it comes to making a decision on whether or not we want to spend our hard earned money on a specific cigar.  While that's a great place to start, and most reviews encompass the full experience of a specific cigar,  the beauty of cigars is that they are so complex to the point where you may have a different experience than the reviewer.  

Today we'll look at tasting notes and give you a list of the top 10 notes you'll find across all reviews.  You can use these to give yourself a better understanding of what you're experiencing when smoking a cigar on your own without having previously read a review.

Before we go any further, if you want to read some great reviews that really grasp the essence of a cigar, and help you do the same, be sure to check out the cigar reviews from MMC's Official Cigar Reviewer, Luc Blanchard, on our Cigar Reviews page!

Now, on to the list of the top 10 tasting notes you'll find in cigar reviews!

1. Earthiness: A flavor often described as "damp earth," "dirt," or "soil" that can be present in cigars from certain regions or with certain tobaccos.  

2. Woody: This tasting note refers to the flavors of wood, such as cedar or oak, which are often present in cigars that have been aged in wooden boxes.

3. Spicy: A spicy note can come from a variety of sources, including the tobacco itself, the wrapper, or the aging process. It can be described as pepper, cinnamon, or nutmeg, among others.

4. Creamy: A creamy taste is often associated with the smoke's texture and mouthfeel, but it can also be a flavor note on its own, like whipped cream or milk.

5. Nutty: This tasting note can range from almond to hazelnut to peanut, and it is often present in cigars made from certain types of tobacco or with certain aging techniques.

6. Sweet: A sweetness note can be found in cigars that are made with certain types of tobacco, aged in specific ways, or have a particular wrapper. The sweetness can be described as honey, caramel, or vanilla.

7. Floral: A floral note can be found in some cigars, which is often attributed to the wrapper or the specific tobacco used in the blend. It can be described as rose, lavender, or jasmine.

8. Leather: This flavor note is often described as a combination of earthy and woody tastes with a hint of sweetness. It can be present in cigars with aged tobacco, particularly in the wrapper.

9. Coffee: A coffee note is often present in cigars, particularly those with a darker wrapper. It can be described as espresso, mocha, or a general coffee flavor.

10. Fruity: A fruity note can be found in cigars with certain types of tobacco or in cigars that have been infused with flavors. The fruit flavors can range from citrus to berry to tropical fruit.