How important is aroma to your overall cigar experience? Which cigars (Cuban or non-Cuban) have the most distinctive aroma for you?

[Islandboy]

Aroma is the only reason I subject my mouth to keeping a cigar burning.

[Ford2112]

Retohaling is essential in my opinion.

[StoagieSnape]

I have always enjoyed the distant smell and waft of a cigar. That aroma excites my brain whenever I unknowingly meander into someone's secondhand plume. When enjoying a cigar, I always "cold" (?)  smell down the length and then the foot. It's an essential step in the pre-light ritual. After lighting the cigar, it's all palate pleasure from there. For me, the aroma might be too close to perceive, as all the different aromatic notes start to blend together. 

[ElLoboLoco]

Nothing beats taste for me, that’s why we smoke. Draw is second, needs to be a pleasant experience. Aroma and burn means little unless it influences flavor (or draw) on the palate and/or retro. 

[habanohal]

I was given a few green label macanudo. Taste very good, just off putting because the smoke smelled like oil and gas.

[JPark3]

On 2/14/2026 at 7:20 AM, Ford2112 said:

Retohaling is essential in my opinion.

Truer words have never been spoken.

[Fugu]

Aroma is everything to me. Up to this day I really thought that’s universal. Interesting to hear that for many it’s just a bonus. Learn something new everyday on this forum. Thanks for the question!

[Boxer31]

If the aroma is off putting I will stop smoking the cigar regardless of the taste. I really need both to be in sync. Sometimes in the cigar bar, someone lights up one that just overpowers all the cigars around. 

[westg]

On 2/13/2026 at 1:44 PM, Ford2112 said:

Pre draw I always smell the cigar. You should always smell things before they go in your mouth. 😏

When a Cuban cigar smells like cow manure and prunes I get excited! 

Me too and Stinky cheese. 

[WestCoastSmokin]

I love opening up those Cuban boxes that have been aging and getting delicious aromas from them! It’s definitely something that will get you in the mood to smoke, and will water the mouth!

Always a welcomed bonus when smoking and the cloud of smoke smells like sweet chocolate, leather or Cuban twang. 

[Malt]

On 2/13/2026 at 4:44 PM, Ford2112 said:

Pre draw I always smell the cigar. You should always smell things before they go in your mouth. 😏

When a Cuban cigar smells like cow manure and prunes I get excited! 

Is the Cuban cigar smell unique to Cuba? After I read this is I went and sniffed all mine even the non real ones labelled Cohiba and they all smell like manure and prunes! Having said that, the only ones I have (real ones) are all from Cuba. The non real ones labelled Cohiba smell the same.