Cigar Rating Systems Explained: What the Numbers Actually Mean

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Walk into any cigar shop and you’ll see numbers everywhere — 92, 95, 96. They’re printed on shelf talkers, cited in reviews, used in advertisements. The 100-point cigar rating scale has become the primary shorthand for quality in the premium cigar market. Understanding how it works, who produces these scores, and how much weight to give them makes you a more informed buyer.

Where Cigar Ratings Come From

The dominant cigar rating publications are Cigar Aficionado, Cigar Snob, and Halfwheel. Cigar Aficionado — the magazine founded by Marvin Shanken in 1992 — is the most influential, and its annual Top 25 list has the most direct impact on cigar sales and pricing. A cigar appearing on that list typically sells out within days of publication regardless of price.

All major publications use blind tasting methodology — reviewers don’t know which cigar they’re smoking when they score it. This protects against bias toward prestigious brands and is the same approach used by serious wine critics. The band is removed, the cigar is assigned a code number, and the reviewer scores it without knowing the manufacturer, blend, or price.

How the 100-Point Scale Works

In practice the scale is compressed — almost all rated cigars fall between 85 and 100. Scores below 85 are rarely published because publications typically don’t review cigars they consider poor. The meaningful range is:

• 95–100: Classic/outstanding. Exceptional cigars that represent the best in the category. These are the ones that appear on Top 25 lists and generate immediate sellouts.
• 90–94: Superior. Well above average, worth seeking out. The majority of premium cigars worth buying fall here.
• 87–89: Very good. Solid cigars with minor flaws or limited complexity. Good value picks often land here.
• 85–86: Good. Acceptable quality but not particularly distinguished. Usually budget-friendly options.

Scoring criteria vary by publication but typically include flavor complexity, construction quality (draw, burn), finish (how long the flavor lingers after exhaling), and overall impression. Construction accounts for a significant portion of any score — a cigar with perfect flavor but a plugged draw will score notably lower than the same blend with impeccable construction.

How Useful Are Ratings for Buying?

Ratings are a useful starting point but a poor finishing point. A few honest limitations to keep in mind.

One reviewer, one cigar. Most ratings are based on a single tasting by a single reviewer. Cigar quality varies between sticks in the same box — a box sampled differently on a different day might score two or three points higher or lower. The score reflects that specific cigar on that specific day.

Strength bias. Full-bodied cigars have historically scored higher in major publications, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s when the “bigger is better” movement dominated the market. Mild and medium cigars are underrepresented at the top of rating lists relative to their quality and complexity.

Ratings don’t reflect your palate. A reviewer who prefers Nicaraguan pepper-forward profiles will score them higher than a smoker who prefers creamy Dominican blends. Pay attention to whether a reviewer’s stated preferences align with yours before weighting their scores heavily.

Where ratings are genuinely useful: Filtering an unfamiliar brand’s lineup (a 93 vs. an 88 from the same manufacturer is meaningful), identifying consistent performers across multiple reviewers, and discovering small-batch cigars that wouldn’t otherwise be on your radar. The Cigar Aficionado Top 25 in particular surfaces genuinely excellent cigars that deserve attention.

Building Your Own Rating System

The most useful rating system is the one you develop yourself. Keep a simple note for each cigar you smoke — the brand, blend, size, a word or two about the flavor, and a rough score on whatever scale feels natural to you. After 20–30 cigars, patterns emerge: you’ll notice which tobacco origins you gravitate toward, which price points deliver the most satisfaction, which brands consistently under or overdeliver relative to their scores.

This personal history is more valuable than any published rating because it’s calibrated to your palate, your tolerance for strength, and your flavor preferences. Professional ratings point you toward cigars worth trying. Your own notes tell you whether to buy a box.

For recommendations by strength and flavor profile, see our top mild, medium, and bold bodied cigar lists — all featuring cigars rated 90+ by major publications.

The Major Cigar Rating Publications Compared

Not all ratings carry equal weight. Understanding who’s doing the rating and how they do it helps you calibrate how much stock to put in any particular score.

Cigar Aficionado is the most widely cited. Their blind tastings use a panel of experienced reviewers, and scores above 90 carry real prestige in the industry. A 90+ rating from CA often drives meaningful sales increases for manufacturers. The limitation is that their reviews skew toward premium price points — budget cigars rarely appear.

Cigar Snob and Halfwheel both publish independent reviews with transparent methodology. Halfwheel in particular has built a reputation for consistency and editorial independence — they don’t accept advertising from manufacturers they review, which matters for credibility.

Retailer ratings — scores assigned by shops like Cigars International or Famous Smoke — are useful for comparing products within a retailer’s catalog but reflect buyer preference data rather than expert panel evaluation. They’re most useful when combined with a high review count.

Source	Method	Independence	Best For
Cigar Aficionado	Blind panel tasting	Moderate	Premium cigars, industry benchmarks
Halfwheel	Blind independent reviews	High — no ad revenue from reviewed brands	Consistent, credible scores across price points
Cigar Snob	Independent reviews	High	Wide range, accessible language
Retailer ratings (CI, Famous Smoke)	Buyer ratings	Varies	Best with high review counts; reflects market preference

How to Actually Use Ratings When Buying

The most practical approach is to use ratings as a filter, not a verdict. A 90+ score from a credible publication tells you the cigar is worth trying — it doesn’t tell you whether you’ll like it. Flavor preference is too personal for any rating system to fully predict.

Use ratings to narrow your search to quality cigars, then use strength and wrapper profile to pick the one most likely to match your palate. Our guides on mild bodied cigars, medium bodied cigars, and bold bodied cigars are organized by strength so you can cross-reference a high-rated cigar against the profile that fits you.

For more context on what makes a cigar score well, see our guides to cigar flavors, how to smoke a cigar, and best cigars for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 90-rated cigar mean?
In most cigar rating systems, 90 points indicates an outstanding cigar — one that excels in construction, draw, burn, and flavor complexity. Scores between 85–89 are considered very good, 80–84 are good, and anything below 80 is generally not recommended by that reviewer.

Are cigar ratings objective?
No rating system is fully objective — flavor perception is subjective and varies by reviewer. Blind tastings minimize bias but can’t eliminate it. The most useful ratings come from publications that use consistent methodology, multiple reviewers, and blind evaluation.

Should I only buy cigars rated 90+?
Not necessarily. Some of the best value cigars score in the 85–89 range — excellent quality at a lower price point. The 90+ threshold drives demand and often inflates prices. A well-reviewed 87-point cigar at $8 may outperform a 91-point cigar at $25 for your specific palate.

How do I develop my own rating system?
Start by evaluating four elements: construction (how even the burn and how smooth the draw), aroma, flavor complexity, and finish (how long and pleasant the aftertaste). Score each on a simple 1–5 scale. After 20–30 cigars, patterns emerge that tell you more about your preferences than any published rating system.

Ready to put your new knowledge to use? Browse highly rated cigars at Cigars International or Gotham Cigars.