Cigar Rating Scale Explained: What the 100-Point Scores Mean

Walk into any serious cigar shop and you'll see numbers everywhere — on shelf tags, in display cases, printed on box-toppers. The cigar rating scale most publications use is a 100-point system, borrowed from the wine world, and once you understand what the bands mean, those numbers start telling a real story.

How the 100-point scale works

The 100-point scale is the industry standard across most major publications and retailers. It's not graded on a curve, and it's not linear — the action happens in the upper range. In practice, the useful scoring range runs from roughly 70 to 100, and cigars below 80 are rarely given significant coverage.

Here's how Cigar Aficionado — the most referenced scale in the business — breaks it down:

95–100: Classic

This is the pinnacle. A cigar in this band is extraordinary in every dimension: construction is flawless, draw is perfect, flavor is complex and evolving, and the overall experience is memorable. Very few cigars reach this range. If you see a 95+, take note — it represents the best of what the category can offer.

90–94: Outstanding

The 90–94 band is where most "must smoke" recommendations live. A cigar here fires on almost all cylinders. It may not be a perfect transcendent experience, but it's excellent — interesting, well-made, and worth going back to. A score of 90 is widely considered the industry threshold for "recommended without reservation."

80–89: Very Good to Good

This broad band covers a lot of territory. An 88 or 89 is a very good cigar with minor flaws — perhaps a slightly inconsistent burn, or flavors that are pleasant but don't develop much. An 80–84 is commercially solid: enjoyable, no major defects, but unremarkable. Many everyday cigars land comfortably in the mid-to-high 80s and represent solid value.

70–79: Average to Good Commercial Quality

Cigars in this range are smokeable but undistinguished. They may have draw issues, flat flavor profiles, or inconsistent construction. They're not recommended for those seeking an engaging experience.

Below 70: Not Recommended

Rarely published, but when they appear, these scores indicate significant problems — poor construction, harsh or unpleasant flavor, or draw issues that compromise the entire smoke.

Why the scale clusters in the 80s and 90s

You'll notice that most reviewed cigars seem to score between 84 and 96. That's not inflation — it's selection. Publications typically review cigars that have already passed an initial quality check. Truly poor cigars usually don't make it to a formal review, so the published range naturally skews upward.

This means a 3-point difference at the top (say, 90 vs. 93) represents a real and noticeable quality gap, whereas a 3-point gap lower in the range (say, 82 vs. 85) may reflect only minor differences.

Different publications, consistent logic

While the exact criteria vary, the logic is consistent across major cigar publications. Halfwheel uses a 100-point scale where 88 is their threshold for recommending a box purchase and 86 for recommending a few cigars to try. Cigar Coop also uses 100 points and explicitly states that a 90 represents a standard of excellence — a cigar must actively excel, not simply avoid being bad.

The bands differ slightly, but the underlying philosophy is the same: scores in the 90s mean something real.

How to use the scale when shopping

Think of the rating bands as filters rather than rankings. If you're looking for a reliable everyday cigar, the mid-to-high 80s is a great hunting ground — you'll find excellent value and consistent quality. If you're choosing a special-occasion cigar or a gift, the 90–94 band gives you a confident pick. Scores of 95 and above are worth seeking out when you want to experience the upper limits of the craft.

Browse our cigar library to see published ratings alongside tasting notes and strength profiles. And if you want to start building your own sense of the scale, the Casa DNC app lets you log your own scores alongside the critics'.

The scale is a guide. Once you understand what each band means, you'll be able to read a shelf tag and know almost instantly whether a cigar belongs in your rotation — or just on your wishlist.

For more on how to evaluate what you're tasting, see how to taste a cigar like a pro or the cigar strength guide to understand how body and strength factor into your enjoyment.