Making your own cigar journal pages with templates and ideas
A cigar journal turns a casual smoke into a record of flavour, aroma, setting and memory. Instead of relying on a vague “pretty good” rating, you can note how a cigar changed from the first draw to the final third and gradually learn which formats, wrappers and blends suit your palate.
The best journal is easy to use. A small notebook, loose-leaf binder or phone template can work equally well, provided each page captures the details that matter to you. For Australian smokers, it is also useful to record weather, storage conditions and whether the cigar was enjoyed indoors or outdoors, as heat and humidity can noticeably affect the experience.
| Journal area | Useful fields | Quick prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Cigar details | Brand, name, size, vitola, origin | What exactly am I smoking? |
| Condition | Date, storage, wrapper appearance | Was it well kept and evenly packed? |
| Performance | Draw, burn, ash, smoke volume | Did it behave consistently? |
| Tasting notes | Aroma, flavour, strength, finish | What changed across each third? |
| Setting | Place, drink, company, weather | What influenced the experience? |
| Verdict | Rating, pairing, buy again | Would I choose it next time? |
Start with a simple page layout
Divide a page into four blocks: cigar details, pre-light observations, smoking notes and final thoughts. Leave enough blank space for handwriting rather than filling every centimetre with boxes. A flexible layout encourages useful comments such as “cedar and toasted almond” instead of forcing you to choose from a fixed list.
At the top, record the date, cigar size, country of origin and where it came from. You might also include the price in Australian dollars, particularly as imported cigars can vary considerably between retailers and may be affected by local duties and availability.
Record the cigar before lighting
The wrapper deserves its own short assessment. Note its colour, texture, sheen, veins and firmness, then describe the unlit aroma. Common observations include hay, cocoa, leather, barnyard, cedar, dried fruit or black pepper. These do not need to sound technical; “a bit earthy” is still a useful note if it means something to you.
Add the storage conditions when relevant. A cigar kept in a desktop humidor may behave differently from one carried to a barbecue in a hot ute. If you are comparing products from a specialist shop, browsing pipes and tobacco can also prompt ideas for recording pipe tobacco, accessories and related purchases in the same notebook.
Divide tasting notes into thirds
A three-stage format keeps the writing manageable. Label sections first third, middle third and final third, then jot down changes in flavour, strength, smoke texture and burn. Short phrases are ideal: “sweet cedar, light pepper,” “creamier after relight,” or “dark chocolate finish.”
Add a small scale for strength and body, perhaps from one to five. Strength describes nicotine impact, while body refers to the weight and richness of the smoke. Keeping those terms separate helps you identify patterns, especially when a cigar tastes full-bodied without feeling particularly strong.
Include the setting and pairing
A cigar’s surroundings can shape your judgement, so record the time, location, temperature and company. An evening on a Melbourne balcony, a winter afternoon in Hobart or a dry Queensland night may produce very different impressions. If local smoke-free rules or apartment restrictions affect where you can sit, that context belongs in the journal too.
Write down drinks and food alongside the cigar. Coffee, sparkling water, stout, whisky or a cold lager can highlight different flavours. A relaxed arvo in the lounge, patio or backyard might deserve a separate “occasion” score, while a rushed smoke before work should not be judged by exactly the same standard.
Make the page visually useful
Use symbols to speed up repeat entries: a flame for burn, a cloud for smoke volume and a glass for pairing. Colour coding can help too, with one shade for flavour, another for performance and another for personal enjoyment. Avoid overcomplicating the system; if filling out the page feels like paperwork, you will stop using it.
A two-page spread can include a flavour wheel on the left and free-form notes on the right. You could also reserve a pocket for cigar bands, receipts or event cards. For a music-themed entry, add the album or playlist playing in the background and explore Chick Music for further listening inspiration.
Turn old entries into a buying guide
After ten or twenty entries, review your notes for repeated preferences. You may discover that you favour medium-strength cigars with creamy wrappers, smaller ring gauges for shorter sessions or blends with a pronounced cedar finish. Record dislikes as carefully as favourites, since “too peppery after the halfway point” is valuable buying information.
Finish every page with three lines: what worked, what did not and whether you would smoke it again. Give separate scores for flavour, construction and overall enjoyment rather than one inflated number. The practical takeaway is simple: use a repeatable page, write brief sensory notes during each third, and review the patterns before your next purchase.