Is your cigar fit to the finish? And what does finish mean anyways? When cigar experts talk about a cigar's finish they are referring to the taste that stays on your palate after the smoke leaves your mouth. The term is borrowed from the world of wine tasting. So how do you determine your cigar's finish? Take a puff, twirl the smoke in your mouth for a few seconds before exhaling. Once the smoke dissipates, think about the taste it leaves in your mouth. If you are smoking a strong, full-bodied cigar, the flavor will stay with you long after the smoke is gone. Whereas, the flavor of milder bodied cigars won't stick around.