Abstract: To clarify the curing characteristics of tobacco varieties NC102 and NC297 in the Dali tobacco-growing region of Yunnan, and to optimize the curing process for specialty tobacco varieties, K326 was used as the control. Under dark box and curing trial conditions, differential analysis was conducted on the color values, yellowing and browning characteristics, SPAD values, chlorophyll degradation characteristics, water loss characteristics, PPO activity, and the appearance and sensory quality of the first-cured tobacco leaves for K326, NC102, and NC297. The results showed: Results indicate: ① In dark box tests, NC102 and NC297 required 60 and 72 hours respectively for complete yellowing of mid-leaf sections, and 120 and 96 hours respectively for 30% browning, demonstrating moderate curing tolerance for both; ② Compared to K326 and NC102, NC297 exhibited lower SPAD values and color values (a^*, L^*, b^*, C), resulting in poorer post-curing leaf color; ③ In dark box tests, K326 exhibited the best coordination between leaf yellowing and moisture loss, followed by NC102, while NC297 showed the poorest coordination; ④ The moisture loss equilibrium of mid-leaf sections for K326, NC102, and NC297 was 1.00, 0.92, and 0.73, respectively, indicating poorer curing adaptability for NC102 and NC297 mid-leaf sections; ⑤ In curing trials, the chlorophyll degradation rates of NC102 and NC297 mid-leaf sections were 1.30%/h and 1.30%/h, respectively, with degradation amounts of 93.54% and 93.62%, indicating favorable chlorophyll degradation characteristics; ⑥ After curing for 24–96 hours, the PPO activity of the middle leaves of NC102 and NC297 remained below 0.3 U, indicating good curing tolerance. However, compared to K326, their PPO activity was 10.38% and 10.77% higher, respectively; ⑦ The composite scores for appearance and sensory quality of midsection leaves from NC102 and NC297 were significantly lower than those of K326, with NC102 outperforming NC297. NC102 midsection leaves exhibited moderate roastability and roasting tolerance, while NC297 midsection leaves showed poor roastability and roasting tolerance. Corresponding process optimization measures can provide reference for varietal adaptation and quality enhancement in the Dali tobacco-growing region of Yunnan.