Once you have a tincture that’s achieved the smell or time needed do you skim off the liquid off the top or strain out the solids so you end up with a pure liquid form?

I normally do…

Do you pour it through cheese cloth or try to siphon it off the top?

All depends some tinctures have floaters and some don't. If it's settled out and the solids are stuck to the bottom good I pour it into another container very slowly and watch for the separation to get to the edge and then stop. I have a fine mesh strainer that I use at the same time also. Just used it yesterday on some orvis root tincture.
If it appears to hang in the solution I will pour it in a coffee filter and leave overnight.
And some tinctures like my beaver castor tincture. I add to my lure in suspension. Ill shake it vigorously and measure out a pour to add to my lure immediately before it settles.