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 THE INTRICATE GUIDE TO CIGARS

 

1. UNDERSTANDING CIGAR STRENGTH LEVELS

Cigar strength refers to nicotine impact and body, not just flavor. It is usually classified into three main categories:

1.1 Mild

• Nicotine Impact: Low

• Body: Light

• Typical Profile: Creamy, smooth, often nutty or grassy

• Best For: Beginners or early-day smokes

• Examples:

  • Macanudo Café

  • Espinosa Crema

  • Davidoff Signature Series

  • Oliva Connecticut Reserve

  • Oz. Family Cigars Firsat by Crowned Heads

1.2 Medium

• Nicotine Impact: Moderate

• Body: Balanced, richer but not overwhelming

• Typical Profile: Earth, cedar, coffee, subtle spice

• Best For: Intermediate smokers, versatile timing

• Examples:

  • Montecristo Espada

  • Crowned Heads Mil Dias

  • Espinosa Habano

  • Oliva Serie V Melanio

  • Micallef Red, Blue, Green and Purple

1.3 Full

• Nicotine Impact: High

• Body: Heavy and robust

• Typical Profile: Pepper, leather, espresso, cocoa, bold spice

• Best For: Experienced smokers, post-meal smoking

• Examples:

  • Crowned Heads Broadway

  • Liga Privada No.9 by Drew Estate

  • Murcielago by Espinosa

  • La Imperiosa by Crowned Heads

  • Micallef Black

 *Pro Tip: Full-bodied does not always mean full-strength (nicotine). A cigar can have complex flavors without being strong in nicotine.

 

 2. FLAVOR NOTES BY TOBACCO REGION

Cigar flavor is influenced by terroir, much like wine. Here's a breakdown of how tobacco from different regions tastes:

2.1 Dominican Republic

• Profile: Smooth, creamy, aromatic, with light spice

• Common Notes: Cedar, nuts, toast, light pepper

• Famous Brands: Arturo Fuente, La Flor Dominicana, Davidoff

2.2 Nicaragua

• Profile: Bold, spicy, complex, full-bodied

• Common Notes: Earth, espresso, dark chocolate, black pepper

• Regions Within Nicaragua:

  • Estelí: Strong, peppery

  • Jalapa: Sweet, aromatic

  • Condega: Earthy, nutty

• Famous Brands: Padron, My Father, Drew Estate

2.3 Honduras

• Profile: Earthy and rugged, often medium to full-bodied

• Common Notes: Leather, oak, minerals, spice

• Famous Brands: Camacho, Alec Bradley, Rocky Patel

2.4 Cuba

• Profile: Sophisticated, nuanced, creamy yet spicy

• Common Notes: Honey, hay, leather, floral, almond

• Famous Brands: Cohiba, Partagás, Montecristo

• Note: Authentic Cuban cigars are often limited or illegal in certain countries.

2.5 Mexico

• Profile: Earthy, dark, sweet-spicy

• Common Notes: Cocoa, black pepper, roasted coffee

• Famous for: San Andrés Maduro wrapper – rich and oily

2.6 Ecuador

• Profile: Neutral, silky; great for wrappers

• Used For: Wrapper leaf due to cloud-covered sunlight

• Common Notes: Light floral, herbal, clean finish

*Many cigars are blends using tobacco from multiple countries – e.g., a Nicaraguan filler with an Ecuadorian wrapper and Dominican binder.

 

 3. CIGAR SIZE & SHAPE GUIDE

Cigar sizes are measured by:

• Length (in inches)

• Ring Gauge (diameter in 64ths of an inch)

3.1 Common Shapes (Vitolas)

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Petit Corona 4.5"40–42Quick smoke, elegant

Corona 5.25"42 Classic size, balanced

Robusto 5"50Popular, full flavor

Toro 6"50–52Slightly longer smoke

Churchill 7"47Long and slow burn

Lancero 7.5"38–40Thin, flavor-concentrated

Belicoso 5.5"50 Tapered head, elegant draw

Torpedo 6.5"52–54Sharp taper, controlled burn

Gordo 6"60+Thick, long burn

 

 Fun Fact: Larger ring gauges generally burn cooler and slower, allowing for a longer smoking time and fuller development of flavors. Smaller ring gauges can also burn for a longer period of time, but offers a different smoking experience. They can burn hotter if smoked at a faster pace, but if smoked correctly, offer the most amount of flavor. This is because the majority of the flavor comes from the wrapper leaf, and with a smaller ring gauge, the wrapper-to-filler leaf ratio changes in favor to allow more of the wrapper leaf flavors to be more pronounced. Often times when cigar blenders are making new cigars, they are blending for smaller ring gauges (robustos, toros, coronas, etc.)

 

 4. PAIRING FLAVORS & STRENGTH

Mild ~ Light coffee, white wine, almonds, low proof whiskey

Medium ~ Rum, porter beer, aged cheese, sweet drinks

Full ~ Espresso, bourbon, dark chocolate, Full bodied wine or beer, high proof whiskey

 

5. CIGAR ANATOMY ​

1. Wrapper: The outermost leaf, contributes up to 60% of flavor. The wrapper leaf on a cigar is often the best quality leaf to the blend. 

2. Binder: Holds the filler together, burns evenly.

3. Filler: The heart of the cigar. Often a blend of different tobaccos for complexity.

 

6. BUYING & STORING TIPS

• Buy from reputable tobacconists to avoid fakes.

• Storage: Ideal RH = 65–70%, Temp = 65–70°F

• Use a humidor with a hygrometer.

• Let cigars rest for 2–3 weeks after shipping before smoking for optimal flavor.7. RECOMMENDED STARTER CIGARS

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 Final Words

Cigar smoking is both ritual and indulgence — a culture steeped in craftsmanship, patience, and taste. As your palate develops, explore bolder blends, complex vitolas, and rare limited editions. Always smoke slowly, appreciate the evolution of flavor with each third of the cigar, and enjoy the experience fully.