01 · Mild vs medium vs full at a glance
Mild vs medium vs full at a glance
Strength is the single most useful thing to understand before you buy. Pick wrong and a great cigar can leave you green. Here is the spectrum, with a cigar to try at each level.
Cigar strength, level by level
| Level | Feels like | Tastes like | Try this | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | Smooth, gentle | Cream, cedar, almond | Macanudo Cafe (around $8) | First cigars, mornings |
| Medium | Balanced, flavorful | Wood, coffee, light spice | Oliva Serie V (around $13) | Most regulars, all day |
| Full | Rich, intense, a kick | Pepper, cocoa, espresso | My Father Le Bijou (around $13) | After meals, experienced smokers |
02 · Strength is not the same as body
Strength is not the same as body
This is the thing most charts get wrong. Body is how much flavor fills your mouth, light to heavy. Strength is the nicotine, how much of a buzz you feel. A cigar can be full of flavor but easy on the nicotine, or light in flavor but surprisingly strong.
And remember the wrapper myth: a dark Maduro is not automatically strong. Color tells you about flavor and sweetness, not the kick. When in doubt, ask at the counter and we will tell you both numbers, body and strength.
03 · Where to start and how to climb
Where to start and how to climb
Start mild. A Macanudo Cafe, an Ashton Classic, or an Oliva Connecticut Reserve will be smooth and forgiving while you learn to draw and pace yourself. Once those feel easy, move to medium, which is where most regulars settle: an Oliva Serie V, a Perdomo, or a Rocky Patel Decade.
Save full bodied cigars like the My Father Le Bijou 1922, the Padron 1926, or a Liga-style powerhouse for when you have a few under your belt, and always smoke them on a full stomach with water nearby. There is no prize for jumping straight to the strongest cigar on the wall.
04 · How to not get knocked out
How to not get knocked out
Most bad first experiences are not about a bad cigar, they are about too much strength too fast on an empty stomach. Eat first. Drink water. Puff slowly, about once a minute, and do not inhale. If you feel lightheaded, that is the nicotine, so set it down and have something sweet to drink.
Match the cigar to the moment too. A full bodied cigar in the morning on coffee alone is a rough start. The same cigar after dinner with a bourbon is perfect. We are happy to steer you to the right strength for the occasion.