COLIN’S BLOG: ACROSS THE COUNTER

A Strong Cigar

What is meant by “a strong cigar”?

Let’s get the terminology sorted:

In a cigar, the word “strong” usually applies to the experience of a high nicotine content.

The leaf at the top of the cigar plant is named “Ligero”. It gets the most sun and has the most nicotine.

So the blender can adjust the strength of a cigar by varying the amount of “Ligero” in the blend.

If the nicotine content of the cigar is too high for you, you may feel light-headed, dizzy, nauseous. 

This can be very personal – what is strong for you may not be so for your friend.

You can also be affected by whether you have eaten, what you have eaten.

“Body” – A “full-bodied” cigar refers to the amount of flavour, combined with the volume of smoke the cigar produces. A large volume of smoke will cover the whole tasting area of the mouth and increase the amount of flavour experienced when smoking that cigar.

Leaves from cigar plants grown in different soils and different areas can have quite different flavours – think wines.  For example, more iron in the soil can result in a cigar with a strong aroma, soil high in calcium may contribute to a sweeter taste.

In general, the darker the leaf, the more intense the flavour. These leaves have usually been left on the plant longer, so they are more mature.

However a dark cigar isn’t necessarily strong tasting. The filler tobacco may be lighter.

And vice versa.

The experience a cigar gives you is a contribution of both.

I understand that Cuban cigars keep flavour and strength in proportion, so it is possible to talk of a strong Cuban cigar meaning it has plenty of flavour and a proportionate amount of nicotine. Similarly with a mild or light Cuban cigar.

With New World cigars you may find a dark wrapper leaf enclosing a light filler (in flavour/body and nicotine content). Or a light wrapper around a strong filler.

In practice: Perceptions of a cigar being “too strong”.

Before or after a meal (and the nature of a meal): In a series of blind tastings with which we were involved, it was found that when cigars were smoked before snacks or a meal, the lighter Dominican cigars rated more marks than the traditionally strong Cuban cigars! That gave us something to think about.

When the cigars were smoked after food, the ratings turned around.

At one of our regular functions the pre-dinner premium Dominican cigar was “surprisingly good”, but the same brand and blend offered after dinner was “disappointing”.

Another factor which influences your impression of a cigar being strong is the cigar being too large.

Colin was fond of saying:

“The cigar may not be too strong, maybe it is just too long and you are finished before the cigar is.”

On the other hand, a “Montecristo A” was perfect for us when watching an entire rugby match, and we each enjoyed a Punch Churchill over almost the whole evening at a Big Smoke in New York.

Or too large for the time available to smoke it.

You may well try to smoke it too fast with the result that it burns too hot, the flavour is ruined, and so is your tongue. I remember one such occasion when I experienced the dizziness normally associated with a strong cigar.

The Ringsize has an effect.

A thicker cigar will offer a more complex combination of leaves, and a larger volume of smoke giving a fuller taste. Too much may make it seem strong.

A thinner cigar might be more suitable – unless you smoke it too fast to get more smoke and flavour. Then it will burn hot and taste bitter – giving the impression of being strong. All you will taste is carbonised tobacco.

In practice:

From all of this you may realise that the perception of “Strength” is as much personal as factual.

Don’t depend solely on the manufacturer’s description, or the review from an impartial judge.

Try it for yourself.

Here is something to try – especially if you’re new to cigar smoking:

We’ve just put into stock two Montosa cigars hand rolled in the Dominican Republic.

Two very different cigars due to the blends carefully devised over several years. Different in strength and different in flavour and body.

Montosa Natural Robusto – a light and creamy smoke, perfect for morning or after a light meal. Excellent for new smokers.

Montosa Maduro Short Robusto – is a medium strength cigar with intense flavour, that can be enjoyed when time is short.

Full descriptions below.

Of course, we have a reasonable selection of Cuban cigars (whatever is available), and a good selection of New World cigars. All available singly.

Read reviews, then smoke them and see what suits you – as important, what doesn’t suit you.

If you’re a new smoker you might like to read more details on:

Flavour – How to experience the most flavour from your cigar. Can you really taste leather?

Lighting up – The start of your cigar smoking experience. Get it right first time.

Smoking – Hints and watchpoints to help make the most of your time with your cigar. Sit back and relax.

“Cigars – Smoking for pleasure” expands on this summary blog.

Read it when you are enjoying one of your cigars.

Talking of lighting up, see the recent additions to our cigar lighter range.

It includes two Xikar cigar lighters which are altitude tested to over 2000m, and have a lifetime guarantee.

Click on the  lighters and read the descriptions.

That made me think of a very useful offer:

Another thought – Cigar Aficionado Cigar Ratings for February 2025 recently released, includes 3 Cuban cigars currently available which may be worth a try:

Rating

92   Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto

91   Partagas Serie P2

And:

93   Vegueros Centrogorda (very mixed reviews)

Gillian Wesley                                                                                      

No.542. 25 March 2025

PS If you can’t visit a Wesley’s Bricks and Mortar, remember that if you’re not completely happy with your Internet choice, you can always return it for a full refund.

Note:

By law, no South African citizen, living in South Africa can buy a tobacco product via the internet or postal system.  In fact, you may not receive a tobacco product through the post.

In addition we may not receive payment through the internet for tobacco products.

We may only supply tobacco products within the trade – not to private individuals. The fine is substantial

Contact us for help in getting tobacco to your area. Visit The Library to read archived blogs from “Across the Counter”.