15 Fantastic Cigars For The Full-Bodied Smoker
Thirty years ago, milder cigars with light Connecticut-shade wrappers reigned supreme, but the market has changed and many of today’s smokers simply crave more oomph in their blends. Raw power alone, however, isn't enough. Strength should serve as a vehicle for richer, more intense flavors and we believe that the ideal full-bodied cigar has both power and finesse. So, we combed through a year’s worth of ratings to bring you a list of 15 high-scoring cigars that are not only strong, but complex as well.
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Enchantment (94 points, $14.75)
The Ashton Virgin Sun Grown line (popularly known as See full tasting note.
Blackened Cigars “M81” by Drew Estate Robusto (94 points, $9.45)
This cigar is maduro to the bone. A three-way collaboration between Metallica’s See full tasting note.
Bolivar Royal Corona (Tubo) (94 points, £30.30)
While certainly not as large as other Cuban brands such as Montecristo or Cohiba, Bolivar, like its historical namesake, has its devotees. In 2006, the Bolivar Royal Corona was named by Cigar Aficionado as See full tasting note.
Cohiba Maduro 5 Mágicos (94 points, £69.40)
Maduro is not a word typically associated with Cuban cigars. When Cohiba Maduro 5 debuted in 2007, it was the first regular-production brand with a maduro wrapper release by Habanos S.A. The wrapper is a shade-grown leaf picked from a high position on the tobacco plant and then purportedly aged five years (hence the 5 in the name). It’s a spicy, earthy smoke with baking spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon that gain intensity without losing balance. See full tasting note.
Partagás Serie D No. 4 (94 points, £28.30)
Part of the Partagás Alphabet Series, the Serie D No. 4 is one of the most popular Cuban cigars on the market and long-favored by fans of stronger Cuban smokes. The band may be understated, but first puffs speak loudly, kicking off with a bracing burst of horseradish. The spice warms up for a nuttiness that segues to leather, wood and a sweet, apple-pie finish. See full tasting note.
Ramon Allones Specially Selected (94 points, £24.60)
A smaller brand in the Habanos portfolio, the Cuban Ramon Allones has a reputation for being strong and earthy. Savory notes of rock salt, leather and coffee kick things off for this softly pressed robusto but a pecan sweetness comes in partway to usher in sweeter tones of cinnamon, nutmeg and gingerbread. See full tasting note.
2012 by Oscar Valladares Sumatra Short Robusto (93 points, $6.80)
In 2012, cigarmaker Oscar Valladares opened his factory in Honduras, and introduced his first blend: 2012 by Oscar Valladares (now called 2012 by Oscar Valladares Corojo). According to the Mayan calendar, the world was supposed to end that year. Thankfully, it didn’t and more blends were added. The most recent—Sumatra—debuted last year. It’s tangy and woody with a big note of cocoa powder. Retailing just under $7, this is the most affordable cigar on this list. See full tasting note.
Arturo Fuente Don Carlos Eye of the Bull (93 points, $12.80)
This stubby version of the Don Carlos blend was released as an exclusive to those who attended last year’s See full tasting note.
Casa Magna Colorado XV Anniversary 6 x 54 (93 points, $15)
Quesada Cigars celebrated 15 years of its See full tasting note.
E.P. Carrillo Pledge Sojourn (93 points, $13.25)
A slightly larger version of the See full tasting note.
La Flor Dominicana Andalusian Bull (93 points, $17.90)
This unusually shaped Salomon was created by brand owner See full tasting note.
Olmec Maduro Double Corona (93 points, $16)
See full tasting note.
Padrón Family Reserve No. 44 Maduro (93 points, $34.85)
Created in 2007 to celebrate the company’s 44th year in business, the Family Reserve No. 44 was once only available to those who attended cigar events where a member of the Padrón family was present. According to Padrón, the tobaccos inside have been aged a decade. The Family Reserve is one of Padrón’s most full-bodied blends, but the tapered head of this torpedo concentrates and magnifies the smoke for even deeper impressions of chocolate-covered espresso bean, oak and cedar. See full tasting note.
Plasencia Alma del Fuego Concepción (93 points, $17.62)
Translating to “soul of fire,” Alma del Fuego was made in tribute to the volcanic island of See full tasting note.
Southern Draw Jacob’s Ladder Brimstone Lonsdale (93 points, $10)
Topped with a stubby pigtail, this dark, squarely-pressed corona is made in Nicaragua by A.J. Fernandez for veteran-owned Southern Draw Cigars. While Connecticut broadleaf has long held sway in the cigar industry, the Keystone State also has a small but proud history growing tobacco as well. Dark Pennsylvania broadleaf tobacco makes up the wrapper and binder. The filler is Nicaraguan making for a smoke of spicy licorice, coffee, leather and dark chocolate notes for a bold, satisfying effect. See full tasting note.
