Ok, still a noob here and the way my first bundle is going it shows . But I have a question. This one that has me baffled a little. When I visit my local shop, and see all the wounderful cigars the first thing that comes to mind is, how strong is that one, or that one, or those. Some have handy cards that give good information, while other I'm left to guess at. So, buy looking at a cigar, how can you tell if its mild, medium or full? That was a lot of nothing for such a short question....

Usually the darker the wrapper, the stronger the smoke. The opposite for the light wrappers. As for all the smokes that fall in between the really light and really dark wrappers, you have to get your info from someone who has had one. Hope this helps a little. But without finding info from someone who has had one, it is too hard to tell just by looking at it.

quote:

Originally posted by Adam G:
Usually the darker the wrapper, the stronger the smoke.

I haven't found this to be the case. I've smoked plenty of cigars with light wrappers that were strong, and vice versa. The wrapper is only one component of the cigar, and darker does not equate to stronger.

You could always ask for some help at the shop. i sure they will be willing to help you.

For some one that is new, and I mean like you have only tryed two or three cigars in your day.
This is not allways true but can help you a little. the darker the raper the stronger the cigar. know I like a wide veriaty of cigars. Mainly full flaverd cigars.could be becouse I allso enjoy a pipe. The LTS mixes a nice blend called Cape town Mist great flaver and smells like hot coco when it burns.
oh sorry back to the topic
Thats the info that was passed on to me when i started. and it's held true to the most part.
just expierament so what you like.
p.s. sorry about the spelling. Not very good at it.
But i hop this helps, all els fails ask Docbarry, TSF, scottological.and i bet i spelled his name wrong and hill give me some ribing about it I could name so many more.
Your best bet is read the cigar ratings feature. cigar streangths, and a good revue can be found right ther.

Experiment. At first pay most attention to the country of origin of the constituent elements of the cigar. Learn what tobaccos you like from what countries and look for them in a cigar. I personally prefer Nicaraguans or Hondurans, and a lot of other cigars if they have an Ecuadorian sungrown wrapper.

quote:

Usually the darker the wrapper, the stronger the smoke. The opposite for the light wrappers.

That's a very, very rough rule of thumb with so many exceptions that I do not think it's a rule anymore
Ron, I think there is no way you can tell it's mild or full by not only just looking at it, but also touching, sniffing, or trying to listen its sound The only way to actually know is to smoke it. Because what your B&M's owner thinks is mild may turn out more of a medium for you, and so on.

quote:

Originally posted by Adam G:
Usually the darker the wrapper, the stronger the smoke. .

False.
Looks can be decieving. Take the Coronado by La Flor Dominicana. Nice lite wrapper that looks like a mild smoke. Lite that bad boy up and you have full body and full flavor. It can knock your socks off if you don't have a good meal in you.
Learning is as simple as asking questions.
What type of filler does it have?
What type of wrapper does it have?
Tobacco from what country?
Learn these basic things and you will be able to tell what type of body the cigar will have.
In my opinion, but not always the case, is that Dominican tobacco with a Connecticut wrapper will be mild and smmoth.
Nicuraguan puro's and Honduran Puro's tend to be full bodied and full flavored.
Now a Dominican puro, Opus X, can knock you for a loop, especially my fav the xxx power ranger.
Questions, questions and more questions at your B&M will go along way.
I hope this helps some.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: littoines,

You should just has someone who works there. You really can't tell by wrappers of buy looking at a cigar at all. You could either look at the reviews here or ask someone at the shop.

If I recall correct, The JdN Antano isn't wrapped in a maduro wrapper, but that sucker is strong, too strong IMO. I think it overpowers flavor in the second half of the cigar.

I would ask the guy in the shop and let him know that you are new to cigars. If it's not busy, he'll take some time and go over them with you. The dark wrapper = strong smoke isn't always true, so I wouldn't go soley upon that. Also, if your cigar store has a lounge in it (if not, find a lounge near you), sit down and talk to the people that are there and get their thoughts.

A lot of people recommended that I keep a cigar journal of the cigars I smoke (save the band) so I can write down what I thought of each. I've only been smoking cigars on a consistant basis for 6 months now, but I still do that when I try a new cigar. It helps you figure out what you like and what you don't.

Thanks all for the help. Where I shop the guy has been helpful. I just fill silly sometimes asking the same qustion, but I guess thats how I will learn. Thanks again.