10 Best Medium Bodied Cigars
The Top Moderate-Strength Cigars You Should Be Smoking!
If there’s one thing that’s certain in the cigar industry, it’s that things are always changing.
If you could step into a time machine and go back 30 years, you might find the selection of a tobacco shop to be less diverse than you’re used to. That’s because back then, most of what was offered was wrapped in Connecticut Shade.
Brand loyalty was higher and therefore, there weren’t nearly as many new cigars coming to market as there are today. The demand just wasn’t there. Enthusiasts didn’t pace the length of the shelves as they often do; they knew what they wanted, came in, bought it, and left.
At the end of 1992, Cigar Aficionado had printed its first magazine, and while their celebrity cameos helped serve as the catalyst of the cigar boom, more important changes were just on the horizon. There were up-and-coming manufacturers like Perdomo, Oliva, and Rocky Patel, and by 1998, this new breed of cigarmakers had cut the use of Connecticut Shade for the U.S. market dramatically.
These new blenders on the block were pioneers working to forge their own legacy. As such, most of them crafted fuller-bodied blends that required bolder tobaccos. A fresh generation of smokers jumped headfirst into the cigar craze fell in love with these stronger, more flavorful recipes in the same way that each generation tends to latch on to changes in music, fashion, and almost everything else. The boom may have ended in the nineties, but the demand for more potent cigars surged on for the better part of two more decades.
Why are medium body cigars in demand now?
In recent years, a quieter renaissance has been unfolding. Cigar enthusiasts are suffering from burnout. Of their palates. And such is the nature of cyclical trends, the pendulum now swings back to milder cigars.
The trend is evident with almost everyone I talk to, from the guys here at CA, to customers in the retail store, and beyond. “I want a medium cigar with a lot of flavor,” is one of the most common statements I hear.
With that in mind, the following 10 selections fit the medium-bodied, full-flavored profile and they span national brands and boutiques alike. If you find yourself leaning on this newest front of cigar evolution, I’m certain that you’ll walk away finding a handful of sticks that satisfy your palate.
As always, share your thoughts on this article in the comments below!
Crowned Heads Mil Dias
It took the folks over at Crowned Heads 1000 days to produce this cigar. I think it’s safe to say it was more than worth the wait. A nearly 3-year journey that led to a premium crafted of hearty tobaccos, yet balanced in a way that keeps the profile accessible. While the flavor profile is poignant and complex, the strength never gets much further than a medium+. I found mouthwatering notes of spice, earth, citrus, and syrup that played together beautifully. A cigar that speaks for itself in more ways than one, I’m making a case to check out Mil Dias sometime soon.
Plasencia Cosecha 149
Plasencia Cosecha 149 represents the family’s 149th harvest in 2014. To this day, they’re still rolled exclusively with those tobaccos. So, if you’re picking up a few of these a year or two from now, those leaves will have had even more time to age and marry its flavors of wood, light spices, and natural sweetness. So, in a way, you’ll get to learn—firsthand—how the aging process changes and shifts the profile. However, don’t let the enticement of further aging stop you from picking a few up today…they’re already prime for smoking!
Sobremesa Brûlée Toro
While everyone else was busy turning Connecticut cigars into full-bodied pepper bombs, Steve Saka turned his clock back to the pre-boom era, when mild-mannered natural leaves reigned supreme. He called his throwback blend Sobremesa Brulee, a French cooking term meaning burned. Brûlée can also define a dish that’s been dusted with caramelized sugar—a notion that the cigar lives up to enormously. So much so that Saka was (mostly playfully) accused of artificially sweetening the blend. The truth came out and Saka was vindicated. And so was born one of the biggest cult cigars of the past decade. Expect a harmony of cedar, leather, nuts, and gentle spices along with a torrent of lip-smacking sweetness. One thing is certain: Sobremesa Brulee is easy to smoke…and hard to put down.
New World by AJ Fernandez Cameroon Selection by AJ Fernandez
AJ Fernandez might be better known for his infamously potent blends, but New World Cameroon Selection proves that he has the chops to make cigars for mere mortals, too. Flavors of earth, spices, sweet cedar, and white pepper converge on the palate beautifully thanks to an assist in the blending room from AJ’s father, Ismael. Underneath its African Cameroon wrapper, Cameroon Selection boasts a robust blend of Nicaraguan tobaccos that leave an impression—not a scar. And to sweeten an already enticing pot, the cigars are quite affordable too. Light one up and see if it’s a match for your palate!
Romeo y Julieta House of Romeo Toro
I can forgive anyone who tries to call my bluff for championing Romeo y Julieta House of Romeo. No doubt, it’s exclusive to Famous, making my praise seem biased. The truth is though, House of Romeo is the real deal. And I have an inbox full of ‘thank you!’ replies to past recommendations to prove it. House of Romeo’s flavors are dark, tangy, and floral with a berry sweetness that reminds me a bit of jam. It’s by far my favorite Romeo smoke and a serious contender for my overall favorite Famous exclusive. The cigar sneaks a little past medium thanks to an Ecuador Habano wrapper and core of Honduran & Dominican tobaccos, but I’m going to let it slide, because it deserves all the ink I can give it. Try it, and I’ll await your ‘thank you!’ too.
AVO Heritage Toro
Henke Kelner, the mastermind behind Davidoff’s blending prowess, worked with Avo Uvezian to craft this AVO masterpiece. Heritage is listed as full-bodied, but those who have smoked it tend to categorize it closer to the medium-bodied spectrum, and for good reason. It’s creamy, smooth, and brims with cedar, toast, spices, and a gentle pepper note. For the recipe, the duo chose an Ecuador Habano Sun Grown wrapper, a Dominican binder, and a filler combo of Dominican Ligero and Seco with zesty Peruvian leaves. Light up the firepit and pour yourself a glass of your favorite spirits. This one will take you well into the evening hours.
E.P. Carrillo La Historia E-III
After reining in the Cigar of the Year in 2018 with Encore, it’s clear that Ernesto Perez-Carrillo has his finger on the pulse of what cigar smokers crave. La Historia E-III is a prized blend by cigar fanatics, and it reached superstar status in 2014 when it was tapped for the # 2 spot of that year. And when you start peeling back the details of this cigar, it’s not hard to see why. With its Mexican San Andres Maduro wrapper, Ecuador Sumatra binder and Nicaragua long-fillers, warm notes of earth, wood, coffee, and fruit are abounding. I think the cigar is even better than its #1 cousin, but I’ll let you be the judge.
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Robusto
A staple of the Rocky Patel portfolio, Vintage 1992 in renowned for its consistency in flavor and complexity. The aroma reminds me of peanut butter, and you can depend on vibrant echoes of sweet spiciness, coffee, and even a pinch caramel. This is all made possible by Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, a Nicaragua binder, and an incredible 10-year-aged Ecuador Sumatra wrapper. I’ve gone on record before to say Rocky isn’t my go-to brand, but to exclude this cigar would be criminal. In my opinion, if you only ever light up one of his smokes, make sure Vintage 1992 is on the band.
Oliva Serie G Toro
In a marketplace filled with cigars trying to be Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Bentleys, Oliva Serie G is a Toyota. On the surface, that may seem like a put-down, but dig deeper. Those supercars…sure, they’re nice. But they’re expensive, heavy on maintenance, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a few blocks down the road before they’ve broken down. The Toyota is a workhorse. You can depend on it, it’s relatively cheap, and you’ll probably die before it does. And that’s the G’s real value. You’re getting much more for your money. Expect a smooth, aromatic smoke with vibes of citrus, spice, and earth from start to finish from these Cameroon-wrapped treats and truly make the most of your cigar budget.
Brick House Robusto
Getting its name from the brick-laden Newman family house in Hungary, Brick House is widely considered one of the best buys in the cigar biz. It finishes sweet and throughout the length of the smoke, it dishes hits of cedar, fruit, coffee, spice, and tea. As Nicaraguan puros go, this blend isn’t as punchy as you might expect, but it still has enough edge to satisfy the purist crowd. You’ll love it for its balance, low price, and complexity. Discover why Brick House’s sea of fans keep coming back for more and you might end up finding the next every-day stick that’ll help to keep your humidor filled.