America's #1 Online Cigar Auction
first, best, biggest!

Last post 20 years ago by SteveS. 14 replies replies.
Full Body vs. Full Strength
Jump to Bottom | Previous Topic | Next Topic
Fatshotbud Offline
#1 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 6:41 AM EST
Joined: 03-31-2003
Posts: 782
I can tell that there are some highly experienced cigar folks on this forum (more than me anyway). This is my query - there seems to be a leaning towards using the terms "body" and "strength" in a synonymous fashion. To me a "full bodied" cigar is one with a exceptionally complex flavor profile. Whereas "cigar strength" has more to do with impact level on the palate of a typically lesser dimensional flavor profile. I like a lot of flavor but not having my socks knocked off. Also, is there a trend these days of producing more peppery flavored cigars.
What do you think?
SteveR@CigarBid Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 6:57 AM EST
Joined: 11-19-2002
Posts: 12,746
In my opinion:

When discussing cigars, body and strength are the same thing. I have noticed that a lot of people confuse body and flavor. Body is the strength of the cigar. A full bodied cigar is one that gives me a nice buzz while smoking it. Flavor, well...is flavor. There are many mild bodied cigars that are full in flavor to me (ie: helix). However, there are many full bodied cigars that are 'mild' in flavor to me (ie: bucanero)

Spicy Cigars: are good! Why not make more :) More sun-growns wanted!
rayder1 Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 7:04 AM EST
Joined: 06-02-2002
Posts: 2,226
I consider full body to be related to smoke density. I get some cigars that taste good, but don't put out much in the way of quality smoke. They are just flavorful.

When I can get a good mouthful of smoke. Where it feels as though I took a bite out of a cloud of cigar smoke, then I consder that to be full bodied.
It's a feel you get in your teeth and nose. As if there was something there.

When you find something that tastes great and is chewy (like a fine Cabernet of Zinfandel)...you have a flavorful full bodied cigar.

JonR Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 7:40 AM EST
Joined: 02-19-2002
Posts: 9,740
I like getting my socks knocked off, sometimes I wear two pair for twice the fun. LOL JonR
efm Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 10:45 AM EST
Joined: 01-23-2001
Posts: 499
Let me explain it in technical terms. If you're a Star Trek fan you probably know the character called Seven-of-Nine. That's full body. Arnold Schwartsnegger, on the other hand, if full strength. It's a personal preference but I know which one I'd rather have knocking my socks off.
Penguin13 Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 11:14 AM EST
Joined: 07-26-2002
Posts: 1,546
I had to do a search for seven-of-nine to see what you were talking about..THAT makes me want to watch Star Trek :)

KC
Robby Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 12:36 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Hot47of9 (one of my old passwords :-)
SteveS Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 2:29 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I tend to the thought that "body" and "strength" are different ... I feel "full-bodied" is, as mentioned above, a complexity, a fullness, a richness of flavor, a depth of character ... "strength" however, strikes me more as the power with which the "body" is conveyed ...

There are cigars on the market that have no particularly redeeming flavor, no depth of character, no complexity but DO have a great one dimensional harshness ... these, to me, are clearly strong, but certainly not "full-bodied" ...

Perhaps that's putting too fine a point on it, but that's the view from here ...
BMW Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 2:50 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 3,010
I think I agree with SteveS.

Peppery on the other hand, is a delicate thing. It can easily translate to "Harsh". Aston VSG is one that delivers a peppery flavor without being harsh.

Barry
jd1 Offline
#10 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:00 PM EST
Joined: 02-14-2001
Posts: 3,118
what SteveS and BMW said.
Robby Offline
#11 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:14 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
Some folks I've spoken with say the Partagas Black is "strong for the sake of strength", or the Joya De Nic Ant 1970, same story, I like both of these smokes. They are both very strong, and some might say "harsh", but to quote Mic and the boys, "Time is on my side, yes it is". I have some Bolivar Fuerte's which were along the same lines, very strong and considered harsh by some, I've had them coming up on two years, and quite a bit of the bite has gone from their bark. They're still strong, you're not going to age the kick out of a cigar like the ones mentioned here if they're properly humidified, but the edge does come off of them. And I particularly enjoy a good "strong" full-bodied cigar. As well as many medium body, smoother cigars.
Grizzled.Old.Board.Purest Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:27 PM EST
Joined: 05-05-2003
Posts: 99
What Robby said...
puskarich Offline
#13 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 5:53 PM EST
Joined: 01-04-2003
Posts: 2,143
Seven-of-Nine should change her name to Six-of-Nine.
eleltea Offline
#14 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 6:07 PM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
I think fatbud has it right.
SteveS Offline
#15 Posted: Mon, May 12 2003, 7:19 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
Robby writes:
" some say Partagas Black is "strong for the sake of strength", or the Joya De Nic Ant 1970, same story, I like both of these smokes. They are both very strong, and some might say "harsh" .... I have some Bolivar Fuerte's which were along the same lines, very strong and considered harsh by some, I've had them coming up on two years, and quite a bit of the bite has gone from their bark. They're still strong, you're not going to age the kick out of a cigar like the ones mentioned here if they're properly humidified, but the edge does come off of them. And I particularly enjoy a good "strong" full-bodied cigar. As well as many medium body, smoother cigars."

These, IMO, are some good examples of "full-bodied", but not harsh, cigars ... like beauty being in the eye of the beholder, i guess full bodied and harsh are in the taste of the smoker ... good example too, of needing to know and understand the taste of someone whose recommendations you choose to follow ...
Users browsing this topic
Guest
Back to Top