If we had based our early cigar purchases solely on the reviews in Cigar Aficionado, we may never have started smoking cigars. All their highly rated cigars seem to be nicotine powerhouses with the potential to level any newbie cigar smoker. To understand why this is so, we must remember that the reviewers at Cigar Aficionado smoke cigars all day and night, and have built up a tolerance to nicotine. Additionally, strong tobacco tends to have a more intense flavor and today’s cigar makers are pushing the envelope on both these fronts. There now seems to be a competition among cigar makers to create the strongest, most flavorful cigars possible. This has resulted in cigars of extraordinary flavor, but of unprecedented strength (nicotine levels). Seasoned cigar smokers can appreciate this level of cigar making, and the resultant positive reviews reflect this appreciation. But smoking super strong cigars can sometimes feel like work.
All of us have different cigar smoking tastes, but we all smoke cigars for the same reason: to give us pleasure. But smoking strong cigars is part of being an aficionado. We seek out highly rated cigars and smoke them in an analytical fashion, taking mental notes of flavor characteristics and construction quality. These are the kinds of smokers who benefit the most from the Cigar Aficionado ratings, as we look forward to discovering new cigars of extraordinary flavor. But smoking a powerhouse cigar can make us feel…well…awful. Yet we come back to these powerhouse cigars time and time again. Are we gluttons for punishment? I don’t think so. We are just adventurous cigar lovers looking for a new experience. Sometimes there is a small price to pay for being on the cutting edge of cigar trends.
On the flip side is the cigar smoker who smokes for one purpose only: relaxation. These smokers don’t care about cigar ratings, and seek cigars recommended by smokers with similar tastes. And when it comes right down to it, aren’t all smokers looking for a pleasurable experience? If a cigar makes us work, how enjoyable can it be?
Benjamin Franklin recommends that we experience everything in moderation. He was sure on to something. Smoking strong cigars can be stimulating but there is also a time for sitting back and relaxing with a cigar in hand. Luckily, mild cigars have also benefited from advances in cigar making and these cigars are no longer mild at the expense of flavor. Sometimes it’s simply nice to smoke for pleasure, rather than for the experience. Yet mild cigars never seem to get their due. They rarely rate well, if rated at all, and bloggers tend to gravitate towards the stronger, cutting edge cigars.
At this point I would like to herald the beauty and benefits of mild, yet tasty cigars and give them a voice amidst the din of the strong cigar movement. There is a time and place to sit back and relax with a cigar, even for an aficionado. Sometimes we study cigars at the expensive of simply enjoying them.
Here are some recommendations for mild cigars that don’t sacrifice flavor:
Perdomo Champagne
Alec Bradley American Classic
Ave Maria (AJ Fernandez)
CAO L’Anniversaire Cameroon
Sol Cubano Cuban Cabinet
La Palina Classic
Oliva G
Your additional suggestions are welcome in the comments section.
The other thing you didn’t mention about Cigar Aficionado ratings is their ability to taste a cornucopia of bizarreness like roasted meat, balsa, and tapioca.
Experiment often and stick with what you like.
Good read.
I would throw in a RP Edge Lite and a 601 Black as mild with big flavor.
Will
I wouldn’t consider the GH 3 siglos or Sol Cubana or Achilles mild.
I think of the original dominican montecristo, GH #1; and The Griffins in addition to Perdomo Champagne when I think of mild tasty cigars.
Gotta agree that the Sol Cubano CC and Gran Habano 3 Sigs aren’t what I consider mild.
I smoked a 3 Sigs last night and I definitely felt it toward the nub. And I’m a nic head. I smoke several strong cigars, a pipe, and a a few cigarettes every day.
I do think the Padilla Achilles is a perfect example of a milder cigar with a big flavor. and it;s affordable enough to smoke as an every day all day.
Great topic. I like strong cigars and that’s what I usually smoke. But bringing something a little lighter to the party while still keeping some big flavor is nice sometimes too.
All good recommendations. I would also toss in the Rocky Patel American Market Selection and the Fuente 8-5-8 Flor Fina.
Hmmm,
I wonder where you can buy those RP American Markets???
Rocky Patels’ first line Indian Tobac has the clasic and 5 Vegas ( is it cinco vegas ? ) has the gold and a clasic I think they are listed as Med However I find them to be on the mild side. I am not new to cigars been smokin them for some time now
Ave Maria is definitely NOT a mild cigar in any way shape or form. I have smoked a shoebox of them and sorry that cigar is at least medium/full bodied and flavored and frequently gives me the Niccups towards the final 3rd.
It is truly a tremendous cigar but not one I would ever consider mild.
Macanudo Classic = mild
Man o War – Virtue = mild.
5 Vegas Gold = mild
Most Connecticut wrappers = mild
Ave Maria = NOT MILD