What constitutes a Full Bodied cigar? From wrapper types to blend ratios, cigars come in all styles and flavors accustomed to their curation and curing time.

Many individuals who are fairly new to cigars will usually steer clear from anything labeled “full-bodied” but we here at the Blending Room are here to guide you into the flavorful world of these complex and variable treats that will open your palette up to a whole new world of cigars.

From the old school to new releases, light to dark, we have a phenomenal Top 5 list for you filled with some of our favorite full-bodied cigars of 2023 – and be sure to click the link below to save on this limited-release sample pack available only at JRcigars.com

Length – 5

Ring – 50

Shape – Parejo

Wrapper Type – Ecuador Sumatra

Binder – Dominican Republic

Filler – Dominican Republic

Origin – Dominican Republic

Strength – Full

Wrapper Shade – EMS

Smoke Time – 60 minutes

H.Upmann is a legacy all its own. Named after its founder, German banker Herman Upmann, this Cuban heritage band is and always has been a staple to the cigar industry. Producing some of the best smokes on the market today, H. Upmann has many blends and collaborations to shop from including the Heritage by AJ Fernandez to the celebratory 175^th.

For this full bodied Top 5 we chose to showcase the sleeper of H. Upmann cigars, the Hispaniola by Jose Mendez. This stunning red treat showcases some of the best tobaccos H. Upmann has to offer coming out of the Dominican Republic.

Rolled with tobaccos grown in the Andullo and Piotico regions of the D.R., you’ll be enveloped into a complex world flavor tones from almonds and cocoa to cedar and spice, and its so well-balanced that it will make you rethink the way full-bodied cigars are blended.

Showcasing a stunning red hue Sumatra wrapper grown in Ecuador, the H. Upmann Hispaniola is absolutely stunning and is like no other full-bodied cigar I, at least, have ever smoked.

Length – 5

Ring – 52

Shape – Parejo

Wrapper Type – Connecticut Habano

Binder – Indonesia

Filler – Dominican Republic / Nicaragua

Origin – Nicaragua

Strength – Medium – Full

Wrapper Shade – Maduro

Smoke Time – 60 minutes

Drew Estate is clearly one of the heavy hitters of today in the premium cigars business. We here at J.R. are lucky enough to call this next pick an exclusive with it being probably one of the best smokes coming out of the La Gran Fabrica factory in Nicaragua.

NightShade is a deceptively dark cigar that is packed with flavors and transitions that easily could cost $20+ or more for a quarter of that price. This Connecticut Habano wrapped cigar cloaks an Indonesian binder with sweet flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and dried fruit that showcases the unabridged age  Drew Estate puts into their amazin tobaccos.

Filled with tobacco from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, this Maduro treat is truly unforgettable and one gem that’s great for any level smoker.

Length – 6.50

Ring – 54

Wrapper Type – Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder – Nicaragua

Filler – Nicaragua

Origin – Nicaragua

Smoke Time – 100 minutes

The Crowned Heads CHC Serie E is a full bodied smoke perfect for any music lover, especially one of the guitar god Eddie Van Halen!

Modeled and blended as an homage to the breakout guitar solo song ‘Eruption’ off the self-titled breakout album from Van Halen, this smoke embodies the full-body experience that pleases the palette as the epic Eddie guitar solo brings joy to the ears of anyone listening to the surreal track!

Filled and bound with Nicaraguan tobacco from Ometepe, Jalapa, and Pueblo Nuevo, this cigar erupts with earthy flavors like cedar, chocolate, white pepper, and a sweetness that rounds it out beautifully. Its Ecuadorian Habano wrapper gleams with red goodness that contrast beautifully from its gorgeous ‘franken-strat’ band that could easily be placed in any rock-and-roll museum – because if there’s one thing Crowned Heads is better at than picking out amazing blends is their packaging.

Length – 5

Ring – 56

Wrapper Type – Connecticut Broadleaf

Binder – Cameroon

Filler – Nicaragua

Origin – Nicaragua

Strength – Full

Wrapper Shade – Maduro

Smoke Time – 40 minutes

A cult favorite, RoMa Craft is beloved by many cigar smokers throughout the world. With a wide variety of blends to choose from though, we here at The Blending Room truly have found a love connection with the CroMagnon line.

Though this EMH 5×56 size minght be small for somel, this little guy packs a punch of exceptional flavors that any aficionado would love. From its Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper to the exquisite Cameroon binder, this cigar supplies exquisite strength with a smooth draw that compliments its flawless construction.

Now the Cameroon binder is what sets this gem apart from a lot of other full-bodied smokes you’ll find on the market. Cameroon tobacco is rarely used because of its rich flavors. But if done right, the complexition of those rich flavors can complement a cigar to new hights and RoMa Craft have achived it with this smoke.

Length – 6

Ring – 52

Shape – Parejo

Wrapper Type – Habano Oscuro

Binder – Nicaragua

Filler – Nicaragua

Origin – Nicaragua

Strength – Full

Wrapper Shade – Oscuro

Smoke Time – 100 minutes

Awarded as one of the finest cigars in 2011 by Cigar Journal, this full-bodied treat is pure class and enjoyment coming out of Pepin Garcia’s factory in Nicaragua. Known for their superb blends and classic style, the Le Bijou or “The Jewel” exudes everything My Father stands for by recreating a blends similar to those vintage smokes many old school cigar smokes would have enjoyed in the 20s – 50s.

Sporting a dark and beautiful Habano Oscuro wrapper, this premium smoke is filled with top-notch long-filler tobaccos grown right on Pepin’s farm in Nicaragua.

With hearty flavors of spice and dark roasted coffee with a creamy draw, The Le Bijou is expertly crafted with a phenomenal draw and a satisfying finish that will want you having more. Be sure to get yous in this limited time sample pack only available at JRCigars.com

What is a Full-Bodied Cigar? Most people think it’s the strength of the nicotine within the cigar you’re smoking. However, that is not the case. Most full-bodied cigars are extremely strong, but when a cigar is full-bodied, it is referring to the bulk and substance of the smoke and how it echoes off your palate.

Whether you’re a seasoned cigar smoker, or a novice one, if the cigar feels heavy on your palate and nose, most likely that smoke is a full-bodied one through and through. The more intensity from the cigar you feel in your mouth and nose, the stronger the body of the cigar is going to be. If you’re familiar with retrohailing, then that’s another way to determine if the cigar you’re smoking is either medium or full-bodied.

For this week’s Top 5 list and sampler, we collected some of our favorite full-bodied cigars floating around the industry. Some old, some new, these are our Top 5 favorite Full-Bodied Cigars for 2022. Don’t forget to get our limited time sampler at the link below.

With the recent success of the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua landing the number 2 spot on Cigar Aficionado’s Top 25 cigar of the year list for 2021, we figured this would be a great addition to our updated list of Full-Bodied Cigars.

There are several things that make this Nicaraguan Puro a full-bodied gem. First, this 5.50 x 46 smoke was made fully of Cuban seed tobacco that is expertly rolled at AJ Fernandez’s famous San Lotano Factory in Nicaragua.

When you have Cuban seed tobaccos for the wrapper, binder, and filler, your palate is in for quite the experience. Some exquisite flavor notes you’ll detect while enjoying this box-pressed beauty are coffee, wood, sweet spice, and earthy tones on the backend.

Before lighting up this Cuban-style cigar I recommend having a full stomach before smoking this award-winning cigar. Full-Bodied cigars are a lot to take in at times, and anything to help you enjoy the experience and not get sick is recommended. If you think the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua is right up your alley, then stop by our website today and get a box of 20 to add to your humidor!

Next up on our Top 5 Full-Bodied Cigars of 2022 is a classic smoke that hails from the Dominican Republic. Crafted by the Fuente Family, the Ashton VSG (Virgin Sun Grown) was designed in 1999, paving the way for Full-Bodied legendary smokes.

You may be wondering what makes the Ashton VSG a full-bodied cigar? My money is on the unique Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper that’s drenched over this 5.75 x 46 Corona Gorda.

With a binder and filler from the Dominican Republic, some mesmerizing flavor notes you’ll detect while smoking this classic stogie are cedar, earth, coffee beans, and leather on the backend.

Arriving in a Cedar Chest of 24, you can stop by JR Cigars’ website today and get yourself a box of these full-bodied gems and see why it’s 90+ rating still holds true after all these years.

One of the world’s most famous cigar brands, who also is the largest tobacco grower in Nicaragua lands smack dab in the middle of our Top 5 Full-Bodied Cigars. Last year when we were curating our 50th-anniversary list, we absolutely knew we needed our version of the Oliva Serie V Melanio on the list.

We were able to convince the great tobacconists of Oliva to make a change up for our 50^th celebration. The Oliva Melanio JR 50^th Anniversary is the first Melanio rolled in a classic round pressed shape, differing from the box-pressed shape the Melanio usually comes in.

What makes this 6 x 50 Round Toro a Full-Bodied gem is the culmination of the Nicaraguan tobaccos in the binder and filler and the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper that drenches this beautiful smoke. When you have flavor notes of cinnamon, black pepper, and leather, that adds to the full-body experience of the Olivia Melanio JR 50^th Anniversary.

With JR 50th edition cigars coming in limited quantity, we highly suggest hopping on over to our website and snagging a box of 10 for $99.95 today and add a piece of history to your collection!

Next up is a favorite of ours here at JR. Any chance we get to include this cigar in one of our Top 5’s we take it. The Mi Querida Triqui Traca in the 6 x 48 size is another full-bodied gem we absolutely had to have on this list.

With the combination of Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic for the binder and filler and a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, there’s no wonder this cigar is called “firecracker” by cigar lovers across the globe.

Flavor notes such as cinnamon, red pepper, espresso, chocolate, and oak add to the well-refined smoking experience your palate will endure. Steve Saka of Dunbarton used deeply aged tobaccos to make up this brilliant smoke. Much like the Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua, I highly recommend smoking the Mi Querida Triqui Traca on a full stomach so you can have an enjoyable smoking experience.

The last cigar to grace our Top 5 Full-Bodied Cigars of 2022 is the Joya de Nicaragua Antano from Drew Estate. Regarded as one of the top brands in the world, the Joya de Nicaragua Antano comes in several sizes, one being the 6. 88 x 48 Churchill size available in this Top 5 sampler.

True cigar enthusiasts absolutely love that this Nicaraguan puro features a Criollo wrapper that provides mouthwatering flavors with each and every puff. This strong blend has delicious flavor notes of chocolate, earth, black pepper, and a touch of cinnamon on the backend.

If you tackle any full-bodied Churchill, specifically this one, I highly recommend keeping yourself hydrated. I always like to prepare myself ahead of time when I have a full-bodied stogie just in case it is too much for me to handle. It takes a few years for your body to get used to the strength of a full-bodied smoke.

The first thing that you will notice about this popular cigar is its eye-catching good looks. The Juan Lopez Seleccion No.1 is a Nicaraguan puro that is solidly packed, and has a stunning, soft to the touch, reddish-brown wrapper. Immediately upon lighting, strong black pepper and spice notes enliven the palate. This initial burst quickly subsides and gives way to a very enjoyable nuttiness. As the smoke progresses, a mosaic of tantalizing taste components that include sweet spice, cedar, cocoa, and coffee join the mix. These main flavors remain dominant throughout, and the cigar burned very slowly and held its balance and complexity right down to the last puff.

This fat little premium stick made by cigar legend Ernesto Carillo, features a licorice black wrapper that is noticeably thick and very oily to the feel. Upon opening the box, the rich aroma of earthy dark tobacco comes wafting through. Those first few puffs reveal a nice airy draw, thick volumes of smoke, and notes of musky tobacco and heavy spice.  The first third slowly introduces an amazing complexity as the essence of raisins, leather, and espresso take charge. Towards the end, the No .4 became sweeter and slightly milder with licorice, cocoa, and creamy caramel joining the finish. Overall, the La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 4 Maduro offers a top-quality smoking experience.

Handcrafted in Cofradia, Honduras, this Cuban marque has become a legend in its own right. From the very first puff, and without hesitation, the famous Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona, offered a plethora of tastes that include leather, sweet spice, coffee and cream. This Doble remained remarkably flavorful right down to the nub, thanks to its seamlessly rolled Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and well-balanced blend of perfectly aged long-fillers from Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. For those venturing into the world of full flavored cigars, this brand is a perfect place to start!

Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Perfecto is truly a work of art. Outfitted in a strikingly beautiful Rosado colored Nicaraguan Habano Criollo wrapper, this is a premium cigar just begging to be smoked. The initial flavors provide the palate with robust, yet sweet flavors of raisins and exotic spice, all while giving off plentiful volumes of thick aromatic smoke. A precise slow and even burn remains throughout as a second wave of coffee, cream, cedar and cocoa notes present themselves. The Gran Perfecto finishes with a dash of spiciness that adds even more complexity to the blend. Powerful, yet smooth, this one of the best full-bodied offerings that money can buy.

Brought to you by renowned cigar artisan, Christian Eiroa, the popular Camacho Triple Maduro Robusto is not a cigar for the faint of heart! Immediately upon lighting, a blast of hot pepper will knock the unsuspecting smoker on his proverbial ass! However, as the Triple Maduro burns and you regain your senses, the flavors mellow out, and a delightful spicy sweetness takes over, making the initial somewhat shocking experience worth the wait. At the midway point, this stogy really begins to shine, as flavors of chocolate, dark coffee, raisins, and licorice engulf your palate. This devilishly delicious Robusto ends with a bit of a bang as the complexity once again intensifies for a fabulous grand finale. Those seeking the very best maduro experience will find this cigar irresistible.

With so many new brands flooding the market, the El Rey Del Mundo is one of those premium cigars that may be overlooked. Well, it’s time to stop “overlooking”, because this beauty is a true classic! The dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper that covers the El Rey del Mundo Flor de Llaneza Maduro (Pyramid) is so smooth and oily, that your mouth will begin watering before you light the darn thing up! Beyond aesthetics, this Cuban style Figurado really delivers in taste. Starting with a very easy draw and a mellow buttery essence, it quickly opens up with dominant notes of leather, sweet spice, coffee, and chocolate. The bottom third of the cigar introduces a very creamy complexity that makes it hard to put out, even though you are ready to burn your thumb. If you’re looking for a solid and consistent stick that remains yummy till the very last puff, you can’t overlook the El Rey Del Mundo Flor de Llaneza Maduro.

The wrapper of the Montecristo Epic Toro is a nice deep reddish brown with minimal veins and an oily sheen. This stunning leaf sits atop specially aged Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. A strong blast of pepper from the first few puffs gives the impression that this cigar is going to be overpowering, but this initial blast quickly subsides, as flavors of caramel, cocoa, coffee, spice, and hints of earth settle in. The cigar finishes beautifully with the addition of some light floral notes and a sweet molasse taste that lingers on the palate. Impeccable construction, amazing flavor, and a delightfully sweet bouquet places the Montecristo Epic Toro in my top three.

Drew Estate turned the industry upside down with their flavored line of cigars; however, they continue to raise the premium cigar bar even higher with the incredible Liga Privada No. 9 Toro. A true masterpiece, its dark chocolate Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is stunning. Smooth, oily to the feel, and almost seamless, wrappers don’t get any nicer than this. Underneath, a thick and spicy Brazilian Mata Fina binder covers choice Honduran and Nicaraguan filler tobaccos. An ever-changing slew of complex flavors that include pepper, leather, roasted nuts, coffee bean, and sweet spice will make every puff a unique experience. This cigar can be summarized in one word: outstanding! Just smoke one and you will quickly realize why the Liga Privada is one of the most sought after and best-selling cigars on the planet.