What Are Full Cigars?
Full means the nicotine hits you like a handshake from someone who doesn't know their own strength. Within the first three or four draws, you feel it in the back of your throat, a slight tingle. By the five-minute mark, it's in your chest—a warm, expanding pressure that isn't uncomfortable, but demands your attention. Your heart rate ticks up a few beats, and you might feel a light sweat on your brow if you're smoking on an empty stomach. This is not a background smoke; it's a physical event. Smokers who seek this level are usually daily or near-daily smokers—people who smoke three or more times a week—who have built a tolerance and now chase that immediate, cerebral satiation. They want a cigar that finishes the job in an hour, not one that teases for two. The 601 La Bomba is a benchmark here: it's a blunt instrument of nicotine that doesn't apologize. The AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf is a more refined version of the same power, while the Alec Bradley Prensado shows that full strength can come with creamy, dark chocolate depth. Remember, strength is one axis; a full cigar can still be delicate in flavor, though often the two run together. This is a meal, not a snack.
What to Expect
Pre-light, the aroma is often pungent—earth, leather, and a faint barnyard funk. The first third hits immediately: black pepper on the retrohale and that chest warmth within minutes. The nicotine builds steadily, not in a spike, but a rising tide. By the second third, the strength is undeniable; you feel it behind your eyes and in a slight heaviness in your limbs. Flavors shift from pepper to deep cocoa, roasted coffee, and sometimes a sweet, dark fruit note. The final third is where it sits heaviest in your stomach—a solid, warm weight that tells you dinner is mandatory soon. You might slow down here, taking fewer puffs. An hour after you ash out, you feel a pleasant, lingering calm, slightly buzzed, and deeply satisfied. You won't need another cigar today.
Full Cigars in AshMap (60)
- 601 Black Label Toro
- 601 La Bomba Gordo
- 601 La Bomba Robusto
- 601 La Bomba Toro
- 601 La Bomba Warhead
- AJ Fernandez AJ Fernandez New World Oscuro Toro
- AJ Fernandez Diesel Unholy Cocktail
- AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf Robusto
- AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf Toro
- AJ Fernandez Man O' War Ruination
- Alec Bradley Alec Bradley Prensado Lonsdale
- Alec Bradley Alec Bradley Prensado Toro
- Alec Bradley Black Market Toro
- Alec Bradley Prensado Robusto
- Alec Bradley Black Market Black Market Doble Toro
- Alec Bradley Black Market Black Market Gordo
- Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli Black Market Esteli Churchill
- Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli Black Market Esteli Corona
- Alec Bradley Black Market Esteli Black Market Esteli Figurado
- Alec Bradley Maxx Maxx Belicoso
- Alec Bradley Maxx Maxx Gran Toro
- Alec Bradley Maxx Maxx Toro
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Belicoso
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Churchill
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Double Toro
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Gordo
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Gran Toro
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Lonsdale
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Robusto
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Toro
- Alec Bradley Prensado Prensado Torpedo
- Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art Lost Art Churchill
- Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art Lost Art Lancero
- Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art Lost Art Toro
- Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art Prensado Churchill
- Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art Prensado Gran Toro
- Alec Bradley Prensado Lost Art Prensado Torpedo
- Antaño Gran Reserva Churchill
- Antaño Gran Reserva Corona
- Antaño Gran Reserva Gordo
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Full cigars?
On the AshMap spectrum, Full refers to the nicotine strength and its physical impact. It's the difference between sipping a beer and taking a shot of bourbon. You feel it in your chest and stomach within minutes, not just on your tongue. It's a heavy, immediate sensation that requires a certain level of tolerance to enjoy comfortably.
What is the nicotine content of Full cigars?
Cigars don't list nicotine in milligrams, but Full cigars deliver nicotine rapidly and in high volume. Compared to a Mild cigar, which might give you a gentle background hum, a Full cigar is a loud, clear signal. The leaf is typically grown in sunnier, nutrient-rich soil, and the filler is dense, meaning more nicotine per puff.
What are the best Full cigars?
For a pure, unapologetic power hit, try the 601 La Bomba. If you want full strength with a bit more complexity and sweetness, the AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf is excellent. The Alec Bradley Prensado is a great choice if you prefer a fuller body with creamy, rich flavors that mask the strength slightly.
Are Full cigars good for beginners?
Only if you smoke regularly and know your tolerance. If you smoke one or two cigars a month, a Full cigar will likely make you feel nauseous and lightheaded. If you smoke a few times a week and handle medium cigars easily, you can try a Full cigar slowly, on a full stomach, and with a sugary drink nearby. It's not about experience; it's about nicotine tolerance.
How long do Full cigars last?
Most Full cigars in this category are robustos, toros, or Gordos. A Robusto will burn in about 45 to 60 minutes. A Toro or Gordo will take you 60 to 90 minutes. Because the nicotine is so intense, most smokers don't push for the largest vitola; the strength often dictates a shorter smoke session.
What should I drink with a Full cigar?
Skip the whiskey—the alcohol can amplify the nicotine rush and make you dizzy. Instead, try a strong, sweet coffee like a Cuban-style cafecito or a dark roast with a spoonful of sugar. The caffeine and sugar give your body a counterbalance to the nicotine, while the bitter coffee notes complement the earthy, cocoa flavors of the cigar. A cold root beer also works well for the same reason.