Best full-strength cigars
The top-scoring cigars rated full strength. These hit harder than most, so they're best smoked slowly, after a meal. If you're newer to cigars, start with a medium.
5 cigars · ranked live from The Cigar Score · updated Nov 14, 2026
Quick answer
- 1Ashton Virgin Sun Grown · score 91
- 2La Aroma de Cuba · score 90
- 3Herrera Estelí Norteño · score 90
All 5, ranked
Ashton Virgin Sun GrownFull · Ecuador wrapper912
La Aroma de CubaFull · USA wrapper903Herrera Estelí NorteñoFull · Mexico wrapper904
C.L.E. MaduroFull · Mexico wrapper905Olmec MaduroFull · Mexico wrapper90We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes a score or a rank. How we make money
Questions people ask
Is a darker cigar always stronger?
No. The wrapper's colour comes mostly from how long the leaf was fermented. Strength comes mostly from the filler tobacco inside, so a light-wrapped cigar can be strong and a dark one can be gentle.
Who rates the strength?
Each cigar page says who rated it. For now most strength ratings come from Cigar Aficionado's published reviews.
Ranked by The Cigar Score, built from critic scores, year-end lists and smoker ratings. How we score