[Zanaspus]

Excellent post by T.G. But I can add even one more confounding factor, uptake. Not all people will react similarly to the same tobacco. I may find one leaf strong that you do not and vice versa. Also, the ambient pH of one's saliva also has a huge effect. All other things being equal If your mouth is more alkaline than mine, you will think it's a stronger leaf. Most folks suggest a sugary drink with strong cigars with the assumption that the sugar will raise nicotine tolerance, when in fact most of the pain easing comes from lowering the pH in the mouth.