Choosing a cigar can be overwhelming for beginners and long-time enthusiasts. Cigars come in a wide array of shapes and sizes. And they play a key role in how the cigar will smoke. From popular Corona and Robusto cigars to the unique Culebra and Perfecto, we’ll cover the basics when it comes to cigar sizes and shapes with this guide.
Parts of a Cigar
Before we jump into the shapes and sizes of cigars, let’s cover the parts of a cigar. A cigar has three key parts: the wrapper, the binder, and the filler.
Filler
The filler is made up of various types of tobacco and determines a cigar’s flavor and strength.
Binder
The binder is also made from tobacco and is placed just inside the outer wrapper. It keeps the filler in place and determines how evenly the cigar will burn.
Wrappers
The wrapper is where most of the flavor comes from. It can also give you a hint as to the strength and flavor profile of the cigar. Wrappers come in various colors, from pale yellow to green to deep brown. The color is determined by how the tobacco is processed, the type of tobacco, and the exposure to sunlight.
Cigar Names
Vitola is a term you may see used when talking about cigar types. Vitola refers to the size and shape of the cigar. Examples of Vitola names include Corona, Robusto, and Churchill. The Vitola name is separate from the brand. Each Vitola across brands will have a similar ring gauge, length, and shape. Let’s jump into the different shapes and sizes, along with specific Vitola names.
Cigar Shapes
There are several different shapes of cigars. The most common shape of cigars is Parejos. This cigar shape has a long body with straight sides and a cylindrical shape. The foot is open, and the head is rounded. They come in a wide variety of sizes.
The other main type of cigar is Figurados, where the cigar is not straight-sided like a Parejo but can have pointy tips and tapered sides. There are several types of Figurados.
Torpedo
Torpedo cigars have a tapered head and straight sides. They are less defined by size than other shapes of cigars and can often fit within the Pyramid category.
Belicoso
Belicoso cigars are similar in size to a Robusto but have a tapered head versus a rounded head. They are around 5 ½ inches long with a ring gauge of 52. Some say the tapered head helps to create a smoother mouthfeel.
Pyramid
Pyramid shape cigars have a pointed head that tapered down the body of the cigar. They are 6 to 7 inches long and have a ring gauge of about 52 to 54. The larger size makes Pyramids good for when you want a longer smoke.
Perfecto
A Perfecto cigar has a tapered head, much like the Belicoso and Pyramid. A distinct feature of this shape is a slight bulge in the body and a tapered foot. Perfecto sizes vary greatly.
Cigar Sizes
All cigars have special shape names, Vitola names, and are measured in length and diameter, referred to as the ring gauge. The length is in inches, and the ring gauge is measured in 64ths of an inch. Take the Corona, for example — it is 5 ½ inches long and has a ring gauge of 42, which can be written as 5 ½ x 42.
Contrary to what many may think, the size of the cigar does not always correspond to its strength. The filler or tobacco is what makes a cigar strong or mild in flavor. The size matters most in regard to the length of the smoke – how hot and fast it will burn. Thick, longer cigars will take longer to smoke, whereas thinner, short cigars will take less time.
Below are several cigar sizes and their names listed from smallest to largest.
Petit Corona
Petit Corona cigars are essentially smaller Coronas that are about 4 ½ inches long and have a ring gauge of around 42. These cigars are great for a shorter smoke and beginners.
Robusto
Robusto cigars, also sometimes called Rothschild, are one of the most popular sizes of cigars. They are perfect for a shorter smoke that lasts around 30 minutes and is usually around 5 inches long with a ring gauge of 50. Robusto cigars are great for beginners with a lower price point than some larger-sized cigars like Toros or Churchills.
Corona
Corona is the benchmark cigar size that many other cigars are measured against. They typically have a ring gauge of 42 and are about 5 ½ inches long. A Corona takes a little longer to smoke than a Robusto, at about 45 minutes.
Toro
Toro means “bull” in Spanish and is a prevalent cigar type. It’s a perfect in-between size that takes 45 minutes to savor.
Gordo
Toro Gordo is a “fat bull” that’s also called a 6 X 60 due to its size. This thick cigar takes an hour to smoke and has become increasingly popular over the past several years.
Lonsdale
A Lonsdale is a longer Corona that lasts about 45 minutes. It is considered a long, thin cigar with a ring gauge of 42 and a length of 6 ½ inches.
Churchill
Named for the famous British Prime Minister, Churchill cigars take about an hour to smoke. The average Churchill is 7 inches long with a larger ring gauge of 50. Churchills are perfect for when you have plenty of time to enjoy a long smoke.
Lancero
Lancero cigars are also known as Panetela cigars. They have more varied lengths than some other size cigars, ranging from 5 ½ to 7 ½ inches, and a ring gauge between 34 and 38. Lanceros in the U.S. usually have a larger ring gauge and are a bit longer than their European counterparts. Lanceros are known for having complex flavors that develop throughout the smoke that can last XXX.
Double Corona
A Double Corona is meant for a long smoke. They are around 7 ½ inches long with a ring gauge of around 50.
Culebra
Have you ever seen a cigar that looks like multiple cigars twisted together? This shape of cigar is called a Culebra. It is made by twisting three Panetela cigars together. To smoke, you untwist the cigars and smoke each individually. It is a truly unique cigar and experience.
Want to learn more about cigars? Take a look at our guide to cigars. Or if you are ready to put your cigar knowledge to use, check out our array of cigars or visit us in-store to explore our humidor.