When I first became interested in premium cigars, I’d often walk into my local cigar shop (Thomas Hinds Tobacconist) and leave without purchasing a single cigar. I had no idea what to buy, what brand was what, or why some cigars were darker than others. I also didn’t understand why there were so many shapes and sizes of cigars. Sometimes I’d just ask for something “big from Cuba” (which of course, is never a bad place to start…).
In this article, I will breakdown five common shapes and sizes of cigars and provide some basic facts on each. I hope this helps you feel more confident the next time you visit your local cigar shop, or maybe (if you’re lucky enough to remember) correct your father in law the next time he calls a Corona a Robusto…
FIRST — What is a cigar’s “ring gauge”?
The ring gauge is a measurement for the diameter of a cigar, and is based on 64ths of an inch. A cigar with a 64 ring gauge would be one inch in diameter. So, a cigar with a 54 ring gauge is 54/64ths of an inch thick.
Churchill
This seems to be one of the more well known cigar sizes, as it takes its name from Sir Winston Churchill. Sir Winston was famously known for always having a cigar in his mouth…
Traditionally, churchills are 7 inches in length and have a 47 ring gauge. Smoking time is usually 60 minutes +.
Robusto
This is one of my favourite sizes for a cigar. Robustos are short, anywhere between 4.75 and 5.5 inches, with a fatter ring gauge of 50 or 52 (and sometimes a 48). Smoking time is usually 45 to 60 minutes.
The La Aroma De Cuba Mi Amor Robusto is beautiful option.
Corona & Petit Corona
The corona is considered to be the benchmark size for all cigars. They are usually 5.5 to 6 inches long with a ring gauge of 42 to 44. Smoking time tends to be around 45 minutes.
The petit corona is simply a smaller corona, as the name suggests. It is usually between 4.5 and 5 inches in length with a 40 ring gauge; however, for some reason, the Cuban standard for a petit corona is approximately 5 and 1/8 inches long with a 42 ring gauge.
A fine example is the 2005 Bolivar Petit Corona. Smoking time tends to be sub-45 minutes.
Parejos are cylindrical cigars, while Figurados are irregularly shaped, more unique looking cigars.
Belicoso
Finally, a shape that’s a little different! The belicoso is part of the figurado category of cigar shapes. A belicoso tends to measure from 5 to 5.5 inches, with a ring gauge of roughly 50. Smoking time is around 60 minutes.
I recently reviewed the Ashton Symmetry Belicoso, which I’m a big fan of. It was full of cinnamon and dry fruit flavours.
Perfecto
The perfectos are unique because they are usually closed at the foot, as well as at the head. Therefore, I tend to cut both ends before lighting.
The perfecto has a bulge in the middle of the cigar. They can also be a variety of lengths, 4 inches and greater, with ring gauges anywhere from 38 to 48.
I recently reviewed the Davidoff Aniversario Short Perfecto. Smoking time: 30 minutes.
Culebra
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a culebra in person, but figured I would add it to this list given how strange I find it to be. The culebra was popular in the past. They are sold with three panetelas tied together and braided, and sold as one one cigar. The three cigars are then untied and smoked separately.
Now, there are certainly a handful of other shapes and sizes of cigars out there. However, I think the above list (excluding the Culebra of course) provides a solid base for cigar shopping.
I hope this article allows you to feel just a little better equipped for the next conversation with your local tobacconist.
Thank you for reading.
CIGARRO | Thoughts from the humidor…
