Cigar Sizes and Cigar Shapes

What Shapes do Cigars Come in?

Not all cigars are shaped the same. What shapes do cigars come in? The easiest way to think about cigar shapes is to break cigars into two categories: parejos and figurados. Parejos are traditional, cylindrical-shaped cigars. These are extremely common — and the majority of cigars are parejos. 

Figurados, on the other hand, are simply cigars that are not parejos. This means figurados don’t have a uniform, cylindrical shape. One of the most well-known figurados is the torpedo. Torpedoes are, unsurprisingly, cigars that come to a point at one end.

Other prevalent figurado types include:

• Perfectos — cigars that are pointed somewhat at both ends.
• Pyramids — similar to torpedoes, but with a wider foot.
• Belicoso — similar to a torpedo.
• Culebra — very rare. Traditionally, three cigars twisted and bound together by string.

How Are Cigars Measured?

Cigars are measured by length in inches. Cigars typically range from 4 inches to 7-8 inches long. 

Cigars are measured by width (diameter) in a measurement called a “ring gauge.” One ring equals 1/64th of an inch. So, a cigar with a 64 ring gauge is exactly an inch thick. When referencing cigar sizes, length is used first. For example, a cigar that is 5” x 32 is five inches long and a half an inch in diameter. A “normal” ring gauge is anything from 30-70.

What are the Different Cigar Sizes?

Cigars come in different sizes for the same reason that any product may come in a range of sizes: preference. It’s not surprising to see a cigar brand release the same cigar in different sizes. A cigar size is sometimes referred to as a “vitola.” 

What are all cigar sizes? It would be impossible to list all cigar sizes in this article, but some of the most popular cigar sizes include: 

• Double Corona (7 ½” x 50+) – Largest standard-sized cigars, these are great after-dinner choices and will provide the fullest flavor and coolest smoke. Double coronas take at least an hour to smoke.
• Churchill (7” x 47) – The next largest size, and a term often used erroneously to describe any large cigar. And yes, it was named after Winston Churchill, as this was his favorite shape.
• Corona Gorda (6” x 50) – The name literally means “fat corona;" it is also sometimes called a “Toro.” This is one of the most popular sizes today, providing full flavor in a manageable amount of time.
• Lonsdale (6 1/2” x 42) – This has always been one of the most popular sizes in the United States. However, recently, the Lonsdale has been losing popularity to larger-ringed cigars.
• Robusto (5” x 50) – A great trade-off between time and taste; a robusto provides big cigar flavor and coolness in a shorter cigar that only takes about 30 to 45 minutes to smoke. This shape is traditionally known as a Rothschild, and is one of the most popular sizes today.
• Corona (5 1/2” x 42) – Same ring size as a Lonsdale, just an inch shorter. It used to be the second most popular size in the United States, although, like the Lonsdale, it has been losing ground to larger diameter cigars.

What are the Different Cigar Types?

Cigar type usually doesn’t refer to the size or shape of the cigar, but rather the color or the strength. First, let’s tackle strength. What is cigar strength? To put it briefly, cigar strength is a description of the boldness of the smoke, and — more specifically — the potency of the nicotine. Cigars are categorized as mild, medium, or full-bodied in terms of their strength. 

While darker cigars tend to be stronger than lighter ones, exceptions to this rule abound.

What are the different cigar types? Though there are many sub-varieties of tobacco, the most common cigar types are:

• Candela — rare green tobacco. Contains grassy, herbal notes.
• Connecticut Shade — light brown, creamy cigars.
• Colorado — medium-bodied and spicy. Somewhat red in color.
• Maduro — dark brown, bold, and sometimes sweet.
• Oscuro — almost black. Contains heavy flavors.

Let’s recap with a real-life example. Consider the Hoyo de Monterrey Oscuro Toro (6 X 52). Just from the cigar’s name, you can tell the type (Oscuro), the length (six inches), and the diameter (52 ring gauge, 52/64ths of an inch).

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