Industries have gained a serious cult over the years, almost the same way a good movie attracts a small yet passionate fan base. Cigars are now accessible in various dimensions than it was available in the past; it doesn’t surprise the consumer or the manufacturers. It’s not uncommon to find two cigars with the same size made by two different companies, displaying new terms to describe the size.
One of the easiest ways to classify a cigar is by its shape and size. This may sound simple, but it can be puzzling. Manufacturers across use a commonly established size and name to describe their cigars; the cigar’s authentic dimension with a particular term is used to differentiate among manufacturers.
Names or Numbers OR Number and Names?
A Cigar shape can vary significantly in size from brand to variety, describing a cigar by its size and body is essential. Let’s get past the confusion; it is easier to point out a cigar’s length and width when describing its size. The length is generally measured in inches, while the width is measured by ring gauge.
Even though there is an inconsistency with all the cigar names, it is still more interesting to describe the different sizes and shapes of cigars with names rather than numbers.
Let’s start with common names for the shapes first (just because it’s easier to remember than numbers)
You probably never have used terms that refer to a cigar; the most common name for a cigar is usually related to its size. Nevertheless, if you are curious to know more about the cigar culture, it’s quite interesting to understand what these terms refer to:
- Parejo: A Parejo is any cigar with perfectly straight sides with a cylindrical shape that is topped by a rounded head.
- Figurado: A cigar with an uneven shape (e.g., having a cone-shaped head) is called a Figurado.
- Belicoso: This cigar is Figurado-shaped that tapers sharply at the head. This term refers to any cigar that tapers at the head.
- Torpedo: This is a cigar with a narrowed head that comes with a very sharp point. Several manufacturers use different names for this shape.
- Pyramid: This is similar to Torpedo, but it is a cigar narrowed all along its length, not only near the end of the cigar.
- Culebra: This an odd cigar feature three individual cigars size braided together shaped like a pretzel. Culebra is a Spanish translation for “snake” that signifies the shape of the cigar. The smoker must separate the cigars before smoking them.
- Perfecto: Perfecto is a cigar tapered on both ends.
- Salomón: A Salomón is a large Perfecto-shaped cigar with a narrowed end that is usually cut flush.
- Diadema: This cigar is a perfecto-shaped, similar to a Salomón, but just slightly longer and thinner.
No matter what type of cigar you buy, it is essential to have cigar humidifier to keep it in a suitable condition so that the temperature outside doesn’t affect the quality and taste of a cigar.
Now getting to the names that are categorized because of its numbers:
| Name | Ring Gauge | Length (in.) |
| Corona | 42 to 45 | 5.5 to 6″ |
| Panatela | 34 to 38 | 5.5 to 6.5 |
| Lonsdale | 42 to 44 | 6 to 6.5 |
| Lancero | 38 to 40 | 7 to 7.5 |
| Churchill | 46 to 48 | 6.5 to 7 |
| Robusto | 48 to 50 | 4.5 to 5 |
| Toro | 48 to 50 | 6 to 6.5 |
| Presidente | 52 to 60 | 7 to 8.5 |
| Gigante | > 60 | > 6 |
| Torpedo (Cone Shaped Head) |
46 to 52 | 5 ½ to 6 ½ |
There is no connection between the size of a cigar and its strength. A 7-inch or 8-inch cigar prepared with mild tobacco will be mellow, while a thin, short cigar that is rolled with a strong tobacco flavor will be intense. The tobacco determines a cigar’s strength; light cigars generally tend to burn faster than the thick ones.
It is also vital to know that there is no consistency of strength from brand to brand. Cigar studio specializes in offering premium cigars to its customers, and it doesn’t end there. We also provide accessories like cigar humidifiers, pipes, tobacco accessories, etc. that go well with it.
We have been in the business for over 24 years now, and we aspire to provide good premium quality products for our consumers. The Cigar Studio collection is available on our website, and cigar store in Toronto. Contact hello@cigarstudio.com or call on 416-237-9470 for more information, you can also visit our store for premium cigars in Toronto.
