My Cigar Selection : A Leader's Guide to Shape, Size, and Shade

‍A Primer on Cigar Shapes, Sizes, and Colors

When you first step into a walk-in humidor can be an exercise in pleasant confusion. The sheer variety is dazzling—cigars short and stout, long and slender, dark and oily, or pale and delicate. But this diversity is not random; each cigar’s physical characteristics are a deliberate choice by the manufacturer, designed to craft a specific smoking experience. Understanding these fundamentals of shape, size, and color is the first step in moving from a casual smoker to a true aficionado.

The Architecture of a Cigar: Shape (Vitola)

Every cigar falls into one of two main categories, which are then broken down into numerous sub-types. There is no correlation between the size of a cigar and its strength. Something to note is that there is no consistency of strength from brand to brand: one company's piramide is likely to taste very different from another's.

1. Parejos (Straight-Sided Cigars)

The most common and traditional shape, a parejo is a cigar with straight sides, a rounded head (the part you cut), and an open foot (the part you light). They are the benchmark against which most other cigars are measured.

• Corona: The classic benchmark. Traditional dimensions are 5 1/2 to 6 inches by a 42 to 44 ring gauge. It's a balanced, approachable format. Example : Ramon Allones Small Club Corona Cigar.
• Petit Corona : A smaller corona, this cigar generally measures about 4 1/2 inches, with a ring gauge of 40 to 42. Example. Bolivar Petit Corona

• Robusto: The most popular size in many markets, especially the U.S. It offers a full-flavored experience in a compact format, typically 4 3/4 to 5 1/2 inches by a 48 to 52 ring gauge. Example Ramon Allones Specially selected.
• Toro (or Corona Gorda): A favored modern size, offering a longer smoke than a Robusto with a substantial ring gauge. Common dimensions are 5 5 /8 by 46  ring gauge. Example :Joya Nicaragua Rosalones Reserva Corona Gorda.

• Churchill: A large, elegant cigar that demands time. The classic dimension is 7 inches by a 47 ring gauge, named for the iconic statesman who favored this size.Example : Romeo y Julieta Churchills
• Lancero/Panetela: A long and slender format, prized by connoisseurs for its pronounced wrapper flavor. Dimensions vary, but a classic Lancero is around 7 to 7 1/2 inches witht a ring gauge of 34 to 38. Example: Oliva Serie V Liga Especial Lancero
• Lonsdale: A lonsdale is generally longer than a corona but thicker than a panetela, with a classic size of 6 1/2 inches by 42 ring.

• Grande: The Heavyweights of the Humidor : Once dismissed as a passing trend, grandes have firmly staked their claim in the premium cigar world. Emerging in the early 2000s, these thick-ringed cigars—starting at a hefty 60 gauge and reaching up to 70 or even 80—now headline the portfolios of nearly every top-tier non-Cuban manufacturer. With a minimum length of 4¾ inches, the grande demands attention, delivering bold flavor, cool smoke, and a long, leisurely burn.

2. Figurados (Irregularly Shaped Cigars)

These cigars deviate from the straight-sided parejo format and are often a showcase of a roller’s supreme skill.

• Pyramid: A cigar with a tapered head that comes to a point. It typically has a standard open foot and widens progressively from head to foot. This shape is treasured for its ability to concentrate flavor on the palate. The iconic Montecristo No. 2 is a classic example.
• Belicoso: Traditionally, a short pyramid with a slightly rounded head. Modern Belicosos are often closer to a corona or robusto size with a tapered head, offering a concentrated burst of flavor.
• Torpedo: While often used interchangeably with "Pyramid," a true Torpedo is technically a cigar with a closed foot and a pointed head, featuring a bulge in the middle. However, in modern usage, it almost always refers to a pyramid-shaped cigar.
• Perfecto: A highly stylized shape with a closed foot and a rounded, bulged middle that tapers back toward the head. The draw and burn change dramatically as you smoke through its varying ring gauges.

The Substance of a Cigar: Size (Length and Ring Gauge)

A cigar's size is defined by two measurements:

• Length: Measured in inches.
• Ring Gauge: The diameter, measured in 64ths of an inch. A cigar with a 42 ring gauge is 42/64ths of an inch thick.

Size is not merely aesthetic. A thicker cigar (like a Gordo, 60+ ring gauge) will burn slower and cooler, often allowing the complex flavors of the filler blend to be more pronounced. A thinner cigar intensifies the influence of the wrapper leaf, as it makes up a greater proportion of the overall blend.

The Complexion of a Cigar: Wrapper Color

A cigar's wrapper is its most expensive component and is responsible for a huge part of its flavor. While dozens of subtle variations exist, wrappers are generally grouped into these primary color categories, which hint at the flavor profile within:

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‍Claro (or Connecticut Shade) :Light tan or pale yellow-green. Grown under shade tents.Mild, creamy, subtle notes of hay, cedar, and toasted nuts.

‍Colorado Claro (or Natural): Light, golden-brown.Often nutty and cedary, with a bit more spice than a Claro.

‍Colorado: Medium-brown with a distinct reddish hue.Smooth, aromatic, and complex, with notes of sweet spice and earth.

‍Colorado Maduro :Darker than Colorado, but not as dark as Maduro.Richer and more aromatic, often with a balance of spice and sweetness.

‍Maduro :From the Spanish word for "ripe." A very dark brown to almost black wrapper. Achieved through extended fermentation.Rich, complex, and often sweet, with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, and black pepper.

‍Oscuro: The darkest wrapper, nearly pitch black. Achieved by using the highest-priming leaves and fermenting them for an exceptionally long time.Intensely strong and flavorful, with robust notes of espresso, black pepper, and dark earth.

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