Believe it or not, there are still people out there who have not yet discovered the many things that make cigars so special. However, as we’ve found over the years, the more people find out about cigars, the more they love them. Yet along the way and to make sure you truly get the very most out of any cigar-smoking experience, it’s good to know as much as possible about the many different types of cigars, as well as cigar shapes and cigar sizes. While you may think a cigar is a cigar, we can tell you that is in no way true. To help you along in your journey to gaining cigar wisdom and truly enjoying your next lighting up of a beloved stogie, we’ve compiled everything you’ve always wanted to know about cigar shapes, cigar sizes, and their colors here for your enjoyment.
If you want to become a true cigar aficionado and be able to hold up your end of the conversation the next time you’re in a cigar lounge, we suggest you begin by learning about cigar sizes. To begin with, there’s no direct correlation between a cigar’s size and its strength. For example, while a cigar that is thin and short will be full-bodied after being rolled in powerful tobaccos, an eight-inch cigar consisting of mild tobacco will be quite mellow. Also, we want you to know a cigar’s size is measured by length and ring gauge. While length is given in inches, the ring gauge is the diameter of a cigar given in increments of 1/64 of an inch. Thus, should you find a cigar you like that has a 42 gauge, we know you will immediately realize this means 42/64 inches in diameter.
Now that you know enough about cigar sizes so that you can pass Cigars 101, we’ll move on to the most important aspects of cigar shapes. Just as a cigar’s strength can vary from one brand to the next, so too can cigar shapes. Depending upon the preference you eventually settle on, remember that thin cigars often burn much hotter than fatter ones. When discussing cigar shapes and cigar sizes, the two most common types of cigars fall into categories known as parejos and figurados. Although most of the cigars you’ll find in your local cigar shop are parejos, we’ve found many cigar companies over the past few years have started to put a greater emphasis on creativity regarding cigar shapes. As a result, figurados are starting to become more common. As for some of the best types of parejos and figurados out there for your enjoyment, here are some of our all-time favorites.
Corona
If you want to look like you’ve been smoking cigars for many years, we suggest you begin by lighting up one of our favorite parejos, the Corona. Considered the benchmark of which all other cigars out there are compared to each and every time, the Corona is a time-tested and traditional cigar with a length of about six inches and a ring gauge between 42-44. As for our favorites, we usually go with Montecristo, Number Three.
Robusto
While we love our Corona, us and many others here in Atlanta and elsewhere also like lighting up a Robusto. Short and fat, it’s actually the most popular type of cigar in the United States. While having a length of about five inches, its ring gauge is an eye-popping 48-52. As for our favorite, we prefer the Cohiba Robusto.
Pyramids
When it comes to various types of figurados, there’s no doubt we always reach for Pyramids when we’re ready for a good stogie. While possessing cut feet like our beloved parejos, Pyramids live up to their name by having heads that are tapered to a point. Measuring about seven inches long, their ring gauge expands from 40 at the head to 54 at the foot. As for why we like Pyramids so much, it’s because the tapered head lets the cigar’s multiple flavors melt in one’s mouth. If you want to give the Pyramid a try, we recommend the Montecristo, Number Two.
Diadema
If you’ve got something really big to celebrate and have nothing but time on your hands, we suggest you reach for and light up a Diadema. Usually at least nine inches long, a Diadema will typically have a tapered head with a ring gauge of 40, but then have a foot with a ring gauge of at least 52. If you want to give this giant a try, we suggest a Hoyo de Monterrey Diadema.
Finally, we’ll talk a bit about cigar colors. If you’ve noticed, cigar wrappers come in light and dark colors, from very pale green or yellow all the way to jet black. While seven basic colors make up the cigar wrapper rainbow, many different color variations are possible. As to why there are different colors of wrappers, common reasons include processing methods, type of tobacco, and how much sunlight it received while growing. Regarding our preferences, we tend to have two we like the most.
Colorado
No, we’re not talking about the state. Instead, we are referring to the middle of the color scale for cigar wrappers, which in this case Colorado describes a wrapper that is medium-brown or light red, is full-flavored, and has a soft and subtle aroma.
Maduro
Darker than Colorado, Maduro is Spanish for “mature,” meaning it is a wrapper that is cured longer in higher heat. Providing great flavor to a cigar, this dark reddish-brown or black wrapper has a mild aroma and a sweet flavor that is very pleasing.
Well, there you have it regarding everything (or almost everything) you always wanted to know about cigar shapes, cigar sizes, and the various types of cigars. Now that your brain is full of this valuable knowledge, we suggest you head over to Premium Cigars of Georgia, pick out a great stogie, and light up.
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