Embarking on your cigar journey can feel like entering a world filled with confusing terms and traditions. One of the first things you’ll encounter is the variety of cigar shapes and sizes, known in the cigar world as vitolas. Understanding these can enhance your smoking experience, helping you choose the perfect cigar for any occasion.
The shape and size of a cigar influence its flavor, burn time, and overall smoking experience. Here’s how:
Flavor: The ratio of wrapper to filler tobacco affects taste. Thinner cigars have a higher wrapper-to-filler ratio, often leading to a more pronounced wrapper flavor.
Burn Time: Larger cigars generally offer longer smoking sessions, while smaller ones are perfect for shorter breaks.
Draw and Burn: The construction impacts how evenly a cigar burns and how easy it is to draw smoke through it.
Let’s explore some popular cigar shapes, many of which you might find in our Burton Variety Packs:
These are the most common cigar shapes, characterized by their straight sides and open foot (the end you light).
| Cigar Shape | Cigar Size | Smoking Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Corona | Typically 5.5 inches long with a 42-ring gauge | Offers a balanced flavor and a moderate smoking time |
| Robusto | Around 5 inches long with a 50-ring gauge | Provides a rich flavor with a relatively short smoking time, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts |
| Toro | Approximately 6 inches long with a 50-ring gauge | Offers a longer smoking session than a Robusto, with a cooler draw because of its length |
| Churchill | Typically 7 inches long with a 47-ring gauge | Named after Winston Churchill, this cigar provides a lengthy, enjoyable smoking experience |
| Lonsdale | Around 6.5 inches long with a 42-ring gauge | Combines the length of a Churchill with the ring gauge of a Corona, offering a balanced smoke |
Gauge is the thickness (diameter) of a cigar, measured in 64ths of an inch.
So, a 50 gauge = 50/64 inch thick.
| Ring Gauge | Size Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 38–42 | Slim | Fast-burning, strong wrapper flavor |
| 44–50 | Standard | Balanced burn and draw |
| 52–58 | Large | Slower burn, smoother smoking |
| 60+ | Gordo/Gigante | Long-lasting, cool draw |
Thicker cigars burn slower and cooler, often resulting in a more mellow smoke. Thinner cigars burn faster and usually deliver a stronger concentration of flavor from the wrapper Basically, gauge affects both smoking time and flavor intensity, so it’s good to experiment and see what you prefer.
These cigars have shapes that deviate from the standard straight-sided Parejos and can offer unique smoking experiences.
| Cigar Shape | What It Looks Like | Smoking Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Torpedo | Features a pointed head and a closed foot | Offers a balanced flavor and a moderate smoking time |
| Pyramid | Broad foot that narrows to a pointed head | Allows for a gradual intensification of flavor as you smoke |
| Perfecto | Narrow at both ends with a bulge in the middle | Offers a complex smoking experience because of its unique shape |
Some cigars have distinctive names that correspond to specific sizes, often unique to certain brands.
| Cigar Shape | Cigar Size | Smoking Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Bully | 5 inches long with a 50-ring gauge | A robusto-sized cigar known for its rich flavor and medium strength |
| Gigante | 6 inches long with a 60-ring gauge | Offers a lengthy smoking session with a cool draw, suitable for extended relaxation |
| Gordo | Typically 6 inches long with a 60-ring gauge | Provides a substantial smoke with a full-bodied flavor, ideal for seasoned smokers |
| Magnum | Varies, often around 6 inches long with a 60-ring gauge | Delivers a long-lasting smoke with rich, complex flavors |
| 660 | 6 inches long with a 60-ring gauge | Known for its large size, offering a prolonged and satisfying smoking experience |
| Epicure | Typically a robusto-sized cigar | Smooth, approachable, and slightly shorter than a Toro |
| Rothchilde | Short and stout, usually around 4.5" x 50 | Offers a quick, flavorful smoke that delivers bold notes without the long burn time |
| Gordito | A slightly shorter version of a Gordo, often 4.5" to 5" with a thick ring gauge | Cool-burning and satisfying without taking up your whole night |
Choosing the Right Cigar Shape for You:
Start Small: Begin with a Robusto or Corona to get acquainted with cigar smoking without committing to a long session.
Experiment: Try various shapes and sizes to understand how they affect flavor and burn.
Consider Time: Choose a cigar size that matches the time you have available. Larger cigars like Churchills are great for extended periods, while smaller ones are suitable for shorter breaks.
Understanding cigar shapes is a fundamental step in your cigar-smoking journey. It not only helps you select cigars that suit your taste and available time, but also enhances your overall experience. At Burton Cigar, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you find the perfect smoke for every occasion.
What’s your favorite cigar shape? Let us know in the comments!
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