Understanding Cigar Shapes and Sizes

Cigars come in different shapes and sizes. Every cigar smoker has their favorite, and so should you. But you have to know the shapes and sizes before you can talk about picking what you like most. As we often say, the best cigar is one that satisfies your taste and fancy. This is the reason why many people love Black and Mild cigars.

You should know that your choice will have price implications as the cigar you choose will have its uniqueness and cost.

Cigar Shapes and Sizes

The shapes and sizes help to categorize cigars. If you do not adequately understand the shapes and sizes, it can lead to confusion. You have heard of such terms as Corona and Panatela, but what do they mean?

These terms, if you don’t know, you are likely to think of them as brand names, but they are not! It means you can find Corona or panatela from any brand because they indicate the category of cigars of specified length and width sizes.

Without much ado, let’s talk about cigar sizes and shapes.

Overview of Cigar Shapes and Sizes

The shapes and sizes of cigars vary from brand to brand. You need to know the size and shape you want to choose the best cigar for you. While the brands use shapes and sizes, it is regrettable that these essential features are not standardized across brands. Each brand has its definition and interpretation of shapes and sizes, which makes it more confusing for newbie cigar smokers. Newbies prefer to have black and mild cigars because of their shape and size.

Cigar shapes

There are broadly two shapes in cigars called Parejo and Figurado. Parejo has three subsets called Parejo, Box pressed, and Culebra. As for Figurado, the subsets are Torpedo, Belicoso, Piramide, Perfecto, and Chisel. The shapes discussed above are specific; we will talk about the family of shapes next.

Family of shapes

As you can see, two broad Shapes in a cigar exist, but contained in each shape are a variety of other shapes that make up each family of Shapes.

Parejo shapes

Generally, Parejo is a specific cigar shape and also is a family name of shapes. These are the most common shape that you can find that are straight with a slightly domed head and flathead. The parejo family consists of the following shapes.

1. Parejo

A parejo cigar is any cigar that has perfectly straight sides with a cylindrical shape, topped by a rounded head.

2. Box pressed

Box-pressed cigars were initially introduced as a way of saving money. Instead of spacing out regular Parejo cigars in a box, they were pressed and crammed into a smaller one so more could be transported.
As a result, the cigars developed a square shape under pressure. However, by being tightly packed, the cigars would actually burn longer and provide a consistent flavor.

3. Culebra

 
The unusual cigar features three individual cigars size braided together in a pretzel shape. Culebra means “snake” in Spanish. You are, of course, expected to separate the cigars before smoking them.

Figurado shapes

As you may have noticed, there isn’t a single type of Figurado cigar. There are different ways a Figurado can be shaped. As mentioned above, the term itself refers to any cigar that doesn’t feature the more classic Parejo shape. The figurado shape family is:

1. Torpedo

Sometimes, it relates to all Figurado cigars; Torpedoes have their specific shape. Typically, they feature a sloping and tapered head that curves into a point.

2. Belicoso

This is a figurado-shaped cigar that tapers sharply at the head. The term refers to any cigar that tapers at the head.

3. Piramide

Usually referred to as “Pyramids” in English, Pirámide is tapered down the body. This makes them thicker at the foot than at the base of the head. Otherwise, they feature a cap very similar to a Torpedo.

4. Perfecto

An entire family within itself, Perfecto cigars, has its variations. Generally, a Perfecto cigar has two tapered ends on both the head and foot.

5. Chisel

It describes the distinctive shape of the cigar, which is a flattened figurado with a head that looks like a hand tool or the mouthpiece of a woodwind instrument.

Cigar sizes

While cigar shapes are limited to a few types, the sizes are many. Different markets have cigar sizes peculiar to them. In Cuba, the metric measurement applies using millimeters or centimeters; other countries measure in inches. Thus, we have imperial and metric styles of cigar sizes.

Types of cigar sizes

Cigar sizes are categorized in 12 different sizes, from smallest to largest, as follows:

• Petit Corona (imperial is 4.5×42 inches, metric is 114×17 mm)
• Gordito (imperial is 4.5×60 inches, metric is 114×24 mm)
• Robusto (imperial is 5×50 inches, metric is 127×20 mm)
• Corona (imperial is 5.25×44 inches, metric is13317 mm)
• Toro (imperial is 6×50 inches, metric is 152×20 mm)
• Gordo (imperial is 6×60 inches, metric is 152×24 mm)
• Panatela (imperial is 6×34 inches, metric is 152×14 mm)
• Lonsdale (imperial is 6.5×42 inches, metric is 165×16 mm)
• Churchill (imperial is 7×48 inches, metric is 179×19 mm)
• Lancero (imperial is 7.5×38 inches, metric is 190×15 mm)
• Double Corona (imperial is 7.5×50 inches, metric is 190×20 mm)
• Gran Corona (imperial is 9.25×47 inches, metric is 235×19 mm)

The above list is a generalization of different cigar dimensions and sizes of a cigar; there could be differences among brands as you come across different ones.

What size cigar should you choose?

The size of the cigar to choose depends on your time or ideally should be based on your smoke. Smokers with ample time should pick a cigar that is longer so they can enjoy more time smoking. If you have a few minutes to smoke, a smaller cigar size could be best.

Buy your cigar at Windy City Cigar

Windy City Cigar has different shapes, sizes, and brands of cigars suitable for different occasions. We cater to the need of every smoker, and you are guaranteed an abundant supply of high-quality cigars and accessories you will ever need.