Smoking a cigar brings pleasure, but there's more to appreciate beyond the smoke. The size, shape, and shade of a cigar offer clues about its origin, flavor, and burn characteristics.
With the variety of cigar shapes and sizes available, it can be daunting to choose the right one, especially for beginners. Even seasoned aficionados might stick to their favorite fine cigars without exploring new options. To help you navigate, we've put together a guide on cigar shapes and sizes so you can find one that suits your taste.
Does Cigar Shape Matter?
What is a Vitola?
The term "vitola" refers to the size and shape of a cigar. Names like Corona, Churchill, and Lonsdale are examples of vitola names. Each vitola consists of a length (in inches) and a ring gauge (the diameter in 64ths of an inch). For instance, a cigar with a 38 ring gauge is 38/64 of an inch in diameter.
Why Use a Vitola?
While you might have a preferred cigar brand, the shape of the cigar, or vitola, is equally important. Brands typically don’t make one-size-fits-all cigars; the vitola defines the size, not the brand. Each vitola has consistent length, ring gauge, and shape, allowing you to identify the size by name alone.
Does Cigar Size Matter?
The size of a cigar influences its smoking experience. However, size doesn’t determine strength; that depends on the tobacco used. Thinner cigars burn hotter and faster, while thicker and longer cigars burn slower and cooler, providing a longer smoking session.
You can select a vitola based on how much time you have—small and thin cigars for quick breaks, thicker and longer cigars for leisurely afternoons.
Cigar Shapes
Cigars generally fall into two categories: parejos and figurados.
Parejos are the standard cylindrical cigars with straight sides and an open foot ready for lighting. They usually need to be cut before smoking. Parejos can be round or box-pressed, where the sides are pressed square before packaging.
Figurados are creatively shaped cigars that deviate from the cylindrical norm. They include shapes like the torpedo with a pointed cap and the perfecto with a bulge in the middle. These shapes are less common but growing in popularity.
Parejos
Parejos are straight-sided cigars that need to be cut before smoking. These cigars come in either round or box-pressed forms. There are several key types of Parejos cigars:
Entreactos: 4 inches, ring gauge 30
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR EMERALD PLATINUM ENTREACTOS Ø30 x 4’’ (Ø12 x 102 mm)
Carlota: 5 5/8 inches, ring gauge 35
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR RUBY PLATINUM CARLOTA Ø35 x 5 5/8’’ (Ø14 x 143 mm)
Panatela: 5 to 7 1/2 inches, ring gauge 34 to 38
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR RUBY GOLD PANATELA Ø38 x 5” (Ø15 x 127 mm)
Lonsdale: 6 1/2 to 6.5 inches, ring gauge 42-44
Longer than a Corona yet thicker than a Panetela, it's perfect for those seeking extended smoke time without sacrificing the slender profile.
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR EMERALD GOLD LONDSDALE Ø43 x 6 1/4’’ (Ø17 x 159 mm)
Corona: 5 1/8 to 6 inches, ring gauge 42 to 44
The standard cigar shape and size, often used as a benchmark for measuring other cigars.
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR PLATINUM CORONA Ø42 х 5 1/8” (Ø16.5 х 130 mm)
Double Corona: 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 inches, ring gauge 49 to 52
Similar in shape to a standard Corona, but nearly twice the length!
Petit Corona: About 4 1/2 inches, ring gauge 40 to 42
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR PLATINUM PETIT CORONA Ø40 x 4” (Ø16 x 102 mm)
Half Corona (Short Corona): 3 1/2 to 4 inches, ring gauge 40 to 44
Half Corona size cigars are an ideal choice for aficionados seeking a brief yet enriching smoking experience. These cigars offer a compact session without sacrificing depth of flavor or quality. Originating from the traditional Corona size, which serves as a benchmark in the cigar industry, Half Coronas retain the same diameter but are half the length, making them perfect for those moments when time is limited.
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR GOLD HALF CORONA Ø44 x 3 1/2” (Ø17.5 x 90 mm)
Toro (Corona Gorda): 5 1/2 to 6 inches, ring gauge 46-50
This is the mid-size format for Cuban cigars and suits all blends and strengths. Known as the Corona Gorda, or Toro, this is a wider version of the Corona. Corona Gordas typically take around an hour to smoke.
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR TORO Ø46 x 5 5/8” (Ø18.5 x 143 mm)
Churchill: 6-7 inches, ring gauge 47-50
The Churchill: Named after Sir Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister and cigar aficionado, who famously smoked around 300,000 of these cigars in his lifetime. Longer and thicker than a Corona, perfect for leisurely enjoyment.
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR BLACK PLATINUM ROBUSTO Ø50 x 6” (Ø20 x 153 mm)
Petit Churchills (Rothschild): 4 1/2 inches, ring gauge 47 to 50
The cigar was short, 4 ½ inches long, with a large ring gauge of 48-50. It was originally made in the 1880s by the Hoyo de Monterrey factory in Cuba at the request of Leopold de Rothschild (1845-1917), a scion of the legendary German banking family.
ZAVEN BY G.P.GRANT CIGAR SAPPHIRE GOLD PETIT CHURCHILLS BOX PRESSED
Ø48 x 4 1/2” (Ø19 x 102 mm)
Robusto: 4 3/4 to 5 1/2 inches, ring gauge 48 to 54
The Robusto: Short and stout, this cigar has surged in popularity. While it demands time to savor, it's less daunting than larger options. Ideal for beginners seeking to relish the true essence of a blend.
