{"id":483,"date":"2022-03-30T01:00:26","date_gmt":"2022-03-30T01:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smokeinn.com\/blog\/?p=483"},"modified":"2025-03-17T13:41:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T17:41:01","slug":"cigar-shapes-colors-sizes-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smokeinn.com\/blog\/cigar-shapes-colors-sizes-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Cigar Shapes, Colors, and Sizes"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When it comes to the world of cigars, there are so many small details that can be difficult to figure out. This is true especially for newcomers to the hobby. It can seem overwhelming to walk into a humidor and see hundreds of different cigars with different wrapper shades, sizes, or cigar shapes. The size and shape of a cigar is typically referred to as a vitola. Finding the vitola that suits your cigar smoking preferences perfectly can take some trial and error, but once you find your perfect smoke, it will all be worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a Vitola?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A vitola is the name of the combined size and shape of a cigar. For example: robusto, toro, gordo, and churchill are some common vitolas that we see. Generally speaking, a robusto cigar will be five inches long and have a ring gauge of 50, which would be notated as 5×50. However, the most confusing part about vitolas, is the fact that they are not standardized across the world of cigars. Two different manufacturers could both produce two different cigars under a \u201crobusto\u201d vitola, and those two cigars will likely not be the exact same size as the other. Some manufacturers make a 5×52 robusto, some might make them a little thinner, but it depends on the cigar manufacturer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Many cigar makers will produce a torpedo cigar shape in their portfolio. A torpedo is usually toro sized, 6×52, but instead of a rounded flat cap, the cap comes to a point, like a torpedo head. The shorter relative of the torpedo is the belicoso, which is usually a shorter size cigar with a less pronounced torpedo cap. However, some companies will also use the terms interchangeably, and some will combine features of the two, like having a short cigar with a sharp and pronounced torpedo tip. You will likely come across long belicosos and short torpedoes at some point in your cigar smoking journey, so it is important to know how these terms are used.<\/span><\/p>\n

The last important feature of a cigar\u2019s vitola are the cigar shapes that the sides of the cigar take. The two terms to remember here are parejo and figurado. When you think of a typical cigar shape, you are likely thinking of a parejo. Parejo cigars have straight sides and can be either round or box-pressed. A figurado cigar is a cigar that has slanted sides or a combination of slant and straight. For example, a torpedo cigar can be considered a figurado by loose definition, but you might think of something more like a <\/span>Fuente Hemingway Short Story<\/span><\/a>, with its unique shape, as a more typical example of a figurado cigar shape. All these cigar shapes mentioned are just scratching the surface. There\u2019s plenty more unique cigar vitolas out there to try for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Impact of Ring Gauge on a Cigar<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Ring gauge can be very important not only to how your cigar feels in your hand. It also affects how your cigar tastes. Many people believe that the wrapper leaf of the cigar provides most of the flavor in a cigar. Some are skeptical of that statement. Well, regardless of where you sit, the ratio of tobacco in the blend of your cigar will make a massive difference in how it tastes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A 48 ring gauge cigar will taste and burn differently than a 60 ring gauge cigar. It is because the ratios of tobacco will be very different. A thinner cigar is impacted more by the flavor of the wrapper leaf. On the other hand, a thicker cigar will be impacted by the thicker filler tobacco.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As with all aspects of cigar, there is no one right size to go with; the ideal cigar size is completely up to the smoker. Some cigar smokers want a thin quick smoke featuring their favorite wrapper. On the other hand, some cigar smokers prefer a thicker ring gauge cigar. They prefer this so they can sit down and enjoy a nice long smoke.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Wrapper Leaves<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are a plethora of wrapper leaf varieties covering a wide spectrum of color and flavor. We will go over some of the more common types of wrapper leaves now. Moreover, we will talk about the effect those leaves have on the flavor and color of your cigar.<\/span><\/p>\n