Are you curious to see the many types of cigars when you wander into a tobacco shop? It is pretty natural, primarily because cigar smoking is full of tradition, class, and enigma. However, as a beginner, it can be intimidating to walk into a cigar store without knowing anything. 

If you are attracted to the idea of smoking cigars but don’t know where to start, this guide will help you understand the different types, shapes, and sizes of cigars. 

If anything, choosing the right cigar means weighing out the types of tobacco used, the filler, the binder, and the wrapper, all of which influence the smoking experience.  

Cigar Shapes and Sizes

Every brand may have its own cigar shape and size, automatically differentiating between the products. While shape and size have little to do with the flavor, it is good to know which cigar size and shape is ideal for you. 

There are two basic styles of cigar shapes, which are Parejo and Figurado. Each of these two styles can be further divided into sizes.  

It is quite easy to measure cigars. In fact, there are two distinct ways of doing so. You can either measure cigars by their length in inches or by the ring gauge, which represents the diameter of the cigar. 

Parejo 

Parejo is a basic cylindrical shape. It has a flat end, with the other end rounded and capped, holding the cigar together in place. This is the most common shape of a cigar and is popular amongst many cigar smokers. 

The following table highlights the cigar sizes with respect to their Parejo shapes, in alphabetical order: 

Cigar Shape	Length (inches)	Ring Gauge (64th of an inch)
Churchill	6 ½ - 7	46 – 48
Corona	5 ½ - 6	42 – 44
Gigante	6 +	60 +
Lancero	7 – 7 ½	38 – 40
Lonsdale	6 ½	40 – 42
Panatela	5 ½ - 6	34 – 38
Petit Corona	4 ½	40 – 42
Presidente	7 – 8 ½	52 – 60
Robusto	4 ½ - 5 ½	48 – 52
Toro	6 – 6 ½	48 – 50

Figurado 

In contrast to the other basic shapes, Figurado cigars are more stylized. One end of these cigars has a pointed cap, whereas the other end bulges. 

The following table highlights the cigar sizes with respect to their Figurado shapes, in alphabetical order:

Cigar Shape	Length (inches)	Ring Gauge (64th of an inch)
Belicoso	5 – 5 ½	48 – 50
Culebra	5 – 6	36 – 38
Diadema	8 ½	40 – 52
Perfecto	4 ½ - 9	38 – 48
Pyramid	6 – 7	40 – 52
Torpedo	5 ½ - 6	34 – 38

Cigar Strength 

Many people associate a cigar’s strength with its size and shape. However, this is incorrect. In reality, it is important to know that a cigar’s strength has absolutely nothing to do with its shape and size. 

Instead, the strength of a cigar is classified by the tobacco it is rolled with, along with its tendency to burn. 

There are three classifications for its strength, which are: mild, medium, and bold. For example, mild cigars have little tobacco content, whereas bold cigars have tobacco in larger quantities. Similarly, thin cigars can burn hotter than their thicker counterparts, making them have little strength once compared. 

So, when you’re opting for a cigar, be sure to remember this classification, as it can greatly alter your smoking experience. 

Cigar Wrapping Leaves 

While you might find the outermost leaves that wrap the cigar quite fancy, they aren’t just for looks. Instead, they serve a purpose! The cigar wrapping leaves contribute majorly to its flavor. 

If you’re a beginner still exploring new facts about cigars, it will be easier to understand the purpose of the leaves by associating them to the cigar’s flavor. Generally, the darker the leaves wrapped around the cigar, the sweeter the taste of the cigar. Consequently, the lighter the leaves around the cigar, the richer the flavor. 

However, this does not always stand true. There are over 100 manufacturer-identified shades of cigar leaves, each associated with a different flavor and taste. 

Although it is not possible to distinguish each and every color’s flavor due to a variety of cigar brands available in the market, the following wrapping colors are popular and may give you a good starting point to try out new flavors within your comfort zone: 

Light: Candela

Tinted in light green hues, Candela is one of the lightest cigar wrapping leaves found in the market. Naturally, it has the sweetest taste and is recommended for beginners looking to replace their cigarettes with cigars without an overwhelming switch. It is created through a quick-drying process, where heat is used to lock in the green chlorophyll released by tobacco. 

Light: Claro 

Claro is next in the color spectrum towards darker tones. It is a light tan color, having a sweeter flavor than the conventional cigar. As a result, the filler tobacco often overpowers the taste of the cigar. Unfortunately, Claro is the least used cigar wrapper. The majority of the time, this shade is achieved by growing the leaves in the shade under cheesecloth tents. 

Light-Medium: Colorado Claro 

Most people prefer using Colorado Claro over the lighter shades, precisely due to the hint of a slightly richer flavor. This flavor is achieved by growing the cigar leaves under direct sunlight, giving them more time to mature. The tones of Colorado Claro can be described as light reddish-brown. 

Medium: Colorado 

Being in the middle of the color scale, Colorado has a medium brown shade, tinted more towards red. It is one of the most popular cigar wrappers on the market. Colorado has an extremely balanced taste, with both sweet and rich flavor nodes; however, it has a subtle aroma. 

Medium-Dark: Colorado Maduro

The Colorado Maduro falls right between the medium and dark color tones, which means that it has a stronger flavor than its predecessor but a relatively smoother aroma than its successor. It is recommended for those that are looking to switch up their cigar flavor profile.

Dark: Maduro 

Almost black, with hints of deep red-brown hues, the Maduro is one of the most popular cigar wrappers. It not only has a significantly rich flavor but is known for its mild aroma, almost filling the room with the admirable smell of cigars. To achieve these distinct qualities, Maduro leaves are either fermented longer in high heat or are toasted. 

Dark: Oscuro 

The darkest tone and richest flavor of cigars are found in the Oscuro wrapper leaves. These are left to ferment for the longest of time with a lot of care to ensure that they are able to reach their rough texture for maximum flavor. Those that are regular cigar smokers often find Oscuro to be their number one cigar wrapper choice. 

The Best Cigars in 2022

Need some help picking out the best cigars in the market? We’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most popular cigars being consumed around the world right now: 

• Davidoff White Label Short Perfecto 
• Illusione Epernay 
• Nat Sherman Sterling Series 
• Foundation Highclere Castle 
• Tatuaje Tattoo Series 
• Camacho BG Meyer Gigantes
• Padron 1926 Series 
• Ashton Estate Sun Grown 
• Arturo Fuente Anejo 
• Padron Series 3000 Maduro 

Difference Between Cigars and Cigarettes

How are cigars and cigarettes different if both the smoking mediums contain tobacco? If you’re a beginner cigar enthusiast looking into the various aspects of cigar smoking, you might be shocked to know that there is little to no distinction between the two. 

According to SRNT, cigar smoking is associated with class, fancy clubs, and top celebrities whereas cigarette smoking is often perceived to be more dangerous. Nonetheless, both the smoking mediums are prone to causing lung diseases, especially if consumed in larger quantities. 

Cigars vs. Cigarettes: 

Below are a few differences between cigar smoking and cigarette smoking:

• Cigars are wrapped in a tobacco leaf containing tobacco. In contrast, cigarettes are wrapped in paper that does not contain tobacco. 
• Cigars contain more tobacco than cigarettes, having about 100-200 mg of nicotine in comparison to 8mg of nicotine found in cigarettes. 
• Cigars are bigger and thicker than cigarettes, lasting longer.
• Cigars are unfiltered. Cigarettes have filtered ends. 
• Cigar smoke is typically left in the mouth. In comparison, cigarette smoke is inhaled all the way to the lungs.