Cigars come in all sorts of different sizes and shapes – some have history as to their origins, while others were simply created to meet demand.  Cuban cigar shapes vary from what we can find domestically.  The names of Cuban shapes can vary and a lot of them are different from what we are familiar with even though sizes may be similar or the same. Today there are many variations and adaptations to those traditional sizes.  Here, we are going to focus on the most popular and common shapes that can be found in shops across the U.S..

Cigar shapes aren’t the same thing as a cigar size. 

CIGAR SHAPE:  A cigar shape is basically the name, or category of a cigar: Churchill, Robusto, Torpedo, etc…

CIGAR SIZE: The size of a cigar is the actual dimensions, 7 x 48, 5 x 52, 6 x 42, etc… There can be many different sizes when referring to one shape of a cigar.  Take Robustos for instance. You can find Robustos that come in all different sizes, 5×50, 4.5×52, 5.25 x 54 and on and on.

SIZE BREAKDOWN:  When you see the size or dimension of a cigar like 6 x 52, it means that the cigar is 6 inches long with a ring gauge of 52.  In some countries, like the U.S., you’ll find the length in inches, while other countries like Europe, for example, will use millimeters: 152 x 52.

RING GAUGE:  The ring gauge is just what it sounds like.  When you buy a ring (as in a piece of jewelry), they will measure your finger to get the size, which is the ring gauge. When it comes to cigars, it’s basically the same thing and just measures the thickness of any particular cigar.

TRADITION:  There are many traditional shapes.  Traditional shapes are shapes that have been around a long time with specific sizes.  A traditional Churchill shape for example has a 7 x 47 size. Today, however, there are many deviations within shapes when it comes to size.  You’ll even find some companies calling certain cigars one shape when it should traditionally be another.  Tradition has somewhat fallen to the wayside (except in Cuba) as the sizes can vary so much.  For the most part, there is a general acceptance for what can fall into the “Robusto” shape, for example.  You may find that one company calls a 5.5 x 54 cigar a Toro while others call it a Robusto.  Some cigars have sub categories for shape as well.  You may find a Short Churchill, or Short Robusto, for example.

SHAPE BREAKDOWN:

Examples of “Parejos”

PAREJOS: Parejos simply refer to cigars that have straight sides from the head to the foot, round or box-pressed.  Basically one of two categories that every shape can fall into, the other being Figurados (listed below)

“A:”  This shape was traditionally the largest cigar made with a size of 9.25 x 47.  Today there are manufacturers who produce “A” shaped cigars with different dimensions.

Double Corona: This large shaped cigar has traditionally measure between 7.5-8.5 inches with a ring gauge between 49-52. Not a hugely popular size today but there are plenty of examples that you can find.

Churchill: As anyone could guess, this shape was named after Sir Winston Churchill, as it was his favorite size and shape to smoke.  The traditional Churchill sized cigar measures in at 7 inches with a 47 ring gauge.  Today you can find “Churchill” cigars that vary in length and ring gauge.

Robusto:  An immensely popular shape that nearly every brand has.  This shape typically has the measurements of anywhere between 4.75-5.5 inches with ring gauges that range between 48-52.

Rothschild: The Rothschild cigar is more commonly just called robusto or short robusto today.  It was a shorter, fatter cigar usually 4.5 inches with a 50 ring gauge.  The name originated from the Rothschild family.  Originally made in the 1880s at the request of Leopold de Rothschild, who would order them from the Hoyo de Monterrey factory in Cuba.

Toro: The most common size for Toro cigars today is 6 inches with a ring gauge of at least 50.  You will find toro cigars with slightly different lengths, but usually they are at least 6 x 50. Traditional Toro sized cigars measure in at 5.625 (5 5/8) to 6 inches long with a ring gauge of 46.  However, those dimensions don’t really seem to be appropriate in my opinion today, since a 46 ring gauge seems too skinny to fit into this category – more appropriately it would fall into a Corona Gorda, for example.  Cigars with 47-49 ring would seem more appropriately named a Short Churchill.  The most popular Toro shaped cigars out there are right around 6 inches with a ring gauge of 50-54.

Lonsdale: This shape measure 6.5 inches with a ring gauge of 42.  An ultimate classic shape.

Corona: This shape has the traditional measurements of 5.5-6 inches in length with a ring gauge of 42-44.

Petit Corona: A miniature corona shaped cigars typically measuring in around 4.5 inches with a ring gauge between 40 and 42.

Corona Gorda: Traditionally this shape measured in at 5.625 (5 5/8) inches and has a ring gauge of 46.  You will find that there are some Corona Gorda cigars that push upwards of 6 x 50 – which is really more suitable in the toro category due to the ring gauge being 50.

Panetela:  This shape basically describes cigar that are between 5-7.5 inches with a ring gauge of 34-38.  Two of the most famous shapes that can fall into this category are the Lancero and Petite lancero listed below.

Lancero:  Traditionally this size is the Laguito #1 with a size of 7.5 x 38.  Today cigar makers have adapted and you can find examples of Lanceros that are slightly under 7 inches upwards of 8 inches with ring gauges that go up to 42.  They rarely fall under the 38 ring gauge mark, however, and more commonly found in a 40 ring gauge.

Petite Lancero: Traditionally known as Laguito #2 with a size of 6 x 38.   Most Petit Lanceros that you’ll find have kept pretty tight to the original size of 6 x 38.

Cigarillo:   Cigarillo are very small cigars, about the size of a cigarette.

Grande:  In the U.S., it all started with a 6 x 60.  This used to be considered an extremely fat cigar when it was first introduced, but today has become standard with most cigar companies producing a cigar close to or even above that ring gauge.  A 6 x 60 could fit into the Toro category or even a Toro Gordo, but in all honesty deserves its own recognition as a size commonly just known as a 6 x 60.  Excessive sizes didn’t stop there.  This category of shape contains any cigar with a ring gauge of 60 or more.  You can find cigars being produced from six to nine inches with ring gauges of 80 and beyond.  The 6 x 60 and larger cigars have been so consistent that it’s not even a trend anymore.  It’s rise in popularity was most likely people believe they are getting more for their money. There is “more tobacco” or “more cigar” that you can get for similar prices to other sizes. In my opinion though – it’s the experience you should be paying for not a perceived value.

Examples of “Figurados”

FIGURADOS:  Figurados contain a few sizes including Torpedos, Pyramides and Belicosos, Perfectos and Diadimas/Salomone, listed below. 

Pyramide:  This shape is one of the classics with the most famous example arguably being the Cuban Montecristo #2.  It’s a longer cigar that has a gradual taper going into the head of the cigar.  Traditionally it measures 6-7 inches with a ring gauge of 52-54 at the foot.

Torpedo: This shape is basically a pyramide, with the difference being a tapered head comes to a more drastic point without a rounded end.

Belicoso: Traditionally it is the shorter version of the Pyramide.  Today you will find a lot of Belicosos that are more similar to shorter Torpedos with the head tapering to at a sharper point. Nowadays you can find Belicosos in an array of different lengths resembling both Pyramides and Torpedos.

Perfecto: This shape tapers at the head and the foot of the cigar and doesn’t necessarily have a specific length or ring gauge.   They usually gradually increase in ring gauge from the foot of the cigar and begin to taper down into a smaller ring gauge in the second half with a bulge in the middle.  Some examples of these shapes only taper at the foot and head of the cigar – while others can drastically change, increasing throughout the length before decreasing in the second, or latter part of it.

Diadima/Salomone:  This shape is just an extra large cigar that tapers at both the head and the foot, usually at least with a length of 8 inches or more.

OTHER SHAPES:

Culebra:  A culebra isn’t technically it’s own shape in the same way that the others are – but should be mentioned.  There is no doubt an unmistakable coiled shape to the cigars when they are taken apart.  They are meant to be smoked separately, but the sizes can range depending on any specific manufacturer.  Traditionally, however, Culebras were made from three panetela cigars braided together. The Culebra originated in Cuba and was intended for factory workers only.  Cigar rollers were allowed to smoke cigars, however, they weren’t allowed to smoke the regular production that was going to market.  The culebra was invented to be able to tell that the workers were smoking the cigars that they were allowed to.

*Chisel: A shape made famous by Litto Gomez of La Flor Dominicana and pretty much the only brands that you will find that have it.  It is a unique shape synonymous with LFD but deserves to be mentioned.   Pressed flat on two sides of the head, which give it that “chisel” appearance.  The story goes that Litto made this shape purely on accident when sat on one of his cigars.  When he took it out of his pocket after some time driving, the head had been flattened, resembling a chisel.

BOX PRESSED:  Any shape or size cigar can be “Box Pressed.” The name comes from when cigars were packed in their boxes, with the lid pressing down on them, giving them a slight “pressed” shaped.  I like to say cigars like that are traditionally box pressed.  Today, cigar makers use different molds and methods to give drastic square or pressed appearances on purpose.

THE EXPERIENCE:  Not all shapes and sizes taste the same.  It comes down to the cigar maker. Some will blend every size that they make in one brand to taste the same while others let the size difference dictate small nuances in flavor.  Blending is not the same for all sizes. If you don’t adjust the blend of tobaccos according to shape, it won’t smoke the same.  Even still, every shape and size of a cigar will deliver smoke to the palate differently so the experience from shape to shape, size to size, will be different no matter if they blend all sizes to taste the same or not.