CIGAR FUNDAMENTALSPAREJOS - TYPES & SIZES

Parejos are straight-sided cylindrical cigars that we are familiar with. They always have an open-end - foot, where we light them and another closed-end - head, which we have to cut before smoking.

For example, the cigar on the image below will tagged as 4x38. The first number stands for its length in inches, while the second number is the width of the ring gouge

For a base benchmark size, we have always used a Corona, which is usually 5 1/2 - 6 inches by 42-44 ring gauge.

Then we have a Petit Corona, which translates to a small or a little, which comes in 4 1/2 inches by 42-44 ring.

Next, we move on to the big cigars and a good example is Churchill, named after Winson Churchill, who was a famous cigar lover. It is similar to a Corona, but it is slightly bigger. The standard size is 7 inches by 47 ring gauge.

Robusto is a small fat cigar that has become extremely popular in the United States, perfect for short time smoking sessions with a size varying from 4 3/4 - 5 1/2 and ring size between 48-52.

Toro is gaining popularity right now with traditional measurements of 5 5/8 - 6 inches by 46-50 ring gauge. Nowadays, all cigars that are 6x50 are still considered Toro.

Double Corona is an example of a gigantic cigar starting from 7 1/2 and reaching up to 8 1/2 inches with a diameter of 49-52.

Panetela is another long one, but unlike the Double Corona, it is thin and elegant. It has become a very rare type of cigar, but it can still be found in sizes 5 to 7 1/2 by 34-38 ring gauge. Often, Panatelas larger than 7 inches are referred to as Gran Panatelas.

Lonsdale is longer than a Corona but thicker than a Panatela. Getting the best of both worlds comes in a classic size of 6 1/2 x 42.

Those are the unusually shaped cigars. There are no standards for their shape and size, but a figurado must not be cylindrical. Here are the most common types among them:

Piramide or Pyramid - similar to a parejo with one end ( the foot ) closed and the other (the head ) tapered. Their length varies from 6 to 7 inches. The head has ring size is around 40, while the foot is 52-54. The tapered head makes the taste more complex, allowing flavours to bind into your mouth.

Belicoso is a short pyramid with a slightly rounded head, which is the main difference between the two. They come in 5 to 5 1/2 inches by 50 ring gauge.

Torpedo is often mistaken for a Pyramid due to its tapered head and closed foot. A torpedo can be rarely found, as often a pyramid is advertised as a torpedo, but we can recognise them by the trademark bulge in the middle.

Perfecto is a half torpedo and a half pajero, having a closed foot, but unlike a Torpedo, it has a rounded head just like a parejo. Their length can be in the range of 4 1/2 to 9 inches with a ring size of 38-48.

Diademas are huge cigars starting from 8 1/2 inches or longer. They have tapered heads but not entirely, and they can have an open foot like a parejo or closed like a perfecto. Usually, the ring gauge is 52 or greater.

Diademas are huge cigars starting from 8 1/2 inches or longer. They have tapered heads but not entirely, and they can have an open foot like a parejo or closed like a perfecto. Usually, the ring gauge is 52 or greater.

Last but not least, the Culebra with the most exotic shape of them all. It is made of 3 panatelas tied together like shoe laces. It is usually 5 or 6 inches long with 38 ring gauge. It is considered the rarest cigar, so if you see one do not think but go and buy it as you may not see another one again.