A Complete Guide to Figurado Cigars

Figurado cigars are a world away from the standard parejo (straight-sided) smokes. With their elegant curves, tapered ends, and often unconventional shapes, figurados are prized for their craftsmanship and complexity. But what exactly is a figurado, and why should you consider lighting one up?

Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a curious beginner, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

What Is a Figurado Cigar?

A figurado is any cigar that doesn’t follow the traditional straight-sided, cylindrical shape (known as a parejo). Instead, figurados feature irregular forms; tapered, bulged, or even twisted, requiring more skill and time to roll.

This category includes shapes like:

• Torpedo – Tapered at the head with a thicker, straight body.
• Belicoso – Similar to a torpedo but typically shorter with a more rounded head.
• Pyramid – Widens from a pointed head to a broad foot.
• Perfecto – Tapers at both ends with a bulged centre; the foot may be closed.
• Salomon – Large and elaborately shaped, often with a dramatic taper and bulbous midsection.
• Culebra – Three panetelas braided together and sold as a twisted trio.
• Diadema – An oversized, highly tapered shape, generally 8 inches or more long.

Why Smoke a Figurado?

Figurados offer more than just visual flair; they create a distinctive smoking experience. There are many reasons why cigar lovers reach for them:

Complexity and Evolving Flavours

The changing ring gauge throughout a Figurado cigar means the flavour profile evolves throughout the smoke. A wider middle section or a tapered head affects how the tobacco burns. This can result in a noticeable shift in flavours as you smoke.

Intensified Draw

The narrowing of the head in some Figurado shapes can concentrate the smoke, creating a more intense and flavorful draw.

Artistic Craftsmanship

Because of their intricate shapes, figurados require more expertise and time to roll. Smoking one is a nod to traditional cigar artistry.

Concentrated Flavour

Tapered shapes often concentrate the smoke more directly on the palate, offering a richer, more focused flavour.

Popular Figurado Formats Explained

Torpedo

• Appearance: Tapered head with a uniform body.
• Experience: The tapered tip allows for a more concentrated draw. Great for focusing flavours.
• Good For: Smokers who like bold blends with strong transitions.

Pyramid

• Appearance: Narrow head that widens gradually to the foot.
• Experience: Allows for a more open draw as it burns, creating a broader flavour spread over time.
• Good For: Fans of complex cigars that open up slowly.

Perfecto

• Appearance: Closed foot and tapered head, with a bulging centre.
• Experience: Harder to light, but develops quickly into a balanced, flavourful middle.
• Good For: Those who want a journey from start to finish with noticeable transitions.

Belicoso

• Appearance: Short, stout version of a torpedo, often with a rounded or tapered head.
• Experience: Compact but potent. A good figurado for shorter smokes.
• Good For: Quick but rich smoking sessions.

Salomon

• Appearance: Dramatic tapering and bulging with a long, luxurious build.
• Experience: A showstopper. Expect a long burn and evolving profile.
• Good For: Special occasions or extended downtime.

Are Figurado Cigars Right for You?

Try them if you:

• Appreciate craftsmanship and visual artistry.
• Enjoy cigars with evolving flavour profiles.
• Want a slower, more engaging smoke.

Avoid them if you:

• Are new to cigar smoking and want an easier light and draw.
• Prefer uniformity and simplicity.
• Don’t have time for a longer smoke.

Recommended Figurado Cigars to Try

Here are some exceptional figurados that highlight the category’s appeal.

Foundation The Tabernacle Knight Commander

Foundation Knight Commander is a limited edition addition to the Tabernacle range, available only in the 6 3/4”x52 Figurado format. The Knight Commander undergoes an extra 15 months of ageing in cedar prior to release, helping to create a complex, rich and full-bodied smoke.

Featuring a dark, oily Broadleaf wrapper from the Connecticut River Valley and a blend of the finest Nicaraguan tobaccos, the Knight Commander presents an intense blend of flavours, from bold espresso and dark chocolate to wood, leather and spice.

The size format allows for a satisfying draw and a long, leisurely smoke. This limited-edition cigar is designed for those who appreciate a full-bodied, complex profile with an array of intricate flavours that evolve throughout the smoke.

Gurkha Cellar Reserve 18 Year Old Solara

The Gurkha Cellar Reserve 18 Year Old Solara features a Corojo wrapper and 18-year-aged tobacco, providing a medium-body, full-flavour cigar. It offers a nuanced and sophisticated flavour profile, with notes of white pepper and earthiness, for a rich yet grounded smoking experience.

You can read our full review of the Gurkha Cellar Reserve 18 Year Old Solara for more tasting notes and pairing tips.

Partagas Presidente

The Partagás Presidente is a double figurado, known as the ‘taco’ vitola, and presents a unique silhouette, measuring 7 x 47. The Presidente features a dark, oily wrapper and offers a medium to full-bodied experience. There are deep earthy flavours, with hints of wood, nuts, spice and leather.

It is complex, but well-balanced, with an excellent burn and smooth draw. It offers a robust yet refined smoking experience.

Plasencia Reserva Original Perfectico

The Plasencia Reserva Original comes in a Perfecto shape, but only measures 3 7/8 x 52, making it a great choice if you’d like to sample a figurado cigar without committing to hours of smoking time!

Expertly handcrafted in Nicaragua, the cigar is wrapped in a Nicaraguan Habano leaf and filled with quality Nicaraguan tobacco. It offers a balanced and smooth profile with rich flavours of earth, wood and spice, with developing hints of cocoa and coffee. The Perfecto shape ensures that the flavour gradually evolves as it burns, providing a dynamic smoking experience.

The Plasencia Reserva Original Perfectico is medium-bodied, well-balanced and rich in flavour, making it ideal for both seasoned smokers and newbies alike.

You can read our full review of the Plasencia Reserva Original Perfectico for more tasting notes and pairing tips.

Chateau Diadem Conviction Petit Belicoso

The Chateau Diadem Conviction Petit Belicoso is another smaller-format figurado cigar, offering a luxurious smoking experience at a compact size. The Petit Belicoso measures 4 x 55 and delivers a concentrated and flavourful smoke.

It features an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper with premium Nicaraguan filler tobacco, which together provides a full-bodied smoke with a complex flavour profile. Expect bold flavours of earth, wood and spice, developing into notes of dark chocolate, leather and coffee.

Ideal for cigar enthusiasts who appreciate bold, complex flavours in a shorter format, the Chateau Diadem Conviction Petit Belicoso offers an exceptional and refined smoking experience that can be enjoyed anytime.

You can read our full review of the Chateau Diadem Conviction Petit Belicoso for more tasting notes and pairing tips.

Cohiba Piramides Extra Cigar

The Cohiba Pirámides Extra Cigar is part of the prestigious Línea Clasica collection and is the epitome of Cuban craftsmanship. It is a rare cigar, released in limited quantities each year.

The cigar is medium-full bodied, offering strong notes of smoked wood, vanilla and leather. These complex flavour notes are down to the four types of tobacco leaves used, in addition to the third fermentation process used in the creation of Cohiba cigars.

The distinct pirámides vitola measures 6 1/8″ x 52, with a tapered cap. It is perfectly balanced to provide a full-flavoured yet smooth smoking experience. It is an excellent choice for both seasoned connoisseurs and those starting their exploration into premium Cuban cigars.

Figurado cigars are for those who appreciate the artistry behind a fine smoke. They don’t just look good, they smoke differently. With evolving flavours, enhanced craftsmanship, and a unique draw, figurados offer a deeper level of engagement and enjoyment.