Guide to Cigar Shapes and Sizes

Cigar aficionados will have a pretty good idea about what size cigar they like smoking, but for novice smokers, all of the different vitola names can prove a little confusing. We’ve put together a handy guide to help you understand the difference between each.

What is a Vitola?

The term vitola is used in the cigar industry to refer to the size and shape of a cigar. Corona, Churchill and Lonsdale are all examples of vitola names.

Each vitola is made up of a length in inches and a ring gauge; the diameter in 64ths of an inch. A cigar with a 38 ring gauge, for example, is 38/64 of an inch in diameter.

Why Use a Vitola?

While you may have a brand of cigar in mind that you would like to try, it is equally important to consider the shape of the stick.

Typically, brands do not have a one-size-fits-all with their cigar choices, as the vitola determines the size rather than the brand itself.

Each vitola has a very similar length, ring gauge and shape, so you will know what size the cigar is by its name alone. For example, the Montecristo No 3, the Davidoff Chateau Latour and the Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Roi are all Coronas.

Does Cigar Size Matter?

However, this does not mean that every Corona, for example, will taste the same. The strength and flavour of a cigar is all down to the tobacco used, so even if you have a pretty hefty sized stogie, if it uses mild tobacco, it will be a mild smoke.

The only way the size matters is how hot and fast it burns, as thin cigars are more likely to burn hotter and faster. Thicker and longer cigars will naturally take longer to burn, so you’ll be setting yourself up for a smoke duration of an hour or more.

You can pick a vitola of cigar that suits the time frame you have – small and thin cigars for a quicker smoke break, thicker and longer cigars for a more relaxing cigar afternoon!

Parejos vs Figurados

There are two main types of cigar shapes; parejos and figurados. Parejos have straight sides and typically have an open foot ready for lighting. Usually, they need to be cut before you can smoke them. Figurados tend to be rarer, yet these creative cigar shapes are growing in popularity. Basically, figurados are any shape that is not a standard cylindrical straight-sided cigar!

Corona

Corona’s are essentially the standard cigar size, and so are fairly common. Corona’s act as a benchmark for other cigar sizes.

Traditionally a Corona will measure around 5 ½-inches long and will have a ring gauge between 42 and 44.  An example of a Corona cigar is the Montecristo No 3. 

Petit Corona

Also known as a Mareva, the Petit Corona is, as the name may suggest, a smaller version of the Corona.

They tend to measure around 4 ½-inches, with a ring gauge of 40 to 42.  An example of a Petit Corona is the Montecristo No 4. 

Churchill

A Churchill is larger than the Corona, with a length of 7-inches and a 47 ring gauge.

Its namesake is former Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, who had a penchant for such cigars, having smoked approximately 300,000 similar cigars in his lifetime. 

An example of a Churchill cigar is the Romeo y Julieta Churchill.

Robusto

Robusto’s are one of the most popular sizes of cigars these days, particularly in America.

They tend to have a fairly chunky ring gauge, of around 50 to 54, especially in comparison to their 5-inch length.  An example of a Robusto cigar is a Cohiba Robusto. 

Double Corona

The Double Corona is a similar shape type to a standard Corona, only almost double the length!

They can be as long as 8 ½-inches long with a ring gauge between 49 and 52, making it a pretty big stogie! An example of a Double Corona is the Punch Double Coronas Cigar.

Lonsdale

The Lonsdale is a little longer than a Corona, with a 6 ½-inch length and a 42 ring gauge.  An example of a Lonsdale cigar is the Montecristo No 1. 

Piramide

One of the most popular figurado sizes, the Piramide features a tapered point at the head of the cigar. However, like a parejos, this stick has a cut foot.

Piramide cigars usually measure around 6 to 7 inches and have a ring gauge of 40 at the tapered end, and a wider 54 gauge at the foot.  

An example of a Piramide cigar is the Partagas Series P No.2 Cigar.

Perfecto

The Perfecto features a rounded head and closed foot, similar to a parejos, yet has a distinctive bulge in the middle, as opposed to straight sides.

Unlike the other vitola sizes, Perfecto’s can vary greatly in length; from the more compact 4 ½-inch to the impressive 9-inch cigars. As such the ring gauges fluctuate too, ranging from 38 to 48!   

An example of a Perfecto cigar is the ​​Ashton VSG Virgin Sun Grown Enchantment Cigar.

The Complete Guide to Cigar Smoking by Havana House

For more information on buying Cuban cigars, tips on smoking, and making your cigar as enjoyable as possible, take a look at our complete guide to cigar smoking!

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