Cigar 101
Welcome to Executive Cigar Shop & Lounge's Cigar 101! For anyone curious, inexperienced, or wanting to refresh their knowledge base, we've compiled some basic cigar smoking facts and tips. They won't exactly make you an aficionado, but will at least give you the confidence to engage in casual conversation and a foundation to build your personal expertise upon.
Just click on the different subjects below that you are interested in to expand them and expand your familiarity with the wonderful culture of cigar smoking!
Cigars: Head to Foot
First off, it is important to understand which end of the cigar is which. The end that is typically closed is the "head", sometimes referred to as the top. This is the end you smoke from. The opposite end, which is usually open, is called the "foot", or the bottom. This, obviously, is the end you light.
On the head there is what is called the "cap". This is an extra bit of wrapper placed on the cigar during the rolling process. It serves several purposes, such as helping to hold the wrapper together and to seal in the flavor and moisture of the tobacco.
There are three basic components to the cigar's structure. The first is the "filler". The filler is typically composed of 2-4 types of tobacco, creating the base of the cigar's flavor. Next is what is known as the "binder". This is a somewhat elastic leaf of tobacco used to hold the filler in place and create the cigar's form once rolled. Finally, there is the "wrapper". The wrapper is a visually-appealing and very elastic tobacco leaf which gives the cigar its distinct appearance.
All three elements (the filler, binder, and wrapper) play an important part in the cigar's over-all flavor, strength, and how it smokes. So, when trying different cigars, make note of all three elements if possible so you can begin to understand what you like about each and it will help you hone in on what is commonly referred to as one's favorite "go-to" cigar.
Wrappers
- Double Claro
- Also known as "American Market Selection" (AMS) or "Candela", this is a green wrapper.
- Claro
- This is a very light tan color, almost beige in shade; usually from Connecticut.
- Colorado Claro
- A medium brown found on many cigars, this category covers many descriptions. The most popular are "Natural", or "English Market Selection" (EMS). Tobaccos in this shade are grown in many different countries.
- Colorado
- This shade is instantly recognizable by the obvious reddish tint.
- Colorado Maduro
- Darker than Colorado Claro in shade, this color is often associated with African tobacco, such as wrappers from Cameroon, or with Havana Seed tobacco grown in Honduras.
- Maduro
- Very dark brown or black; this category also includes the deep black "Oscuro" shade. Tobacco for Maduro wrappers is grown in Connecticut, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Brazil.
Cigar Types
Cigars are like people, each one is unique in many ways. Some of the differences can be subtle, while some extreme. Trying to quantify cigars into specific types is rather difficult because even though two cigars may fit into the same general type, they can still be vastly different. However, by understanding the different ingredients, regions, methods, techniques, shapes, and sizes can help you greatly in your quest for your perfect cigar.
Flavor & Strength- Mild
- Medium
- Medium-Full
- Full
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Honduras/Nicaragua
- Mexico
- USA (Connecticut)
- Central African Republic (Cameroon)
- Indonesia
Shapes & Sizes
- Belvedere, Ascot, Demitasse
- Approximately 3-5 inches long with a ring gauge between 30-36 (~½ inch). Smoking time 15-20 minutes.
- Petite Corona
- Approximately 4½-5 inches long and a ring gauge between 40-42 (~6/10 inch). Smoking time 25 minutes.
- Robusto or Rothschild
- Approximately 4½ inches in length and a ring gauge of about 48 (~¾ inch). Smoking time 25-40 minutes.
- Corona
- Approximately 5½ inches long and a ring gauge of 42 (~7/10 inch). Smoking time 30-45 minutes.
- Corona Extra or Corona Royale
- bout 5¾ inches long and a ring gauge between 44-46 (~7/10 inch). Smoking time 40 minutes.
- Panatela
- Approximately 6-6½ inches long with a ring gauge between 34-39 (~½ inch). Smoking time 35-45 minutes.
- Lonsdale
- Approximately 6 inches long and a ring gauge of about 43 (~7/10 inch). Smoking time 45-50 minutes.
- Corona Grandes
- Approximately 6-6½ inches long and a ring gauge between 44-46 (~7/10 inch). Smoking time 45 minutes.
- Churchill
- Approximately 7 inches long with a ring gauge of 47-48 (~¾ inch). Smoking time 45-60 minutes.
- Double Corona, Long Pamatela
- Approximately 7½-8 inches long and a ring gauge of 49-52 (~8/10 inch). Smoking time 45-60 minutes.
- Gigante, Presidente, or Immensa
- Approximately 8½ inches long and a ring gauge of 52 (~8/10 inch). Smoking time 60-90 minutes.
- Belicoso
- Approximately 6 inches long and a ring gauge of 48 (~¾ inch) with a pointed cone shaped head.
- Petite Belicoso
- Approximately 5 inches long and a ring gauge of 40 (~6/10 inch) with a pointed cone shaped head.
- Pyramid
- Approximately 6-7 inches long and tapers down from a ring gauge of 52 (~8/10 inch) at the foot and 42 (~7/10 inch) at the head with a pointed, cone shaped head. Smoking time 45-60 minutes.
- Torpedo
- Varies in length and ring gauge. Has a pointed cone shaped head, bulge in the body, and a relatively flat foot.
- Culebra
- Three cigars each 5-6 inches long with a ring gauge of 34 (~½ inch) that are intertwined. The cigars have to be unwound to be smoked. In order to avoid breakage, cigars must be very well humidified.
Cigar sizes are usually listed in an abbreviated form:
(Length, IN) X (Ring Gauge, 1/64 IN)
So, for example, a Churchill may be listed like so: 7x48. This means the cigar is
7 inches long with a ring gauge (diameter) of 48/64th of an inch.
