Vitolas: shape, size, shade
A cigar's dimensions decide how long it burns, how cool it stays and how the blend tastes. Two numbers describe every one of them: length in inches, and ring gauge, the diameter in 64ths of an inch.
Parejos: the straight-sided cigars
Cylindrical body, flat foot, rounded cap. Nine out of ten cigars made today are parejos.
Petit Corona
The short after dinner classic. Long enough to develop flavour without asking for an hour.
Corona
The reference vitola. Most houses judge a new blend in this size first.
Robusto
The modern favourite and the right size to start with. Thick enough to stay cool, short enough to finish.
Corona Gorda
A corona with more body. A natural step up once the robusto feels familiar.
Toro
A robusto with an extra inch. The most common format in new releases.
Lonsdale
Long and slim, so the wrapper leads. It rewards a good one and exposes a poor one.
Churchill
Named after the man who smoked them daily. A whole evening in one cigar.
Double Corona
Long, slow and traditionally the connoisseur's format.
Panetela
Elegant and narrow. Burns fast and turns hot if you hurry it.
Lancero
A roller's test piece. Slim, long and unforgiving of sloppy work.
Gordo
The thick modern format. Cool, round and driven by the filler rather than the wrapper.
Figurados: the shaped cigars
Anything tapered, pointed or bulging. Harder to roll, more expensive to buy, and the shape itself changes how the smoke concentrates.
Belicoso
A short taper at the head. Concentrates the smoke with little fuss.
Torpedo
A pointed head you cut to taste. A small cut tightens and focuses the draw.
Piramide
Tapered along its whole length, so the flavour widens as the burn does.
Perfecto
Closed at both ends and fuller in the middle. Light the narrow tip patiently.
Diadema
The showpiece. Rarely made, and rarely finished in one sitting.
Also worth knowing: the culebra, three thin panetelas braided together and sold as one cigar. You untwist it and smoke one at a time.
Wrapper shades, light to dark
Colour comes from the wrapper leaf: where on the plant it grew, how long it fermented, how much sun it saw. Darker usually means sweeter and richer, not stronger.
Claro
Pale golden, shade grown. Mild, dry, cedar and hay.
Colorado Claro
Tawny brown. Gentle sweetness and easy balance.
Colorado
Reddish brown. Aromatic, rounded, medium bodied.
Colorado Maduro
Deep brick. Richer and spicier, still balanced.
Maduro
Dark oily brown. Sweet, chocolate and coffee.
Oscuro
Almost black, long fermented. Heavy and earthy.