To phrase it in mathematical terms:

     If the RING GAUGE of 64 means the diameter (girth) of a cigar is equal to 1 inch, then the ring gauge of 52 would equal 52/64 of an inch, the ring gauge of 42 would equal 42/64 of an inch, etc... This is known true.

     The LENGTH refers to the distance from point A to point B on a cigar (end to end). Point A being the head, referring to the end of the cigar which you place in your mouth. And point B being the foot, referring to the end of the cigar that you light.

     A cigar measured using the metric system is less complicated. Both ring gauge and length are measured in millimeters.

SHAPES

Parejo is the most common shape. They have a cylindrical body, straight sides, one end open (foot), and a rounded tobacco-leaf cap on the other end (head) which must be sliced off or punched before smoking.

4 ½" x 48
4 ⅞" x 50
5" x 33
5 ⅛" x 42
5 ⅝" x 35
5 ½" x 42
5 ⅝" x 46
6" x 38
6" x 50
6 ⅛" x 42
6 ½" x 42
7" x 47
7 ⅝" x 49
8" x 50
9 ¼" x 47

Cuban cigars have other names for vitolas. Click HERE for a list of the 25 most popular Havana sizes under their factory name.

     These dimensions would be what you would look for in an ideal or traditional world. But the fact is cigar makers will market their cigars as one of these shapes when in reality they are close to but not exactly what is listed above. For example, I have many Robustos in my humidor measuring 5 inches where as they are listed as 4 7/8 in the above list. Years ago these sizes were the guide to follow. However, today it is only a general guide. So don't get stuck on these sizes as concrete.

Figurados are irregularly shaped cigars usually tapered at one or both ends. Some consider these cigars of higher quality because they are more difficult to make.

Figurados include the following:

Torpedo - Like a parejo except the cap is pointed.
Pyramid - Has a wide foot and evenly narrows to a pointed cap.
Perfecto - Narrow at both ends and bulged in the middle.
Presidente/Diadema - shaped like a parejo but considered a figurado because of its enormous size and occasional closed foot similar to a perfecto.
Culebras - Three long, pointed cigars braided together.
Tuscanian - A long, tough, slim cigar thicker in the middle and tapered and open at the ends, with a very strong aroma. It is also known as a "cheroot".

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     Filler leaf consists of separate leaves folded lengthwise allowing a passageway for smoke to be drawn when a cigar is lit. The filler blend is the key to the flavor of a cigar. Three different types of leaves are normally used for the filler

     Ligero leaves from the top of the tobacco plant. They are dark and full flavored. Will mature for two years before used in cigars. Will burn slowly so it is always used in the middle of the cigar.

     Seco leaves from the middle of the tobacco plant. They are light in color and in flavor. Will mature for 18 months before used in cigars.

     Volado leaves from the bottom of the tobacco plant. They have little or no flavor, but they do have good burning qualities when used. Will mature for 9 months before use in cigars.

     Binder leaf holds the cigar together. Usually two halves of sun grown leaf from the upper part of the tobacco plant are chosen to use as binder leaves.

     Wrapper leaf is the most expensive part of the cigar. The wrapper is what you see on the outside of a cigar and determines your first impression of the cigar. GOOD wrappers have to be elastic and have no protruding veins. They are usually matured between one year and 18 months, the longer the better of course. Wrappers are differentiated by their color and names are given to designate these colors.

Double Claro – very light, slightly greenish (also called Candela, American Market Selection or jade); achieved by picking leaves before maturity and drying quickly; often grown in Connecticut.

Claro – light tan or yellowish. Indicative of shade-grown tobacco.

Colorado Claro – mid-brown; particularly associated with tobacco grown in the Dominican Republic or in Cuba.

Colorado – reddish-brown (also called Rosado or "Corojo").

Colorado Maduro – dark brown; particularly associated with Honduran or Cuba-grown tobacco.

Maduro – dark brown to very dark brown.

Oscuro – a.k.a. "Double Maduro", black, often oily in appearance; mainly grown in Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico, and Connecticut, USA.

     The darker the color the sweeter and stronger the flavor will be, and the greater the oil and sugar content of the wrapper.

TASTING NOTES:

     The vitola and the type of leaves are what determine the taste of a cigar. A general rule of thumb states the bigger the ring gauge the fuller the flavor. Also, larger gauge cigars smoke more smoothly and slowly than smaller gauge cigars. This is normally due to more ligero (and less volado) leaf used in the blend.

     A common mistake for introducing beginners to cigars is to give them a cheap cigar (one you're willing to waste if they don't like the cigar). As a former cigarette smoker, it used to drive me nuts when people who "quit" smoking would bum a cigarette, light it, take one drag, and throw it away because it tasted horrible to them now. What a waste of a cigarette! And cigarettes aren't cheap today. Cigar smokers have the same fear when giving a beginner one of their better cigars. It's logical with high-end cigars costing 10 Euros plus. That is a lot of money for someone to just try one puff and throw away.

     Also, the time of day must be taken into consideration when taste is involved. AND what you eat and drink with the cigar. Mild or small cigars are smoked in the morning or after lunch. Whereas a seasoned smoker might enjoy a nice Robusto after lunch (or even breakfast). After a heavy dinner enjoy a large full-bodied cigar such as a Double Corona or a Churchill. Smoking it before dinner tends to ruin your appetite and mess with your taste buds.

     But whatever size cigar that YOU choose to smoke or time of day that YOU smoke it is up to YOUR personal taste and what YOU can afford.

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Here are few tips about aging (maturing) your cigars:

- When a cigar ages it loses acidity and the flavors will blend together.

- If properly stored, cigars will age (or mature) and continue to ferment in cedar boxes.

- Full bodied cigars (bigger ring gauge) will tend to age better than milder cigars. - Milder cigars, those with pale wrappers, will lose their bouquet if stored too long.

- "Wrappers which are destined to age well start off oily, and get slightly darker and oilier as they mature."

     Do cigars taste better when they are aged for a few years? Really, when it comes down to it, that has to do with which cigar you are talking about. Some cigars age well and others don't. Before you invest your money, you really have to do your homework and research which ones tend to taste better when aged. Experts in the business say cigars aged 6-10 years will be at their peak. Others experts say, even when stored under ideal conditions it will lose its bouquet over the years.

     One thing for certain is an improperly stored cigar will not be as enjoyable. If you store it too dryly it will lose essential moisture and burn hot when you smoke it. This will leave an acrid taste in your mouth. Whereas on the other end of the spectrum, a damp cigar will have difficulty staying lit and also difficulty with the draw.

     So how do I properly store my cigars? An excellent question with a very complex answer. I will refer you to the experts on this one. On-line is an excellent source of knowledge at JR Cigars website with a link titled "The Ultimate Cigar Storage Manifesto". It is very comprehensive and should answer all your questions about cigar storage. Also if you understand German, another excellent website is Marc André's, "Der Humidor".

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