The Aficionado's Language: Formats and Strengths Explained

You have mastered the basics and understood the anatomy of a cigar. Now it's time to learn the language spoken by aficionados around the world – the language of formats, sizes, and strengths. This knowledge is your compass in the humidor; it helps you find a cigar that not only tastes good but also perfectly matches the time and mood you have set for its enjoyment.

Vitola: More Than Just a Shape

The format of a cigar is called a Vitola in technical terms. It describes the combination of length and thickness. The variety is huge, but most cigars fall into one of two main categories:

• Parejos: These are the classic, straight-shaped, cylindrical cigars. They are the most common type.
• Figurados: This is the collective term for all cigars that do not have a perfect cylindrical shape. They can be pointed, thicker in the middle, or have other irregular shapes.

The format has a huge impact on the smoking experience. It determines the smoking time, the temperature development, and how the aromas unfold during the smoke.

The most important Parejo formats

You should know these classics. The dimensions may vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the general shape remains the same.

• Corona: The traditional reference format. Elegant and balanced. (approx. 14-15 cm long)
• Petit Corona: A smaller, shorter version of the Corona. Ideal for a shorter smoking time of approx. 30 minutes.
• Robusto: Perhaps the most popular format today. Short (approx. 12-13 cm), but with a thick diameter. This ensures a cool, voluminous smoke and an intense aroma development in approx. 45-60 minutes.
• Churchill: A long, stately format, named after the famous Prime Minister. Expect a long enjoyment of 90 minutes or more here.
• Toro (or Corona Gorda): The golden mean between a Robusto and a Churchill. A very popular all-round format for approx. 60-75 minutes.
• Panetela: A long and thin format. It often offers a very concentrated taste, but can smoke hot more quickly.

Famous Figurado formats

These ornate shapes are a testament to the skill of the cigar roller.

• Torpedo: Tapers to a point at the head. This bundles the smoke and can intensify the taste.
• Pyramid: Similar to the Torpedo, but starts to widen at the foot and tapers evenly towards the tip.
• Belicoso: Basically a short Robusto or Corona with a tapered cap.
• Perfecto: A cigar that tapers at both ends and has a bulging body in the middle.

The Ring Gauge: Deciphering the Thickness

The thickness of a cigar is indicated by the ring gauge. One ring gauge is equal to 1/64 of an inch.

• A 32 ring gauge corresponds to a diameter of 12.7 mm (32/64 inch).
• A 50 ring gauge (typical for a Robusto) corresponds to a diameter of 19.8 mm (50/64 inch).
• A 64 ring gauge corresponds to a diameter of 25.4 mm, i.e. a whole inch.

What does the thickness mean for you?

• Thick cigars (e.g. Robusto, Toro): Burn slower and cooler. The smoke is more voluminous and the aromas can often unfold more complexly. They are often more "forgiving" if you draw a little too quickly.
• Thin cigars (e.g. Panetela, Petit Corona): The taste is often more concentrated and direct. However, they tend to burn hotter and can become bitter if you smoke too hastily.

Strength is not the same as taste

It is crucial to distinguish between strength and taste.

• Taste (Aroma): What you taste. Notes of coffee, chocolate, leather, earth, nuts, spices, fruits, etc. A mild cigar can be extremely complex and flavorful.
• Strength (Power): What you feel physically. This mainly refers to the nicotine content. A strong cigar can cause a slight dizziness or a "nicotine kick", especially for beginners.

The strength is determined by the blend of the filler tobaccos, especially by the proportion of strong Ligero tobacco. A dark Maduro wrapper can give a cigar sweet chocolate aromas, but if the filler consists only of mild Seco and Volado leaves, the cigar will still be mild in strength.

The usual strength levels:

• Mild: Creamy, gentle, little to no pepper. Ideal for beginners or for the morning.
• Medium-bodied: The largest and most diverse category. Offers a good balance of aroma and power. The standard for many experienced smokers.
• Full-bodied: Intense, often peppery, spicy and with a significant nicotine content. More suitable for experienced aficionados or for after a hearty meal.

With this knowledge, you are now in a position to select a cigar according to your wishes. You can decide how much time you have (length), how intense the taste should be (thickness) and how much strength you can handle.

In the final chapter of our basics series, we get down to practice: the perfect ritual of cigar enjoyment, from cutting to the last ash.