Types of Cigar
Cigars come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, yet there are other variables to also consider when you are searching for a cigar. Understanding the different types of cigars and how each impacts the cigar smoking experience is invaluable in finding the best smoke.
A closer examination of cigar types will improve the cigar selection process. Yet several other factors that can affect how a cigar will smoke also must be included when identifying types of cigars.
As the name implies, handmade cigars are produced entirely by hand. This category includes most premium grade cigars. It is here that the finest Cuban cigars are to be found, such as the H. Upmann Magnum 54.
Also known as mass-market or “drug store” cigars, these cigars are made wholly by mechanical means. Machine-made cigars are generally less expensive than handmade cigars, using short filler tobacco and often Homogenized Tobacco Leaf or HTL binders or wrappers.
These types of cigars are crafted at a much smaller level than standard premium cigars, often by just one or two cigar rollers. These include many one-off and limited-edition smokes, as well as those rolled on the premise of retail locations.
Cigar sizes are measured simply by length and diameter or ring gauge. Size does not only affect how long a cigar will smoke, yet it can drastically affect the level of taste and complexity of a smoke. Try the 40-ring gauge Trinidad Fundadores and the 54-ring gauge Trinidad Vigia for a comparison.
This refers to the form or figure of the cigar. The majority of cigars available today are straight sided from head to foot and called Parejos. Cigars that have a distinct “figure” or shaped appearance, unlike a Parejo, are called Figurados. This category includes a broad spectrum of cigars, including Perfectos, Diademas and Torpedoes, of which the Montecristo No. 2 is a legendary example.
Cigar names help to romance the cigar experience and also to make it easier to locate a particular size or shape. These names are by no means standardized but generally prove useful when searching for the desired length and ring gauge. While some cigar manufacturers might use their own terminology, most will use universally known names to denote a particular size. The Romeo y Julieta Churchill is perhaps the most famous of all.
Pressing is a method that gives a cigar a rectangular shape and perhaps, as some aficionados suggest, a more pronounced body and taste. There are different types of pressing that will shape the cigar to varying degrees. Trunk pressing and vise pressing deliver a pronounced squared-off look. Whereas box-pressing, the most common, gives less pronounced shape to the cigar. The Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill is a great example of box-pressing.
Knowing each type of cigar will help you on your quest to find the right cigar for each occasion. From the level of production to the size and shape, you will be able to understand which cigars will be best for you. The only thing left for you to do now is to test your knowledge in the Cubans cigar store and treat yourself to a fine cigar today!