Panatela -
Sub-category of Parejos cigars that are usually longer and thinner
than a common Corona.
Puro Robusto -
Spanish term to distinguish a cigar from a cigarette.
Modern usage refers to a blend of tobaccos from a single country.
Ring Gauge -
A measurement for the diameter of a cigar, based on increments
of one 64ths of an inch. The larger the gauge, the larger the
girth of the cigar.
Robusto - A
short and thick Corona.
Seco -
Spanish word for “dry,” seco is a type of filler tobacco. Often contributing
aroma and is usually medium bodied.
Shade-Grown -
Wrapper leaves grown under a cheesecloth tent, called a tapado.
Filtered sunlight creates a thinner, and more elastic leaf.
Shapes - Although there are many variations, there are two basic cigar shapes: Parejos (cigars with straight sides) and Figurados (cigars of irregular shape). Parejos are further divided into three sub-categories: Coronas, Panetelas, and Lonsdales. Figurados are further divided into four subcategories: Belicosos, Pyramids, Perfectos, and Diademas.
Uncommon Cigar Shapes
Belicoso - about 6 inches long and a ring gauge of 48 (~3/4 inch) with a pointed cone shaped head.
Petite Belicoso - about 5 inches long and a ring gauge of 40 (~6/10
inch) with a pointed cone shaped head.
Pyramid - about 6 to 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 to 6 inches long with a ring gauge of
34 (~1/2 inch) that are intertwined. The cigars have to be unwound to
be smoked. In order to avoid breakage, cigars must be very well humidified.
Sizes
Belvedere,
Ascot, Demitasse – about
3 to 5 inches long with a ring gauge between 30 and 36 (~1/2 inch). Smoking
time 15-20 minutes.
Petite Corona – about 4 1/2 to 5 inches long and
a ring gauge between 40 and 42 (~6/10 inch). Smoking time 25 minutes.
Robusto or
Rothschild – about 4 1/2 inches in length
and a ring gauge of about 48 (~3/4 inch). Smoking time 25-40 minutes.
Corona – about 5 1/2 inches
long and a ring gauge of 42 (~7/10 inch). Smoking time 30-45 minutes.
Corona Extra
or Corona Royale - about 5 3/4 inches long and a ring gauge
between 44 and 46 (~7/10 inch). Smoking time 40 minutes.
Panatela – about 6 to 6 1/2 inches long with a ring
gauge between 34 and 39 (~1/2 inch). Smoking time 35-45 minutes.
Lonsdale - about 6 inches long and a ring gauge of about 43 (~7/10 inch).
Smoking time 45-50 minutes.
Corona Grandes - about 6 to 6 ½ inches long and
a ring gauge between 44 and 46 (~7/10 inch). Smoking time 45 minutes.
Churchill - about 7 inches long with a ring gauge of 47 to 48 (~3/4 inch).
Smoking time 45-60 minutes.
Double Corona,
Long Pamatela - about 7 1/2 to 8 inches long and a ring
gauge of 49 to 52 (~8/10 inch). Smoking time 45-60 minutes.
Gigante, Presidente,
or Immensa - about 8 1/2 inches long and a ring gauge
of 52 (~8/10 inch). Smoking time 60-90 minutes.
Smoking time -
The smoking time for a cigar is based upon the size of the cigar
and therefore how much tobacco is available for
smoking. A 5-inch
cigar with a 50 ring gauge, such as a rubusto, should provide anywhere
from 20 to 30 minutes of smoking enjoyment. A 7-½ inch cigar with
a 50 ring gauge, such as a Churchill or double-corona may give
over an hour’s
worth of smoking enjoyment. More information is available under
"shapes."
Spanish Market
Selection - The manufacturers term for an all natural wrapper.
Sun Grown -
tobacco grown in direct sunlight, which creates a thicker leaf
with thicker veins. Usually picked on as a poor quality wrapper
but can be quality filler or binder leaves.
Sun-Grown EMS -
A Colorado wrapper that is natural.
Torpedo -
Uncommon cigar shape and size. Varies in length and ring gauge.
Has a
pointed cone shaped head, bulge in the body, and a relatively
flat foot. Has become more popular in recent years.
