01 · Reading the numbers
Reading the numbers
Every cigar size, called a vitola, is written as two numbers. The first is the length in inches. The second is the ring gauge, which is the diameter measured in sixty-fourths of an inch. So a 5 by 50 cigar is five inches long and fifty sixty-fourths of an inch thick, a hair under three-quarters of an inch across.
Ring gauge changes the smoke more than length does. A wider ring holds more filler tobacco, which usually means a cooler, smoother, more complex smoke with more room for the blender to layer flavor. A thinner ring concentrates the wrapper, which often means a spicier, more wrapper-forward smoke. Neither is better. They are different experiences of the same blend.
02 · The sizes you will actually see
The sizes you will actually see
These five cover most of the wall. Times are rough and depend on how slowly you smoke.
| Size | Typical dimensions | Smoke time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petit corona | 4.5 x 42 | 30 to 40 min | A quick, focused smoke |
| Robusto | 5 x 50 | 45 to 60 min | The everyday default, most popular |
| Corona gorda / Toro | 5.5 to 6 x 50 to 52 | About 1 hour | A balanced, evolving session |
| Churchill | 7 x 47 | About 2 hours | A long, refined evening cigar |
| Toro grande / Gordo | 6 x 60 | 2 hours plus | Maximum smooth volume, slow burn |
03 · Which size to pick
Which size to pick
Pick the size by the time you have. If you have forty-five minutes after work, smoke a robusto. If you have a full evening on the porch, reach for a churchill or a toro. There is no worse feeling in cigars than lighting a two-hour churchill when you have thirty minutes, because a cigar you set down half-smoked never tastes as good when you relight it the next day.
If you are trying a new blend, buy it in a robusto first. The robusto is the size most blenders design around, so it tends to show the truest version of the cigar. Once you know you love the blend, branch into the other vitolas to see how the size changes it.