FAQ Category: Vitolas & Sizes

The piece of wrapper at the head you cut, what it does for the cigar, and why cutting too deep into it ruins the smoke.

The two great families of cigar shapes, how to tell them apart, and which one most premium cigars belong to.

How box-pressing happens, what the flat cross-section changes about the burn, and the brands that built their reputation on the style.

The figurado shape that tapers at both ends, why it is harder to roll, and what the bulge changes about the smoke.

How the trade measures cigar diameter, what changes as the ring gauge widens, and why thicker is not always better.

The historical reference vitola, why thin ring gauges show a blend more honestly, and which Coronas to seek out.

The figurado shape with a pointed head, what the taper does to the smoke, and how to cut one properly.

The vitola that became the modern industry default, why it succeeded, and what to expect when you light one.

The long-format vitola named for a famous smoker, what makes it distinct from a Robusto, and when it earns the time it takes.

The word that names the shape and size of a cigar, and why the same blend in two vitolas can taste like two different cigars.