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Cigar Shapes

Cigar 101 Main

Cigar Shapes Explained

Cigar shapes and sizes play an important role in the overall smoking experience. In the premium cigar industry, a cigar's format is commonly referred to as its vitola, which describes its shape and dimensions. While many traditional size names have been used for generations, exact measurements often vary between manufacturers. Understanding the differences between cigar shapes can help you choose a cigar that matches your preferred smoking time, flavor profile, and overall smoking style.

Premium cigars generally fall into two primary categories: Parejos and Figurados. Whether you're browsing Thompson's collection of Premium Cigars or exploring a specific cigar size, understanding these formats can help you find the right cigar for any occasion.

Parejo Cigars

Parejos are the most common cigar shape available today. They feature straight sides, an open foot, and a rounded cap. Many of the most popular cigar sizes found on ThompsonCigar.com belong to the Parejo category.

Corona Cigars

Corona Cigars remain one of the most traditional formats in the premium cigar industry. Known for their balanced proportions, Coronas provide a classic smoking experience that showcases both wrapper and filler tobacco characteristics. While dimensions vary among brands, the Corona continues to serve as one of the benchmark cigar sizes.

Panatela Cigars

Panatelas are generally longer and slimmer than many traditional cigar sizes. Their narrower profile often places greater emphasis on wrapper flavor characteristics while delivering an elegant and refined smoking experience.

Lonsdale Cigars

Lonsdales bridge the gap between classic Coronas and slimmer cigar formats. Their combination of additional length and moderate ring gauge allows flavors to develop gradually while maintaining a focused profile throughout the smoke.

Robusto Cigars

Robusto Cigars are among the most popular cigar sizes available today. Their combination of moderate length and generous ring gauge creates excellent smoke production, concentrated flavor, and a smoking time that fits comfortably into most schedules.

Toro Cigars

Toro Cigars have become a favorite among modern cigar smokers because they strike a balance between smoking duration, smoke volume, and flavor complexity. Their larger dimensions often allow cigar makers to showcase the full character of a blend.

Churchill Cigars

Churchill Cigars are known for their larger format and extended smoking experience. The additional length gives blends more time to evolve, making Churchills a popular choice among smokers who enjoy a longer, more leisurely session.

Gordo Cigars

Gordo cigars feature larger ring gauges and are often selected by smokers who enjoy abundant smoke production and slower-burning formats. Their popularity has increased significantly as larger ring gauge cigars have become more common in the premium cigar market.

Lancero Cigars

Lanceros combine substantial length with a slender ring gauge. Many cigar enthusiasts gravitate toward this format because the wrapper leaf can play a more prominent role in the overall flavor profile, creating a smoking experience that differs from wider vitolas.

Figurado Cigars

Unlike Parejos, Figurados feature shapes that taper, bulge, or otherwise vary in diameter. These distinctive formats require specialized craftsmanship and are often among the most visually striking cigars in a humidor.

Belicoso Cigars

Belicoso Cigars feature a tapered head and fuller body, creating one of the most recognizable Figurado profiles.

Pyramid Cigars

Pyramid Cigars gradually taper from a broader foot to a pointed head. Their distinctive shape creates a unique presentation and can influence how flavors develop as the cigar is smoked.

Perfecto Cigars

Perfecto Cigars taper at both ends while maintaining a wider center section. This traditional format requires considerable skill to produce and remains popular among smokers who appreciate classic cigar craftsmanship.

Culebra Cigars

Culebra Cigars are among the most distinctive cigar formats available. A traditional Culebra consists of three individual cigars braided together while still pliable during production. The shape's name is derived from the Spanish word for snake, a reference to its intertwined appearance.