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In this post, we break down the most common cigar terminology you will encounter. You can consider this to be a cigar data dictionary.
Composition
A cigar has three parts: filler, binder and wrapper. The filler is the inner part made of tobacco leaves that are folded accordion-style by the rollers or torcedores (professional cigar rollers). As such, the majority of a cigar is made up of fillers. The binder is what keeps (or binds) the filler leaves together.
Finally, the wrapper is a beautiful and delicate tobacco leaf that is wrapped around the binder. The wrapper gives the cigar its good looks. On our website, you will find a description for each cigar of the origin of the different tobaccos that make up the filler, binder and wrapper.
Origin
This refers to the country where the cigar is manufactured. Most cigar producing countries use different tobaccos from all over the world in their blends or as binders or wrappers. A “puro” refers to a cigar that has only tobaccos from one country.
Wrapper
Frequently cigars are classified by the color of their wrapper. Each wrapper color is obtained from different leaves and curing methods. The wrapper determines much of the cigar’s character and flavor, and as such its color is often used to describe the cigar as a whole.
The different colors are:
- Double Claro: Light green wrapper also called American Market Selection or Candela, very mild flavor.
- Claro: Light tan wrapper, usually shade-grown wrappers like Connecticut Shade, mild and smooth flavor.
- Natural: Light brown to brown, also called English Market Selection, often sun-grown wrappers, fuller bodied flavor than the Claro.
- Colorado: Reddish dark brown, robust and rich flavor.
- Colorado Maduro: Dark brown, aromatic and rich medium flavor.
- Maduro: Very dark brown, usually sweet and strong flavor.
- Oscuro: The darkest maduro wrapper. It is almost black and stronger than the lighter maduro wrappers, usually from Nicaragua, Mexico, Brazil or Connecticut Broadleaf.
Size
The size of a cigar is measured in inches (length) and ring gauge (diameter=ring gauge/64th inch). Large ring gauge cigars contain more tobacco and possibly a larger combination of different types of leaves than small ring gauge cigars, so they will have a more complex flavor and produce more smoke in comparison.
The most popular sizes are: Panatela, Corona, Lonsdale, Robusto, Churchill and Double Corona. The exact sizes will vary from brand to brand. The chart below reflects an approximation.
| Name |
Length |
Ring Gauge |
| Corona |
5½ to 6 |
42 to 45 |
| Panatela |
5½ to 6½ |
34 to 38 |
| Lonsdale |
6 to 6½ |
42 to 44 |
| Churchill |
6½ to 7 |
46 to 48 |
| Robusto |
4½ to 5 |
48 to 50 |
| Toro |
6 to 6½ |
48 to 50 |
| Presidente |
7 to 8½ |
52 to 60 |
| Torpedo |
5½ to 6½ |
46 to 52 |
Shape
Cigars can be classified in two basic categories: Parejos and Figurados. Your most common cigars are what are referred to as Parejos or straight-sided cigars. Straight-sided means that, other than the slight curve at the head (the side you cut), these cigars should have a level line from end to end. The most popular among these are the Churchill, Corona, Double Corona, Lonsdale and Robusto.
Figurados are cigars with irregular sides or cigars that are very difficult to make. Some of the most popular Figurado shapes are: Belicoso, Pyramids, Torpedo, Perfecto, and Diademas.
Flavor and Strength
This is very subjective. The flavor is what smokers perceive as the taste of a particular cigar. It often depends on various factors: How old is the cigar? Is it too dry, too humid or just right? What did you eat before? What are you drinking during? Many variables can affect the tasting.
Some of the adjectives used to describe a cigar’s flavor are: leathery, peppery, woody, earthy, nutty, creamy, spicy, etc. Cigars can also be described as full (strong), medium or mild (delicate) bodied. Body refers to the strength or intensity of the smoke.
It is a matter of personal preference but veteran smokers tend to prefer full bodied or full flavored smokes. These are what I like. Likewise, new cigar smokers will prefer a cigar with a mild flavor.
Ring Gauge
Cigars come in many different shapes and sizes. The diameter of a cigar is measured in increments of 64ths on an inch which is termed its “ring gauge.” Therefore a 44 gauge Corona is 44/64th inches in diameter. Refer to our post on ring gauge sizes for more detail.
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