Cigars are generally classified by their shape and size. These two combined are known as vitola.
Two factors determine the size of the cigar, the ring gauge and the length. The ring gauge is the diameter sixty-forths of an inch and the length is measured in inches.
The common shape of the cigar is called parejo. The following are the term sizes related to parejo:
- Coronas
- Rothschilds (4 1/2″ x 50) after the Rothschild family
- Robusto (4 7/8″ x 50)
- Hermosos No. 4 (5″ x 48)
- Mareva/Petit Corona (5 1/8″ x 42)
- Corona (5 1/2″ x 42)
- Corona Gorda (5 5/8″ x 46)
- Toro (6″ x 50)
- Corona Grande (6 1/8″ x 42)
- Cervantes/Lonsdale (6 1/2″ x 42), named for Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale
- Dalia (6 3/4″ x 43)
- Julieta, also known as Churchill (7″ x 47), named for Winston Churchill
- Prominente/Double Corona (7 5/8″ x 49)
- Presidente (8″ x 50)
- Gran Corona (”A”) (9 1/4″ x 47)
- Panatelas – longer and generally thinner than Coronas
- Small Panatela (5″ x 33)
- Carlota (5 5/8″ x 35)
- Short Panatela (5″ x 38)
- Slim Panatela (6″ x 34)
- Panatela (6″ x 38)
- Deliciados/Laguito No. 1 (7 1/4″ x 38)
Figurado is the term used for irregularly-shaped cigars. They’re sometimes considered higher quality because they are more difficult to make.
Figurados include the following:
- Torpedo – Like a parejo except that the cap is pointed.
- Pyramid – Has a broad foot and evenly narrows to a pointed cap.
- Perfecto – Narrow at both ends and bulged in the middle.
- Presidente/Diadema – shaped like a parejo but considered a figurado because of its enormous size and occasional closed foot akin to a perfecto.
- Culebras – Three long, pointed cigars braided together.
- Tuscanian – The typical Italian cigar, created in the early nineteenth century when Kentucky tobacco was hybridized with local varieties and used to create a long, tough, slim cigar thicker in the middle and tapered at the ends, with a very strong aroma. It is also known as a cheroot, which is the largest selling cigar shape in the United States.
