How to Pick a Cigar: A Complete Guide

It’s important to know how to pick a cigar you will enjoy smoking. Pick up the wrong cigar and you could be put off looking again for the right one. That means missing out on so many great cigar-smoking experiences!

Don’t despair. This cigar-buying guide will explain the biggest factors to consider. These include the cigar’s strength, size, wrapper, shape, and flavor.

In a hurry? Our Cigar Advisor lets you filter the full range by origin, brand, size, ring gauge and strength, so you can narrow hundreds of cigars down to a shortlist in seconds. Prefer to learn the ropes first? Read on.

Understanding Cigar Strength

The strength of a cigar can be classed as ‘mild’, ‘medium’, or ‘full-bodied’. One thing to keep in mind before you pick: strength and body are not the same thing. Strength is the nicotine hit you feel, while body is how rich and full the smoke tastes on your palate. A cigar can taste full and flavorful yet still smoke fairly mild, which is worth remembering when you read a label.

Mild Cigars

If you’re new to smoking cigars, stick to mild sticks for now. They have lower nicotine content for starters – typically below 50mg. You can also expect a lighter, smoother flavor profile. They are a good choice early in the day, when you don’t want your cigars to pack too much of a punch.

Medium Cigars

Enjoy medium-strength beverages like coffee and cocktails? You’ll likely enjoy medium-strength cigars, too. They have a fuller flavour as well as a higher nicotine content. Most cigars in this category have around 100mg of nicotine.

Full-Bodied Cigars

It’s useful to know how to choose the right cigar for the right occasion. Full-bodied cigars are best saved for when you have time to really savor the flavor. So, it’d be a good idea to smoke one after dinner or during a long road trip. In terms of strength, they lean towards the 200mg mark for nicotine.

Choosing the Right Cigar Size

The larger the cigar, the longer it will take you to finish smoking. So, how is the size of a cigar measured? The following factors are taken into account:

Cigar Length

Premium cigars, like those we sell, tend to be four to six inches long. A long cigar’s flavor can initially be mellow but intensify as the stogie continues to burn down.

If you’re looking for a quicker burst of flavor, choose cigars that are four inches long. For more gradual flavor development, opt for a six-inch cigar.

Ring Gauge

A cigar’s ’ring gauge’ is a measurement of its diameter. The ring gauge is measured in 64ths of an inch. For example, a ring gauge of 64 means an inch, while a ring gauge of 32 equates to half an inch.

The wider the ring gauge, the more intense the flavor. So, beginners might want to order a 32-ring-gauge cigar. If you’re looking for more flavor, try a ring gauge around 52.

Popular Cigar Sizes

The three most popular cigar sizes are known as the Corona, Robusto, and Toro. Here’s how they tend to differ:

Size name	General length	General ring gauge
Corona	5.5 to 6 inches	42 to 44
Robusto	4.75 to 5.5 inches	48 to 52
Toro	6 inches	52

As the Toro typically takes more than an hour to be fully smoked, you might want to avoid it if time is tight. Why not consider a small smoke, such as a Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robustos?

Selecting the Right Wrapper Type

A cigar’s wrapper is responsible for much of its flavor. Naturally, though, cigar makers also want the wrapper to look good. Here’s a look at various types of cigar wrapper – and how they differ in taste, appearance, and strength:

Natural

The two broadest categories of cigar wrapper are Natural and Maduro. In terms of colour, these leaves can be classed as ‘light’ and ‘dark’ respectively.

The Natural wrappers tend to be milder in taste, with notes of nuts like almonds and cashews. Many popular Natural cigar leaves are a bit spicy, too!

Maduro

Coarse tobacco leaves show thick, visible veins. These would be unsightly on cigar wrappers. That’s why cigar makers often ferment tobacco leaves to remove blemishes. This fermentation process also gives Maduro wrappers their distinctively sweet, earthy taste.

Habano

In many respects, Habano wrappers are Cuban through and through. They come from Cuban-seed tobacco fermented in a traditional Cuban style.

Nonetheless, not all Habano leaves are grown in Cuba. No prizes for guessing where Ecuador Habano leaves are grown! In color, these tend to range from medium to dark brown.

The flavors of Cuban-seed wrappers include figs, dried fruit, and molasses. These leaves can even taste meaty, making them ideal for full-bodied cigars.

Sun Grown

Sun-Grown tobacco leaves are so-called as they are grown under direct sunlight. There’s no mesh or nylon cloth in the way to filter this sunlight.

Sun-Grown leaves are thicker and stronger as a result. Some are chestnut-colored, while others both look and taste like coffee. Other common flavors of Sun-Grown cigars include nutmeg and cedar.

Which should you choose? Natural is a safe choice, while Maduro wrappers have a richer flavor. You can move onto Habano and Sun-Grown wrappers as you refine your palate.

Selecting Based on Cigar Shape

Cigars come in many different shapes, which can be sorted into two basic categories. Parejos are straight, while Figurados are tapered. So, how does the shape of a cigar affect its draw and burn as well as the overall smoking experience?

Parejo

Parejos are straight cylinders with even sides. As a result, these cigars deliver a simpler, more consistent burn than Figurados. Parejos can be round or box-pressed, with the latter usually having a looser draw.

Figurado

Typically, only the head of a Figurado is tapered. However, some Figurados, like Perfectos, are tapered at both ends. This allows for a more controlled draw.

The more irregular the shape of a cigar, the more its flavor can change as you smoke. This is because narrower parts of the cigar can burn more slowly than thicker sections.

Flavor and Country of Origin

What foods and beverages do you like? Look out for cigars that taste like them. For example, if you enjoy spicy cuisine, pick up a spicy cigar. Love snacking on sweets or nuts? Yes, certain cigars taste sweet or nutty as well.

Keep a ‘cigar journal’ where you make note of cigars you particularly like. Then, you can seek similar cigars from other brands.

Flavor by Country

Where a cigar is made shapes how it tastes, so origin is a useful shortcut when you pick one.

Nicaraguan cigars tend to be bolder and peppery, Dominican cigars are often smoother and creamier, and Honduran cigars sit in between with a warm, spicy note.

Cuban cigars are prized for an earthy, gently sweet character that many smokers chase for life. None is better than the rest, they are simply different starting points for your search.

How to Pick a Cuban Cigar

Since Cuban cigars are what we know best, here is how to pick one with confidence. Start mild and work up: a Hoyo de Monterrey or a Quintero is a gentle way in, while Partagás and Bolívar sit at the stronger end once your palate is ready. Our guide to Cuban cigar brands breaks down who makes what.

Cuban vitola names can trip up newcomers, since a "Petit Corona" or "Robusto" from one brand may smoke very differently from another. Go by the size and strength rather than the name alone, and let the maker's own tasting notes guide you.

Buying your first box? A mixed sampler or a five-pack lets you try a few marcas without committing to a full box of one cigar. It is the cheapest way to find the Cuban that suits you.

Cigar Selection Comparison

Ready to choose your ideal cigar? Below, we’ll sum up the different factors to consider and some tips for selection.

Factor	Variations	Impacts	Tips for Selection
Strength	Mild, Medium, Full-Bodied	Overall power	Choose mild if you’re a beginner. Opt for medium to take the next step up. Choose full-bodied for a strong, flavorful cigar.
Size	Corona, Robusto, Toro	Smoking duration and flavor concentration	A small cigar length and ring gauge, such as 4 x 32, is ideal for beginners.Opt for 6 x 52 if you want more flavor and strength.
Wrapper	Natural, Maduro, Habano, Sun Grown	Flavor, color, and strength	Natural is a safe choice.Maduro wrappers have a richer flavor.Choose Habano and Sun-Grown for complex flavors.
Shape	Parejo, Figurado	Draw, burn, and overall smoking experience	Parejos are straight for a simple, consistent burn.Figurado is tapered at both ends for a more controlled draw
Flavor	Spicy, Sweet, Nutty, Earthy, Creamy	Personal enjoyment of the cigar	Make a cigar journal to log the flavors you like and dislike.

Picking a Cigar in the Shop

As for how to choose a cigar in a brick-and-mortar shop? Physically inspect each cigar you consider.

Look for any damage or imperfections in the leaf.

• Feel: give it a gentle roll between your fingers. It should feel firm and springy, with no hard lumps or soft, empty spots.
• Wrapper: the leaf should look smooth and lightly oily, with no cracks, tears or dry patches.
• Smell: a good cigar has a sweet, hay-like aroma at the foot. Anything musty or ammonia-like is a bad sign.
• Cap: check the cap is neatly applied, since a sloppy cap often points to rushed rolling.

Picking a Cigar Online

Initially, the question of how to choose a good cigar might seem more complex when you’re buying online. After all, you can’t physically inspect the cigars before you buy.

However, the best online cigar sellers guarantee their cigars’ authenticity and freshness. This makes buying a cigar online easy and efficient. Here are some steps to take:

Read Reviews and Ratings

The first step is to check reviews for different online stores. Most sites will include an average rating. You can also read specific reviews from customers in your location. This will give you a good idea of the customer service and product quality.

Consider Trusted Sellers

Look for established sellers of good-quality cigars. Research how long a store has been selling for and check how many different countries they ship to. This will give you an idea of how trustworthy they are. For example, SwissCubanCigars was established way back in 2012, giving us well over a decade of experience.

Look for Proper Packaging

Cigars should have markings of genuineness. This includes an authenticity seal with a unique barcode and hologram. It’s not just there for display. We cover how to check that code, and spot a counterfeit, in the next section.

Utilize Product Descriptions

Product descriptions (should) provide plenty of information about the cigars on offer. Be sure to read up on the strength, size, shape, and flavor profile. This will reduce the risk of picking an unsuitable cigar.

Check Return and Exchange Policies

Rest assured that the best online stores will make it easy to return a product. So, there’s really no problem if you order the wrong cigar. With SwissCubanCigars, for instance, you can return your purchase within 7 days of receipt for a refund or exchange.

How to Spot a Fake Cuban Cigar

Counterfeit Cubans are common, especially when a deal looks too good to pass up. Buy from a seller who sources through Habanos S.A., and treat a price that is a fraction of the going rate as a warning rather than a bargain.

A few quick tells: genuine boxes carry a factory code and date stamp on the underside, the cigars inside are uniform in colour and size, and the bands sit crisp and even. When your cigars arrive, verify the 12-digit code on the authenticity seal on the official Habanos S.A. website.

For the full walkthrough, including the warranty seal, holograms and the box codes in detail, read our guide on how to spot a fake Cuban cigar.

Common Mistakes When Picking Your First Cigar

A few slip-ups catch out most beginners, and they are easy to avoid once you know them.

• Starting too strong. A full-bodied cigar can overwhelm a new smoker, so begin mild and build up.
• Buying on price alone. The cheapest cigar rarely hooks you, and the priciest is not always better. Match the cigar to your taste, not your budget.
• Ignoring ring gauge. A very thin or very fat cigar changes the whole experience. A middle gauge around 48 to 50 is a safe first choice.
• Smoking too fast. Rushing makes a cigar burn hot and turn harsh. Slow puffs, roughly one a minute, keep it cool and tasty.
• Storing it badly. A cigar left out dries and cracks. For any you keep for later, a humidor or a sealed bag with a humidity pack does the job.

Pick a Cigar and Enjoy the Reward

It’s wise to experiment with various cigar types, sizes, and strengths. With every cigar you consider, ask yourself how it has been wrapped. What shape is it? What is the cigar’s advertised flavor?

The idea is to discover your personal preferences and find cigars to match. That way, you can learn how to pick a cigar like a pro! Try out your cigar-picking skills online today at the best Cuban cigar shop.