How to Choose 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.

Understanding Cigar Strength

The strength of a cigar can be classed as ‘mild’, ‘medium’, or ‘full-bodied’. Here’s how to pick a cigar strength category that works for you personally:

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 Preferences

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.

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. Definitely feel the cigar to ensure it is evenly rolled and properly humidified. What makes a good cigar? The right feel, an attractive appearance, and a pleasant smell.

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. You can use the 12 digits to verify the authenticity of your product on the official Habanos S.A. website.

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 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.

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.