A Guide to the Different Types of Cigars: Varieties & Shapes

Finding your perfect cigar will be easier after learning the different options available. However, with so many different types of cigars, there is a lot of information to process.

In this article, we’ll summarize each different cigar form, outlining their differences. We’ll break cigar terminology down for you, from shapes to wrappers.

Different Types of Cigars

Let’s start with the different types of cigars. There are three broad categories – machine-made, handmade and boutique:

Machine-Made Cigars

It won’t surprise you to know that mass-produced cigars are usually made by a machine and not by a human. With machines able to create more cigars than humans, machine-made sticks are cheap.

The price is further lowered as machine-made cigars are made with short-filler tobacco. This is the leftover tobacco scraps gathered from the production of premium cigars.

Machine-made cigars are often shunned by cigar enthusiasts. They won’t usually be stocked in high-end tobacco stores.

Handmade Cigars

True cigar aficionados are unlikely to select a cigar that hasn’t been handmade. Handmade sticks tend to contain long-filler tobacco. This means they have whole leaves running throughout the length of the cigar.

Because of this, handmade cigars have a controlled burn and complex flavor profile. There is a higher level of scarcity with handmade cigars. This is because an experienced roller will only be able to produce between 80-200 sticks a day.

As you’d expect, handmade cigars cost more than machine-made products. That’s simply due to lower availability and higher-quality tobacco.

Boutique Cigars

Boutique sticks are the holy grail for cigar enthusiasts and collectors. Produced by independent manufacturers, each has its own character.

There is a strong focus on quality control with boutique products. They are made by rollers known for demonstrating high levels of craftsmanship.

Being independent enables manufacturers to go in multiple directions with their products. This allows for innovation and the creation of unique, highly collectible cigars.

Different Cigar Shapes

Shapes are another way to distinguish between different cigar types. Broadly speaking, cigar shapes can be split into two groups, parejos and figurados. Parejos are seen as the standardized shape of cigar. Figurados is an umbrella term for any cigar that deviates from the shape of the parejos.

Below, we’ll look at these two plus some subcategories.

Parejos

Ask a non-smoker to describe what a cigar looks like and they’ll name the characteristics of a parejo. These straight-sided, cylindrical sticks are the most common of all cigar shapes. They will be found in every cigar store.

Their name derives from the Spanish word, ‘parejo’, meaning equal. And equal they are, maintaining the same ring gauge from head to foot. Parejos are the ideal entry cigar shape, as their form makes them easy to cut and smoke.

Torpedo

The narrow point at the end of a torpedo cigar is designed to channel smoke through a smaller area. This creates a more intense smoking experience, enhancing the cigar’s flavor profile.

Fine tip aside, torpedo cigars bear a resemblance to parejos. They are straight-edged, and the ring gauge is even from the cigar’s body to its foot.

Pyramid

The fine-tipped heads of pyramid cigars are similar to the heads of torpedos. However, pyramid cigars are not straight-edged. Their ring gauges can increase by more than 10 from head to foot.

Pyramid cigars are known for their controlled burn and enhanced flavor profile. They are often confused with belicoso cigars, although they tend to be longer in length. Most pyramids will measure around six to seven inches.

Belicoso

Belicoso cigars are a shortened version of a pyramid cigar. They tend to measure around five inches in length. This shortened length concentrates the flavor and creates a crisper draw when smoked.

If you’re new to cigar smoking, belicosos are a great choice. Their shortened length makes them far less intimidating than longer options.

Culebra

Unconventional is one way to describe culebra cigars. Named after the Spanish word for snake, they consist of three cigars braided together. When the individual cigars are detached, they take on a distorted winding shape.

Culebras are far from commonplace and are often sought after by collectors.

Perfecto

Regarded by many as the perfectly shaped cigar, the perfecto is tapered at both ends. Notoriously difficult to roll, they are extremely sought after by aficionados. The wrapper-to-filler ratio changes throughout the course of the cigar. This creates a varied, interesting experience.

Diadema

Diadema cigars are formidable. They often measure eight inches in length with 50+ ring gauges. They are leisurely sticks, ideal for relaxing on a slow evening. The sheer size of diademas means they are more suited to experienced smokers.

Pigtail

Pigtail cigars are instantly recognizable due to their twisted caps. There is debate over whether the twisted cap is purely aesthetic, or practical. As it can be twisted off, it removes the need for a cigar cutter.

Cigar Wrapper Types

The cigar wrapper can also impact your smoking experience. They include Connecticut Shade (natural), Maduro, Habano, and Corojo. Here’s what you need to know:

Connecticut Shade

Connecticut Shade is the most common natural cigar wrapper type. It’s easy to spot with its distinctive light coloring. This gives it a mild, almost creamy taste, making it popular with those who are new to cigar smoking.

The tobacco leaves are cultivated underneath shade tents in the Connecticut River Valley.

Maduro

Translating to ‘mature’, maduro wrappers undergo an extended fermentation process. This gives them their trademark darker color. This adds to the intensity of the flavor, with maduro wrappers known for complexity.

Maduro wrappers have a much more distinctive taste than Connecticut Shade wrappers. This may make them less accessible to new smokers.

Habano

If full-bodied cigars are your thing, it’s worth looking out for Habano wrappers. They have an oily appearance, created by the essential oils in the tobacco plants. It's these oils that contribute to the Habano’s unique, almost spicy flavor.

The Habano is a choice for the more experienced smoker, as they have a higher nicotine content.

Corojo

Corojo wrappers provide an acquired, spicy taste, within the same realm as the Habano. They are also known for their oily texture, giving them a distinctive appearance.

Over time, corojo wrappers have changed form. The original corojo seed was abandoned due to its susceptibility to disease. Cultivation of corojo plants has also moved across North America. It was first cultivated in Cuba, but is now grown in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Kentucky.

How to Choose the Right Cigar Type

So, how should you choose between the different types of cigar? You’ll need to consider the body, shape, and size in line with your personal preferences:

Body

The term ‘cigar body’ refers to a cigar’s depth of flavor and fullness. Cigars fall under the categories of mild, medium-bodied, and full-bodied. Each offers a vastly different smoking experience.Full-bodied cigars are a great settler in the evenings. Especially when paired with a glass of whiskey. Conversely, mild sticks are great in the morning, as you can ease into their subtle flavors.

Shape

If you’re craving flavor complexity, you might be tempted to explore the figurado market. With options like torpedos and belicosos, you’ll open up a new smoking experience.

New cigar smokers may favor the simplicity of a parejo cigar, however.

Size

The size of your cigar will determine how much time you spend smoking it. Large cigars can take upwards of one hour to smoke, so if time isn’t on your side, they’re not an ideal choice.

Here is a rough guide on how long different-sized cigars take to smoke:

Size (inches)	Time to smoke
4-5	20 - 40 minutes
5-6	45 - 60 minutes
6-7	60 - 90 minutes
8	90 - 120 minutes

Learn the Types of Cigars to Improve Your Search

Learning the types of cigars will improve your chances of finding your ideal smoke. After all, your experience will be affected by shape, size, wrapper, and manufacturer.

Above all, the main thing to look out for is quality. At SwissCubanCigars, we stock the best sticks that Cuba has to offer. Our premium-quality cigars ensure a high-quality smoke every time.

Browse our selection today to find your new favorite cigar.