Choosing your cigar is not a simply as it sounds. Cigars come in many shapes and sizes and colours. It is often difficult for a neophyte cigar smoker to get a complete understanding of the how these factors affect the taste. The shape of the cigar is perhaps the hardest thing to describe since there are no set standards used between cigar manufacturers. Usually it is best to remember the shape written on the box to remember what you are smoking.

The size is measured by length and ring gauge (cigar’s diameter). One ring is equivalent to 1/64 of an inch. Some of the most common are

Panatela (6 1/2 x 35)

Robusto (4 1/2 x 50)

Churchill (7 1/4 x 48)

Corona (5 3/4 x 42)

Double Corona (6 1/2 x 48)

Lonsdale (6 3/4 x 42)

A cigar with a larger ring gauge will have a fuller and more complex flavour and produce more smoke compared to the smaller ring gauge cigars. The larger a ring gauge the more a cigar maker can blend and combine different types of leaves. Colour also plays an important part in choosing your cigars. What you see when you look at a cigar is the wrapper and it plays a role in the flavour of your cigar. Usually the wrapper is described by it’s country of origin or colour;

Claro (light tan)

Maduro (darkest brown)

Oscuro (black)

Colorado (reddish dark brown)

Colorado Maduro (dark brown)

Colorado Claro (mid brown)

Also when you look at the wrapper make sure it isn’t too dry or too firm or too soft. Before you buy check for cracks or defective wrapper although when you buy from Simply Cigars we do this for you. Download our free size chart by clicking here.