In Europe, the Cigarillos, or Short, Dry-Cured Cigar, Sells. In America, it Has Never Caught On.
In Europe, the cigarillo — also called the short, dry-cured cigar — has become a daily ritual. For those without the time to sit for an hour-long Churchill, a cigarillo offers a quick, flavourful seven-minute smoke. In Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and beyond, billions are enjoyed each year. Yet across the Atlantic, cigarillos have never taken hold in the same way, with American smokers preferring larger, stronger cigars.
A Convenient Ritual
Imagine a lunch of Italian dishes ending with an espresso. For many Europeans, this is the perfect moment to reach not for a full cigar, but for a slim white tin of cigarillos. They slip neatly into a jacket pocket and pair beautifully with coffee or a quick break between meetings.
Different countries have their favourites. In Germany, it might be a Dannemann Smoker’s Club. In Denmark, a Nobel Petit, one of the oldest cigarillo brands. And in the Netherlands, Henri Winterman’s Café Crème has become a global bestseller, especially in duty-free shops. At the luxury end, Davidoff mini cigarillos helped make the format fashionable with their elegant advertising campaigns in the 1990s.
Why They Work
Cigarillos succeed in Europe because they meet a need. They are convenient, inexpensive compared with full cigars, and consistent thanks to modern production methods. Even those with homogenised binders (75% tobacco, 25% cellulose) can offer a surprisingly smooth smoke and a reliable burn.
They are also accessible. A box of cigarillos usually costs half the price of a handmade cigar, yet still delivers the flavour and ritual that smokers look for. This balance of quality and affordability has helped them maintain a loyal following.
What Defines a Cigarillo?
There’s no strict rule today, but cigarillos are generally:
- 3–4 inches in length
- 5–8mm in diameter
- around 3 grams in weight
Originally, German law limited any cigar labelled a “cigarillo” to three grams or less. Though that regulation disappeared in the 1950s, the size has remained more or less the same.
Europe vs. America
Why have cigarillos never become mainstream in the US? Tradition is one reason. American smokers tend to favour bold, full-sized cigars — Cuban seed Dominicans or, where possible, Havanas. The machine-made nature of cigarillos also puts off purists who view hand-rolled cigars as the only true expression of the craft.
Taste plays a part too. American palates lean toward stronger cigars with more nicotine, while cigarillos are often lighter and shorter. Regulations around advertising and stricter smoking bans further hindered their introduction.
The Market Today
Despite these challenges abroad, the European market continues to thrive. Sales are rising by as much as 10% annually in some regions, supported by professionals in their 40s and 50s — lawyers, bankers, executives — who appreciate cigarillos as a quick but luxurious treat.
Younger smokers are also beginning to take interest. For many, cigarillos are an entry point into the world of cigars, offering flavour and ritual without the time or expense of a large Havana. Manufacturers have invested heavily in quality controls, seed selection, and farming partnerships to ensure consistency and keep their loyal base satisfied.
Cigarillos may never rival the prestige of a Cohiba or Montecristo, but they hold an important place in European cigar culture. They are the practical luxury: quick, affordable, and surprisingly complex. For those who want to smoke less, but smoke better, cigarillos continue to offer an appealing solution.