Wrapper colour is one way of categorizing cigars. Size and shape is another. Below are some of the most common shapes and sizes:
- Parejo – Parejos are the most familiar shape of cigar. They are sometimes called coronas. Parejos have a long, straight body with an open end and a cap on the other end that the smoker must cut off. You can also just punch a hole in the tobacco-leaf cap.
- Torpedo – This is basically a parejo with a pointed cap.
- Pyramid – Pyramids start with a broad foot and narrow down to a pointed cap.
- Perfecto – These are narrow at either-end and bulge out in the center.
- Presidente – These can sometimes be considered figurados when they are extra large.
- Culebras – These cigars are actually made up of three smaller cigars twisted together.
- Tuoscaniano – Also known as the cheroot, this cigar is long, slim, and slightly thicker in the middle..
Etiquette
So far, we have gone over the technicalities of cigars. Now we have come to discussing the customs and rituals of smoking cigars. This is just as important as knowing the ins and outs of the types and sizes. In fact, it may be even more important. If you know just a few things about cigar etiquette you can fit in with long-time connoisseurs.
Get a Humidor – This cannot be understated. It is a sad day when a perfectly good cigar goes to waste because of improper storage.
Buy a Cigar Cutter – As previously noted, many cigars have a tobacco cap that needs to be cut off before lighting. As mentioned above, there are a lot of cigars that come with a tobacco-covered cap that needs to be cut. Biting off the end of a cigar may look cool in a movie, but rest assured that you’ll just end up with stray tobacco leaves in your mouth – not quite the mark of sophistication and refinement you may be going for.
Carry a Lighter – Asking for a light is a dead giveaway that someone is a cigar novice.
Don’t Grind out Your Cigar – As a rough guide, when a cigar is ¼ of the way done you’ve smoked ¾ of the cigar, it should be set to the side of an ashtray and allowed to go out on its own. This prevents excess tobacco from taking up all the room in the ashtray.
Take Your Time – Cigar smoking is supposed to be fun and leisurely. It isn’t a race to the end. Break any other rule but this one, because someone who is calmly and coolly enjoying a fine cigar is at least doing the most important thing right.
Taking up the hobby of cigar smoking is the same as learning the ins and outs of any other time-honoured tradition. Once you have read up on the basics, the only way to learn more is to experience it for yourself. This handy guide is a good start, but now you’re ready to start exploring on your own. Talking to other cigar smokers, reading cigar internet forums, and sampling different varieties of cigars are the next steps to developing your ability to properly appreciate a good cigar
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