lighters and large ring gauges

[sneak_a_cigar]

I just thought that maybe ring gauges are getting bigger because todays smokers are more likely to have torch lighters.

I'm guessing that decades ago, more people used matches than now. They would have trouble lighting really fat cigars, have to use multiple matches. Fat cigars had tapered points making them easier to light, but harder to roll.

Now lot's of people are using torch lighters and fat cigars are no problem.

Does easier lighting make for fatter cigars?

sneak

 

[mwlabel]

Probably not.

 

[Schmec]

I think years ago people smoked inside much more often so matches were easy to use. Now smoking has become taboo and is pushed outside. Lighting with matches in the wind is damn near impossible so torches were developed.

I think the bigger ring gauges just follow suit with the increasing size of everything. People interpret bigger as better value and more catching to the eye. I know i did when i started smoking.

 

[Rupe]

I think the bigger ring gauges just follow suit with the increasing size of everything. People interpret bigger as better value and more catching to the eye. I know i did when i started smoking.

I agree with this^^^^

I also think that big cigars are equated to success and/or wealth in our culture and have been for some time. Cartoons, advertising, movies, etc. have all perpetuated this over the years. As an example, when Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum blew up the aliens in Independence Day they smoked a churchill, not a petite corona or a club. As another example I can think of several musical references on this. Johnny Cash, Boston, AC/DC, Pink Floyd and others have lyrics that associate cigars (and big cigars in particular) with success or wealth.

I'm sure that the evolution of lighters may play into it a little bit but my guess is that people just want to look and feel successful.

 

[javajunkie]

actually, there may be something there. technology has had a way of evolving cultural mores throughout history. without a way to light a 60RG, would a manufacturer have tried to blend and sell that vitola?

in all honesty, i think this is a chicken/ egg scenario, but i think there is something there.

 

[pbear1973]

actually, there may be something there. technology has had a way of evolving cultural mores throughout history. without a way to light a 60RG, would a manufacturer have tried to blend and sell that vitola?

in all honesty, i think this is a chicken/ egg scenario, but i think there is something there.

I'd agree. I think Schmec is pretty much correct that torches were invented to counteract the nuisance of wind. With torches it then became possible to roll bigger, fatter cigars. The 64RG Nubs are a good example. Imagine how many matches you'd need just to toast a cigar that's an inch wide!

 

[PLUSH]

I would have to disagree. Torches have been around for at least 25 years, the Blazer was at least around before 1990, as my dad used to use one in his shop and to light cigars. Most popular cigars smoked were 42 rg up until the cigar boom of the 90s, then the robusto (50 rg) took over as the most preferred smoke. People who smoked these monster rg back then were seen as idiots who did not know anything, they were just the casual walk into a B&M and grab the big one that lookd cool. Manufacturers started then jumping into 54 rg, as it allowed more flavors to be packed into the cigar while allowing a cooler burn. Now within the last two years manufacturers are going 60 rg and beyond. Why, because as was stated earlier, it is just the way things progress, bigger is better, value meals, big-gulp, super big-gulp, etc. It is just a fad, which manufacturers are more than willing to promote. I would take any 50 rg or lower and put it up against any larger rg any day.

 

[icehog3]

I would take any 50 rg or lower and put it up against any larger rg any day.

I would agree with this 99% of the time.

 

[ciggy]

I would have to disagree. Torches have been around for at least 25 years, the Blazer was at least around before 1990, as my dad used to use one in his shop and to light cigars. Most popular cigars smoked were 42 rg up until the cigar boom of the 90s, then the robusto (50 rg) took over as the most preferred smoke. People who smoked these monster rg back then were seen as idiots who did not know anything, they were just the casual walk into a B&M and grab the big one that lookd cool. Manufacturers started then jumping into 54 rg, as it allowed more flavors to be packed into the cigar while allowing a cooler burn. Now within the last two years manufacturers are going 60 rg and beyond. Why, because as was stated earlier, it is just the way things progress, bigger is better, value meals, big-gulp, super big-gulp, etc. It is just a fad, which manufacturers are more than willing to promote. I would take any 50 rg or lower and put it up against any larger rg any day.

I agree with Plush. I see no relevance between the two at all. Bigger rings have come about because of a fad...nothing more. For me The biggest I will go is 54rg being a Toro/churchill preferred guy. Really anything over a 52 is pushing it.

 

[Diplomatico]

I would have to disagree. Torches have been around for at least 25 years.

Agree with Plush's comment - huge ring gauges have only recently become 'in style'. Torch lighters have been around for decades.

I know many will laugh at this supposition but I've convinced myself that the success that JR Cigars had in selling the JR Ultimate Padron/Principale size (6 x 54) played a part in the evolution of larger ring gauges by other manufacturers. I remember buying that cigar in the late nineties/early 2000s and recall it being one of their best sellers in the Ult line...and it was one of the few 54 ring cigars that I can recall being available at the time. Just a theory.

 

[Craig Mac]

Agree with Plush's comment - huge ring gauges have only recently become 'in style'. Torch lighters have been around for decades.

I know many will laugh at this supposition but I've convinced myself that the success that JR Cigars had in selling the JR Ultimate Padron/Principale size (6 x 54) played a part in the evolution of larger ring gauges by other manufacturers. I remember buying that cigar in the late nineties/early 2000s and recall it being one of their best sellers in the Ult line...and it was one of the few 54 ring cigars that I can recall being available at the time. Just a theory.

I would recognize the La Gloria Cubana Serie R as well. Big ring gauge and a big step up in strength. Those things were bought up like mad when they came out and the first cigar that turned me in to a regular cigar smoker.

 

[Diplomatico]

Agree with Plush's comment - huge ring gauges have only recently become 'in style'. Torch lighters have been around for decades.

I know many will laugh at this supposition but I've convinced myself that the success that JR Cigars had in selling the JR Ultimate Padron/Principale size (6 x 54) played a part in the evolution of larger ring gauges by other manufacturers. I remember buying that cigar in the late nineties/early 2000s and recall it being one of their best sellers in the Ult line...and it was one of the few 54 ring cigars that I can recall being available at the time. Just a theory.

I would recognize the La Gloria Cubana Serie R as well. Big ring gauge and a big step up in strength. Those things were bought up like mad when they came out and the first cigar that turned me in to a regular cigar smoker.

And then Habanos SA released the Cohiba Subliime EL in 2004 and....well, here we are today.