What does it all mean?

[Scubaru]

So I have begun my long journey into the world of cigars.

I have been trying a little of this, a little of that. Trying to find my pallet likings and favorite flavors.

However I find myself overwhelmed with unknowns.

Things like sizes. From what I understand Churchill are the longest cigars, but how do they measure cigars? Is it simply just a measurement in inches?

As for the gauge, I believe it goes by 1/64ths, correct?

What about all this "Corona" and "Robust"?

I have heard of different ratings for flavor and strength, but how is that measured? Yes I understand it changes per personal pallet, but how do I know what the manufacture says they are?

I have looked around the forums and must be looking over some simple read. If not can someone enlighten me on these matters?

Thanks guys!

 

[Okcsmoker]

If you go to the http://tobacconistuniversity.org/ , I promise all your questions will be answered. I have read the book multiple times and it lays out everything you will ever need to know. You can actually receive a degree from the website. It is a great website for learning about cigars. Go there and read and then come here and you will not only keep up, but then you can learn about brands. Then when you read about what the cigars we talk about are made of, you will know exactly what we are talking about. If your serious about learning go there.

 

[GoingPostal]

Ok, first don't sweat the small stuff. As far as sizes go there is no hard fast rule as to what a corona has to be or robusto has to be, just a general range. All the stuff your asking will come as you gain more experience. May not be what you want to hear but thats the way it is.

 

[Docbp87]

As for sizing... a traditional Churchill is 7x47, so 7 inches long, with a 47 ring gauge ( so 47 64ths of an inch in diameter). This is how cigars are measured (though outside of America they are commonly measured in mm, so a Churchill becomes 47x178.

As for the names of sizes... they all have specific "classic" measurements (Robusto is 4 7/8x50, Corona Gorda is 5 5/8x46, Lancero is 7 1/2x38, etc.) though marketing has kind of distorted those, so now you have companies marketing a 5.5x54 as a Robusto, etc. I'm kind of anal retentive about these things personally, but for the most part the names are to give a general idea of the size of a cigar. A robusto is around 5 inches long with a ring gauge between 48 and 52ish usually, a churchill between 6.5 and 7ish inches by 47-52, etc. depending on who the brand is.

As for strength, that typically refers to nicotine content and delivery. A stronger cigar is going to give a higher dosage of nicotine to the smoker, adding to the physical side effects felt... which can range from a bit of a head rush to straight up nausea. Body is a more complicated issue, as some consider it a qualifier used to describe mouth feel, density of flavor and smoke on the palate, etc.

With time, you will probably be able to discern differences in flavor between cigars more specifically. Even as a new smoker you will be able to tell the difference in flavor between a dark, syrupy maduro and a musty, woody connecticut shade wrapped cigar. Honestly, this sort of thing just comes with experience, and trying a wide variety is the best way to strengthen and build your palate.

 

[Scubaru]

If you go to the http://tobacconistuniversity.org/ , I promise all your questions will be answered. I have read the book multiple times and it lays out everything you will ever need to know. You can actually receive a degree from the website. It is a great website for learning about cigars. Go there and read and then come here and you will not only keep up, but then you can learn about brands. Then when you read about what the cigars we talk about are made of, you will know exactly what we are talking about. If your serious about learning go there.

Awesome, I just figure with the colder months on their way it might be worth while to sit back smoking a cigar and having something to read/study for the winter (on top of school, haha)

As for sizing... a traditional Churchill is 7x47, so 7 inches long, with a 47 ring gauge ( so 47 64ths of an inch in diameter). This is how cigars are measured (though outside of America they are commonly measured in mm, so a Churchill becomes 47x178.

As for the names of sizes... they all have specific "classic" measurements (Robusto is 4 7/8x50, Corona Gorda is 5 5/8x46, Lancero is 7 1/2x38, etc.) though marketing has kind of distorted those, so now you have companies marketing a 5.5x54 as a Robusto, etc. I'm kind of anal retentive about these things personally, but for the most part the names are to give a general idea of the size of a cigar. A robusto is around 5 inches long with a ring gauge between 48 and 52ish usually, a churchill between 6.5 and 7ish inches by 47-52, etc. depending on who the brand is.

As for strength, that typically refers to nicotine content and delivery. A stronger cigar is going to give a higher dosage of nicotine to the smoker, adding to the physical side effects felt... which can range from a bit of a head rush to straight up nausea. Body is a more complicated issue, as some consider it a qualifier used to describe mouth feel, density of flavor and smoke on the palate, etc.

With time, you will probably be able to discern differences in flavor between cigars more specifically. Even as a new smoker you will be able to tell the difference in flavor between a dark, syrupy maduro and a musty, woody connecticut shade wrapped cigar. Honestly, this sort of thing just comes with experience, and trying a wide variety is the best way to strengthen and build your palate.

Awesome. But now my next question. Lets say I go and buy a Punch cigar (so far my favorite cigar). They offer it in many different sizes, now does that mean they are all made of the same leaf/wrap just in various sizes, or do each have a different strength, body, flavor, etc.

I guess I just don't fully understand are companies producing many different flavors in individual sizes or does Macanudo lets say, produce one type of cigar just in different "classes" of size?

I just bought a Punch After Dinner 7 1/4 x 45, so does that mena if I bought a Punch Churchill, will it taste the same, or is it a completely different cigar.

Sorry for over explaining, just making sure everyone gets what I am asking, haha.

 

[Docbp87]

Well... that depends. Brands generally have different lines. For instance, the brand you mentioned, Punch, has several different lines, Uppercut, Rare Corojo, etc. An Uppercut and a Rare Corojo and a regular Punch are all different blends. Some companies adjust the blends within a line so that all of the sizes, for instance, of the Punch Uppercut will taste and smoke the same, despite being different sizes within a line. Some companies do not adjust the blend though, so while the ratio may be the same, the difference in size will cause the cigar to smoke differently, for instance, a Tatuaje brown label Taino and a Tatuaje brown label Especiales are the same blend... but because of the difference in ring gauge (49 vs. 38), you get more wrapper flavor from the smaller ring gauge, singe there is less filler tobacco:wrapper tobacco in the smaller ring gauge.

 

[crispy_monkey]

Well... that depends. Brands generally have different lines. For instance, the brand you mentioned, Punch, has several different lines, Uppercut, Rare Corojo, etc. An Uppercut and a Rare Corojo and a regular Punch are all different blends. Some companies adjust the blends within a line so that all of the sizes, for instance, of the Punch Uppercut will taste and smoke the same, despite being different sizes within a line. Some companies do not adjust the blend though, so while the ratio may be the same, the difference in size will cause the cigar to smoke differently, for instance, a Tatuaje brown label Taino and a Tatuaje brown label Especiales are the same blend... but because of the difference in ring gauge (49 vs. 38), you get more wrapper flavor from the smaller ring gauge, singe there is less filler tobacco:wrapper tobacco in the smaller ring gauge.

ditto.
(Actually Scubaru I think I touched on this (different vitolas of punch and different lines) in one of your other forum topics...though nowhere near as nice and descriptive as our fellow BOTL here.)

 

[Scubaru]

ditto.
(Actually Scubaru I think I touched on this (different vitolas of punch and different lines) in one of your other forum topics...though nowhere near as nice and descriptive as our fellow BOTL here.)

Yes you did and I didn't forget your post :wink:

I just wanted to put a post out that would more encap my misunderstanding of cigar sizing, names, tastes, etc. The thread you posted in what me trying to find a way to know which cigar to try first.

Thanks so far to everyone who has posted and helping me understand all of this.

 

[sean]

While the brothers have done a suburb job fielding your questions, I would just like to chime in with a bit of advice:

2.5 years ago I was in your shoes, and this place was (and still is) a great community and information source. I only wished I had taken more of their advice when I first began (coulda saved a lot of money and saved myself from a box or two of boring sticks). So whatever you do, listen to these guys!

 

[CWS]

Ok, first don't sweat the small stuff. As far as sizes go there is no hard fast rule as to what a corona has to be or robusto has to be, just a general range. All the stuff your asking will come as you gain more experience. May not be what you want to hear but thats the way it is.

Best line. Hand rolled cigars means the range is wide. Try many. Look at the actual sizes by length and ring size. If you find a size you like, buy that size. I like a variety and different sizes in different cigars. I love the Habana Leon but not the belicoso. Just a diff smoke. Trial and error