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Khieng Chho

Cigars have become as popular as wine tasting. Cigar clubs were put up at a rapid pace. An increasing number of restaurants now boast cigar menus. Just about everybody loves cigars, whether they smoke a dollar or seventy dollar amount of cigars.

There are many types of cigars, but each consists of two primary elements that produce its smoking and flavor characteristics. First is the cigar wrapper. Another is the cigar’s style.

Wrappers

The cigar wrappers are generally categorized by their color.

• Candela – also called the American Market Selection, is a slightly greenish and very light in color
• Claro – light tan or yellowish in color
• Colorado Claro – light brown, also called English Market Selection, Colorado Reddish brown
• Maduro – brown to almost black (also called Spanish Market Selection)
• Oscuro – black and often have an oily look


Cigar Styles

Cigars are commonly categorized by its size and shape, which together are known as vitola. The most common shape of the cigar is the parejo, which has a cylindrical body and a round cap.

The parejos include the following vitolas (from shortest to longest):

• Robusto also known as Rothschild
• Panatela
• Petit Corona
• Corona
• Lonsdale
• Churchill
• Double Corona

Another type of cigar according to its shape is known as figurados. Figurados are irregularly-shaped cigars which are sometimes considered of higher quality because they are more difficult to make.

Figurados include the following:

• Pyramide – it is similar to a parejo except that the cap is pointed.
• Torpedo – broad foot that narrows evenly to a pointed cap.
• Perfecto – has a bulky middle and narrow at both ends.
• Presidente/Diadema – considered a figurado because of its enormous size but shaped like a parejo
• Culebras – it is like a three long, pointed cigars braided together.

Another type of cigar is the stogy. It is also called Stogie. It is one of the cheap types of cigar available these days.

In some parts of the world, cigars are measured with two dimensions. The first way of measuring is through a ring gauge and the other way is through length.

Ring gauge or Cigar Ring Size

It is the cigars diameter which is the numerator of the widest diameter in 64ths of an inch. A 32 ring cigar will measure ½ inch in diameter.

Churchill (7.00” x 47)
Corona (5.50” x 42)
Double Corona (7.50”-8.50” x 49-52)
Lonsdale (6.50” x 42)
Panatela (5.00”-6.50” x 28-38)
Perfecto (Tapered Head and Foot)
Petit Corona (5.00” x 40-42)
Presidente (7.50”-8.00” x 52)
Pyramide (6.00” Tapered Head to Oversize Foot)
Robusto (6.00” x 48-50)
Rothschild (4.50”-5.50” x 48-50)

Cigars, without any qualms or question are “in”. In certain circles, cigar is a form of fashion that has a language of its own. Many people have claimed that there is a learning and pleasure that is gained from cigar sessions.

Furthermore, one must master the art of placing the cigar alongside the ear, and then rolling it between three fingers in order to use the senses of touch to determine its solidity, texture and humidity content. It has become an impression that is so great you’ll try all kinds of it.

Puffing cigar exudes character. Said character can be further expressed by the type of cigar being puffed and enjoyed.

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