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What Are the Different Styles of Cigars?

The world of cigars is full of variety, and many cigars are esteemed just like fine wines. A well-stocked humidor would likely contain an assortment of diverse styles and sizes of cigars. Cigars are so diverse because each hand-crafted cigar smokes differently due to its individual makeup and overall size.

Styles
- Cigars are typically made in two basic styles, Parejos and Figuardos. Both categories contain subgroups of cigars that are rolled and sized in a particular fashion. The Parejos style is the more popular of the two as it resembles most closely the iconic image of the cigar throughout history.
Parejos
- Parejos cigars are evenly rolled to create a smooth and regular smoke throughout the duration of the cigar. These types of cigars have three distinct classifications: Coronas, Panatelas and Lonsdales. Coronas alone have a variety of sub-styles ranging from a classic Corona to a Churchill or Robusto, and usually have a rounded cap. Coronas can range in length from 5 to 7 inches, and typically have a larger girth than all other Parejos. Panatelas are frequently smaller than the other two Parejos, both in length and girth, while the Lonsdales are slightly larger than Panatelas in girth and Coronas in length.
Figuardos
- Figuardos cigars are purposefully rolled to be irregular or uneven, and often have a larger girth than the Parejos style. This type of cigar has numerous sub-categories of styles, including Belicoso, Pyramids, Torpedo, Perfecto and Diademas. Belicoso cigars are defined by the tapered shape that becomes smaller as it nears the rounded cap. Pyramids are also tapered like the Belicoso, though these cigars slim as they near a pointed cap. Torpedoes are larger at the foot, or base, have a slightly swelling middle and then taper to a pointed cap. Perfectos are tapered at both the head and the cap, creating what looks like a bulge in the center. Finally, Diademas cigars are the largest style -- generally 8 inches or more in length.
Size
- The length and girth of a cigar are very important in determining the many factors of how a cigar smokes. Cigars that are longer and thicker have the most smoothness and last for a longer smoking period because of the amount of tobacco and the slow filtration of the smoke from the foot to the cap. Thinner and shorter cigars have a harsher smokiness and shorter smoking time. The size of a cigar also affects the total cost -- a larger cigar equates to more time and tobacco, which raises the retail value.

Cigar Collecting