Cigar 101: The Shapes of a Cigar

CIGAR 101: SHAPES OF A CIGAR

By Sapna Kakkar

For anyone looking to acquaint themselves with the ABC’s of cigars, this series is for you. Cigar 101 focuses on the details of the anatomy of the cigar along with other matters such as how to pick a perfect cigar, how to smoke a Cuban, how to store your cigars, etc. Please subscribe for regular updates.

One of my favorite things to do is visit a brick and mortar cigar shop. Besides the wonderful aroma, visually too it looks spectacular. All those bright boxes, the glorious variety of the cigar wrappers and the multi dimensional look because of the various lengths is a dream come true for most of us cigar aficionados.

One of my favorite things to do is visit a brick and mortar cigar shop. Besides the wonderful aroma, visually too it looks spectacular. All those bright boxes, the glorious variety of the cigar wrappers and the multi dimensional look because of the various lengths is a dream come true for most of us cigar aficionados.
For a novice, the many shapes of the cigar and the meaning behind it might become very overwhelming so this article should help you better equip yourself to choose your perfect Habanos.

The two fundamental shapes of a cigar are:
1. A Parejo (Pronounced Pa – Re- Ho) which means “straight” in Spanish is a cigar that has the same ring gauge through the length of the cigar and is capped with a curve at its head and an open foot. This is a classic cigar shape.
Conventionally, anything that is not a Parejo is considered a Figurado.

There are three types of Parejo
A.The Classic Parejo: As described above
B.Box pressed Parejo: The fact is that all Habanos are rolled round. However, at some point in the past, they were placed in their respective boxes that were made slightly smaller (so that they cigars wouldn’t be damaged during shipping); instead what the consumer received was a slightly square- ish looking cigar. It is rumored that by tightly packed, the cigars would burn longer and provide a consistent flavour.
C.Culebras: Meaning Snake in Spanish, these are three Parejo braided together. These cigars are much more difficult to roll and manufacture, hence the low supply. The three cigars are bound together by one ribbon/ band on each end. They are either meant to be consumed separately or if one is feeling adventurous, all can be smoked as one, together.

2. A Figurado is a cigar with an irregular shape. The following shapes come under the figurado category
A.Torpedo: Often, most figuardos are referred to as torpedoes. However, torpedoes are cigars that carry the same ring gauge throughout the length and then feature a long tapered head that cures into a point.
B.Belicosos: These are much shorter and resemble a bullet. Like torpedoes, carry the same ring gauge throughout the length and curve into a short slightly sharp head.
C.Pirámide: With a similar head as a torpedo, the Pirámide differs in its width which is the broadest at the foot of the cigar.
D.Perfecto: cigars that are tapered at both the head and the food. They are also referred to as Double Figurados.