Choosing a cigar is simpler than the options make it look. Most of the decision comes down to three things: how strong you want it, how long you want to smoke, and what kind of flavours you are after. Get those three right and the rest follows.
Start With Strength
Strength refers to nicotine impact, not flavour complexity. A full-strength cigar smoked on an empty stomach will floor a new smoker. A mild cigar will leave an experienced one unsatisfied. Be honest about where you are.
| Strength | What it feels like | Good starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Smooth, no head rush, easy to smoke for an hour | Connecticut-wrapped Hondurans, Dominican Coronas |
| Medium | Some body, noticeable but not overwhelming | Nicaraguan Robustos, many Honduran blends |
| Full | Strong nicotine hit, complex, needs experience | Ligero-heavy Nicaraguans, dark Maduros |
If you are new: start mild or medium. You can always move up. Going the other way — smoking something too strong and feeling sick — puts people off cigars for good.
Size and Smoking Time
Ring gauge (the diameter, measured in 64ths of an inch) affects draw and smoke temperature. Vitola (shape and length) determines how long you will be smoking.
- Robusto (5 × 50): 45–60 minutes. The most popular format for a reason — manageable, full-flavoured, fits most occasions.
- Corona (5.5 × 42): 40–50 minutes. Slimmer draw, slightly cooler smoke. Good for complex blends where you want to taste the tobacco clearly.
- Churchill (7 × 47): 90 minutes+. Only commit if you have the time. Starts mild, builds through the smoke.
- Toro (6 × 52): 60–75 minutes. Between a Robusto and Churchill — popular for relaxed evenings.
- Petit Corona / Half Corona: 25–35 minutes. Good for a short window or a new smoker who wants to pace themselves.
Wrapper as a Flavour Shortcut
The wrapper leaf is not the whole story, but it is a reliable quick signal:
| Wrapper | Colour | Flavour tendency |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Shade | Light tan | Creamy, mild, sometimes faint cedar or nut |
| Habano / Corojo | Medium brown | Spice, pepper, leather — the classic “cigar” profile |
| Maduro | Dark brown to near-black | Sweetness, dark chocolate, coffee, earth — fermented longer |
| Oscuro | Very dark | Bold, earthy, strong — not for beginners |
A Practical Framework
Answer these three questions and you will have a shortlist:
- How much time do I have? Under 45 minutes: Robusto or Corona. More time: Toro or Churchill.
- Am I after something easy or something complex? Easy: Connecticut wrapper, Honduran or Dominican filler. Complex: Nicaraguan blend, Habano or Maduro wrapper.
- Do I want something sweet or savoury? Sweet lean: Maduro. Savoury/spicy: Corojo or Habano. Neutral: Connecticut.
If you are still not sure, come into the lounge and tell us those three things. We will put something in your hand that fits. That is a faster route than reading another ten articles.
