Buy Cuban Cigars from DonCigarro, Cigars from Switzerland

The ABC of Cigar Shapes and Sizes	back

Formats and Tobacco-Leafs The most popular Formats The official Vitolas de galera and corresponding Vitolas de Salida

Formats and Tobacco-Leaf Sizes

The fascination “cigar” is no doubt due to the myriad of shapes and sizes available on the market, a variety that has developed out of practicality. Apart from differences in burn duration, each individual format of cigar exhibits it’s signature flavor. It is a very common mistake to believe that a fat cigar is stronger than a thinner one. This is simply not true. A cigar’s aroma and strength is dependent upon the blend of it’s filler (in Spanish called tripa) - the melange of the Volado, Seco and Ligero leaves - as well as it’s length and diameter.

The Criollo tobacco plant supplies three leaf types:

Ligero: The structure-rich and densest leaves uppermost on the tobacco plant, which have been most intensely exposed to the sun. The Ligero leaves contribute strength to the taste of a cigar.

Seco: Leaves that are slightly thinner and found in the middle region of the plant, bestow a refinement to the taste and flavor.

Volado: These are found on the lower part of the plant, and are the mildest of leaves, which provide good burn characteristics to a cigar.

A major factor which influences the particular taste of a cigar is determined by the wrapper (Capa), which stems from Corojo plants in Cuban cigars. Experts believe that up to 50% of a cigar’s taste can be credited to it’s “Capa”.

The mixture of tobacco in larger and fatter cigars flaunts the characteristics of a blend much more advantageously than a thinner cigar with the same filler, the thinner format becomes too hot too quickly and, therefore burns up before it’s flavors can properly unfold.

Thus a fat cigar is fuller in aroma than a thin cigar of the same blend and often has proved that, due to it’s thickness and it’s high oxygen flow, each draw is milder and less biting.

For these reasons, there is a wide palette of sizes from which one can choose a smoke. A small Corona with a relatively short burn can be smoked more quickly than a larger format like a Lonsdale or a Churchill, which requires time, peace and leisure. There is an old saying that one does not simply smoke, one enjoys; a small, but subtle difference.

Fortunately, a large variety of shapes and sizes exists so that a suitable cigar can be found for every appetite. In this connection, it must be mentioned that, when discussing the subject of format, especially with the Habanos, this matter becomes extremely complicated. For Habanos alone, there are 72 different factory names - the “vitolas de galera”; furthermore there are an infinite number of names under which cigars are marketed, the “vitolas de salida” (for example: Cohiba Espléndido). Even though it is hardly possible for one soul to know each and every designation, let alone remember them all, there are about a dozen universal, “popular” format styles. It must also be implied that accuracy is rather rudimentary as to length and diameter; among 72 vitolas sharing a good dozen names, precision will definitely fall to the wayside. Nevertheless, the connoisseur maintains perspective and that is what counts.

Copyright © by DonCigarro, CH-8702 Zollikon

The most common Formats

Format (popular)	Information	Length mm	Diameter mm
Gigante Especial	The Gigante is a distinctive size, therefore the designation Especial. The most famous representative of this shape is the Montecristo A with a length of 235 mm and a diameter of 19 mm. One can count the Sancho Panza Sancho and the Hoyo de Monterrey Maravillas to this category. Their fabrication name is called Gran Corona. Smoking duration up to 150 mintues.	230 - 240	19 - 22
Double Corona	Of the standard sizes, the Double Corona is the largest. The sumptuous shape guarantees a good burn and a superb development of flavor. The factory designation: Prominente. Smoking enjoyment up to 120 minutes.	186 - 200	19 - 21.5
Canonazo	This size was defined by Cohiba for the Cohiba Siglo VI. It’s girth is similar to a Double Corona, but a shorter cigar. A good draw and development of flavor is guaranteed. Smoking duration up to 60 minutes.	150	21
Toro	This size is a shorter Double Corona or a Robusto which has been stretched in length. It has a thick diameter and is somewhat longer than a Corona, and thus smokes well and ensures good taste development. Up to 70 minutes of smoking enjoyment.	140 - 168	18 - 21
Churchill	This shape has been named after Sir Winston Churchill and has been specially developed by Romeo y Julieta. It’s large format guarantees an excellent burn and flavor development. Smoking duration up to 90 minutes.	170 - 185	18 - 20
8-9-8	The mythical 8-9-8 of Partagas lends the Dalia (factory name) it’s popular nomenclature. It’s specific arrangement in a box of 25, of three layers of eight, nine and eight cigars, respectively, leads to this unusual designation. Approximately 50 minutes of smoking pleasure.	170	17
Lonsdale	Originally manufactured exclusively for the English aristocrat Lord Londsdale. A rather long cigar, but in diameter more slender than a Double Corona or Churchill. Rather suited to the experienced smoker. Factory name: Cervantes. Smoking duration up to 70 minutes.	160 - 185	16 - 18
Panatela Palma	Probably the most inaccurately defined format. The cigars which are labeled as Panatela can be rather confusing. Hopefully the following will help to clarify matters. It is important to discriminate between thin and slender.
	Mini Panatela - short and thin, also called Panatela Fina. It’s factory name: Laguito No. 3.	102 - 130	10 - 13.5
	Short oder Small Panatela - also called Petit Panatela. Factory name: Panatela.	110 - 120	13.6 - 15
	Slim Panatela - Slim Panatela – long and thin, also named Panatela Fina.	130 - 170	10 - 13.5
	Panatela - long and more full-figured, also called Gran Panatela	130 - 170	13 - 15.5
	Long Panatela - long and slender, also named Gran Panatela. It’s factory name is Panetela Larga, i.e. the Cohiba Lanceros and the Trinidad Fundadores.	170 - 195	10 - 15.5
Torpedo Obus Belicoso	Cigars which do not belong to the group of Parejos, or straight cigars, but rather to the family of the Figurados, which narrow towards the head. This narrowing results in an intensification of flavor in the last third of the cigar. The factory name is called Piramide. Smoking enjoyment up to 80 minutes. Examples: Montecristo No. 2, Partagas Series P. No. 2. The Belicoso is about 15 mm shorter than the Torpedo. Factory name: Campana. Smoking duration up to 60 minutes. Example: Romeo y Julieta Belicoso.	140 - 170	19.5 - 21.5
Perfecto	There are Figurados where both ends narrow into tips. The most well-known are the cigars of Cuaba. This particular shape induces a slow start in order to positively prepare for the forthcoming smoking pleasures, especially the superb development of flavor in the last third of the cigar. It’s factory name is Exquisito. Smoking duration between 20 to 70 minutes, depending on length.	150 - 155	16 -17
Corona	Undisputedly the most popular of formats. The balance between quantity of smoke and development of flavor is felt by many as ideal. Duration of enjoyment up to 60 minutes.	130 -170	15 - 18.5
Corona Grande	Somewhat longer than the Corona. It’s factory name is the same: Corona Grande. Duration: up to 60 minutes. Examples: Cohiba Corona Grande, Quai d’Orsay Gran Corona, Hoyo de Monterrey des Dieux.	150 - 155	16 -17
Robusto Hermoso No. 4	Today the Robusto is extremely popular and represents a new generation of cigars. It has a relatively quick burn, but produces a sumptuous volume of smoke and flavor as a result of it’s thickness. It’s factory name is also Robusto. Examples: Cohiba Robusto, Ramon Allones Specially Selected, Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2. The size Hermoso No. 4 is somewhat thinner, but longer. Smoking pleasure between 45 – 50 minutes.	112 - 140	19 -22
Petit Corona	With a length of about 110 mm, it is an ideal cigar for “in between”, if one enjoys a milder smoke. The burn is usually better than the small-sized Panatelas. Factory name: Mareva. Duration about 25 minutes.	102 - 127	15 - 18.5
Très Petit Corona Demi Corona	A small format with a mid-sized diameter. The burn is usually better than the small-sized Panatellas. A bitterness is seldom expected in this ring size and the flavors are able to develop well. Factory name: Perla, and in Cuba also known as Minuto. 20 minutes of smoking pleasure. Examples are Punch Petit Punch, San Cristobal El Principe, Partagas Shorts, Montecristo No. 5.	100 - 125	15 - 17
Demi Tasse	The measurements and burn are very similar to the Half Corona. Due to the small diameter, there is a tendency towards bitterness. Factory name: Entreacto. Smoking duration about 15 minutes.	95 - 100	11 - 12
Chicos Cigarittos	These are small, thin cigars which are manufactured to the same quality standards that their big brothers and sisters are, namely with fillers, binders and wrappers. Due to their small girth, they sometimes exhibit a tendency towards bitterness. Factory name: Chico. Smoking duration approx. 10 minutes.	95 - 130	8 - 12
Culebra	An exotic, special size which is only found in the assortment of Romeo y Julieta and Partagas. These are three small cigars which are braided together.

The official Vitolas de Galera and corresponding Vitolas de Salida

Listed below are all factory-cigar sizes officially produced in Cuba, the so-called Vitolas de Galera. The cigars in each group have identical sizes. This allows to hold cigars-tastings with cigars of homogeneous size. In everyday's life by far not all of these vitolas can be found. Often cigars with similar sizes are pooled under one Vitola to simplify things. A Vegas Robaina Famoso then becomes a Robusto rather than a Hermoso No. 4.

GRAN CORONA (Gigante) Montecristo A Sancho Panza Sanchos	Ring gauge 47 (235mm x 18,65mm)
PROMINENTE (Double Corona) Vegas Robaina Don Alejandro Partagas Lusitanias Punch Double Coronas Hoyo de Monterrey Double Coronas	Ring gauge 49 (194mm x 19,45mm)
JULIETA (Churchill) Cohiba Esplendidos Romeo y Julieta Churchills Romeo y Julieta Prince of Wales Partagas Churchills de Luxe Punch Churchills H. Upmann Monarcas Hoyo de Monterrey Churchills Bolivar Coronas Gigantes H. Upmann Monarcas H. Upmann Sir Winston Saint Luis Rey Churchills Sancho Panza Coronas Gigantes	Ring gauge 47 (178mm x 18,65mm)
PIRAMIDE (Torpedo) Vegas Robaina Unicos Montecristo No. 2 H. Upmann No. 2	Ring gauge 52 (156mm x 20,64mm)
CORONA GORDA (Corona) Cohiba Linea 1492 Siglo IV Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No.3 Punch Punch Punch Royal Selection No. 11 Punch Super Selection No. 2 Punch Black Prince Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 1 H. Upmann Magnum 46 H. Upmann Super Coronas Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 1 Rey del Mundo Gran Corona	Ring gauge 46 (143mm x 18,26mm)
CAMPANA (Belicoso) San Cristobal de La Habana La Punta Romeo y Julieta Belicosos Bolivar Belicosos Finos Sancho Panza Belicosos	Ring gauge 52 (140mm x 20,64mm)
FIGURADO
Cuaba Divinos	Ring gauge 43 (101mm x 17,03mm) (PETIT BOUQUET)
Cuaba Tradicionales	Ring gauge 42 (120mm x 16,64mm) (FAVORITO)
Cuaba Generosos	Ring gauge 42 (132mm x 16,64mm) (GENEROSO)
HERMOSO NO. 4 Vegas Robaina Famosos Romeo y Julieta Exhibicion No. 4 H. Upmann Connoisseur No. 1 Rey del Mundo Choix Supreme Saint Luis Rey Regios	Ring gauge 48 (127mm x 19,05mm)
ROBUSTO Cohiba Robusto Partagas Serie D No. 4 Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure No. 2 Bolivar Royal Coronas Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 Ramon Allones Specially Selected	Ring gauge 50 (124mm x 19,84mm)
DALIA Cohiba Linea 1492 Siglo V Partagas 8-9-8 (Varnished) Partagas de Partagas No. 1 Bolivar Inmensas Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No. 2 Ramon Allones 8-9-8	Ring gauge 43 (170mm x 17,07mm)
CERVANTE (Lonsdale) Vegas Robaina Classicos Montecristo No. 1 Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No. 1 H. Upmann Upmann No. 1 Rey del Mundo Lonsdales Rafael Gonzales Lonsdales Saint Luis Rey Lonsdales Sancho Panza Molinos	Ring gauge 42 (165mm x 16,67mm)
CORONA GRANDE Cohiba Linea 1492 Siglo III Montecristo Tubos Romeo y Julieta Coronas Grandes Partagas 8-9-8 (Non Varnished) Punch Super Selection No. 1 Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo des Dieux Quai d'Orsay Gran Coronas	Ring gauge 42 (155mm x 16,67mm)
CORONA Vegas Robaina Familares Montecristo No. 3 Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No. 2 Romeo y Julieta Coronas Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Roi Saint Luis Rey Coronas Sancho Panza Coronas	Ring gauge 42 (142mm x 16,67mm)
NACIONAL Romeo y Julieta Romeo No. 1 Partagas Partagas de Luxe H. Upmann Especiales Quintero Nacionales Quintero Brevas	Ring gauge 40 (140mm x 15,87mm)
MAREVA (Petit Corona) Cohiba Linea 1492 Siglo II Montecristo No. 4 Partagas Mille Fleurs Partagas Petit Coronas Romeo y Julieta Romeo No. 2 Romeo y Julieta Romeo No. 2 de Luxe Romeo y Julieta Cedros de Luxe No. 3 Punch Coronation Punch Royal Selection No. 12 Punch Petit Coronas H. Upmann Kings Cello Rafael Gonzalez Petit Coronas Por Larranaga Lolas en Cedro Cello Juan Lopez Petit	Ring gauge 42 (129mm x 16,67mm)
PETIT CETRO Partagas Parisianos Partagas Petit Partagas Cello Punch Exquisitos Cello Hoyo de Monterrey Exquisitos Cello Fonseca Cosacas	Ring gauge 40 (129mm x 15,87mm)
STANDARD Fonseca Delicias Quintero Londres Extra	Ring gauge 40 (123mm x 15,87mm)
MINUTO San Cristobal de La Habana El Principe	Ring gauge 42 (110mm x 16,67mm)
PERLA Cohiba Linea 1492 Siglo I Montecristo No. 5	Ring gauge 40 (102mm x 15,87mm)
LAGUITO NO. 1 Trinidad Fundadores	Ring gauge 38 (192mm x 15,08mm)
LAGUITO NO. 1 ESPECIAL Cohiba Lanceros Montecristo Especiales Partagas Serie du Connoisseur No. 1 Rey del Mundo Grandes de Espana Vegueros Especiales No.1	Ring gauge 40 (192 x 15,87mm)
NINFA 33 Punch Ninfas	Ring gauge 33 (178mm x 13,10mm)
LAGUITO NO. 2 Cohiba Coronas Especiales Montecristo Especial No. 2 Vegueros Especiales No. 2	Ring gauge 38 (152mm x 15,08mm)
VEGUERITO La Flor de Cano Preferidos Quintero Panetelas	Ring gauge 37 (127mm x 14,29mm)
BELVEDERES Partagas Belvederes Bolivar Belvederes	Ring gauge 39 (125mm x 15,48mm)
SEOANE Cohiba Exquisitos Vegueros Seoanes	Ring gauge 36 (125mm x 14,29mm)
FRANCISCANO Punch Petit Coronation Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Coronation	Ring gauge 40 (116mm x 15,87mm)
LAGUITO NO. 3 Cohiba Panetelas Montecristo Joyitas	Ring gauge 26 (115mm x 10,32mm)
CADETE H. Upmann Petit Upmann Fonseca KDT Cadete	Ring gauge 36 (115mm x 14,29mm)
CHICOS Partagas Chicos Bolivar Chicos Quintero Puritos	Ring gauge 29 (106mm x 11,51mm)
ENTREACTO (Demi Tasse) Romeo y Julieta Petit Julietas Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Maire Bolivar Demi Tasse	Ring gauge 30 (100mm x 11,91mm)
BRITANICAS Romeo y Julieta Celestiales Finos	Ring gauge 46 (137mm x 18,26mm)
FRANCISCOS Bolivar Coronas Extra	Ring gauge 44 (143mm x 17,46mm)
GORDITO San Cristobal de La Habana La Fuerza	Ring gauge 50 (141mm x 19,84mm)
PACO San Cristobal de La Habana El Morro	Ring gauge 49 (180mm x 19,45mm)
CORONITAS Romeo Regalias de Londres Cello Partagas Coronas Junior H. Upmann Aromaticos Cello H. Upmann Singulares	Ring gauge 40 (117mm x 15,87mm
CRISTALES La Flor de Cano Selectos	Ring gauge 41 (150mm x 16,27mm)
CAZADORES Fonseca No. 1 Romeo y Julieta Cazadores Jose L. Piedra Cazadores	Ring gauge 44 (162mm x 17,46mm)
TOPPERS Partagas Toppers	Ring gauge 39 (160mm x 15,48mm)
TRABUCOS Hoyo de Monterrey Hoyo du Depute	Ring gauge 38 (110mm x 15,08mm)
ALMUERZOS Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo du Prince	Ring gauge 40 (130mm x 15,87mm)
DELICADO Gloria Cubana Medaille d'Or No. 1	Ring gauge 36 (185mm x 14,29mm)
CARLOTAS Partagas Serie du Connoisseur No. 3	Ring gauge 35 (143mm x 13,89mm)
PAREJOS Partagas Serie du Connoisseur No. 2	Ring gauge 38 (166mm x 15,08mm)
INFANTES Partagas Petit Bouquet Cello	Ring gauge 37 (98mm x 14,68mm)
SPORTS Romeo y Julieta Panetelas Romeo y Julieta Sport	Ring gauge 35 (117mm x 13,89mm)
PALMAS Hoyo de Monterrey Le Hoyo de Gourmet	Ring gauge 33 (170mm x 13,10mm)
DELICIOSOS Por Larranaga Montecarlos Cello

The ABC of Cigar Shapes and Sizes

Formats and Tobacco-Leaf Sizes

The most common Formats

The official Vitolas de Galera and corresponding Vitolas de Salida

FIGURADO