Last week we talked about cigar wrapper classifications and how to determine what kinds of wrappers you see. Today we will be providing some information on cigar sizes. Sizes can be a bit more confusing because there are so many, ranging from Double Corona to Lonsdale to Cigarillos, which correspond to the approximate length and width of the cigar.
Cigar sizes can really define the type of occasion. Maybe for a light evening after-dinner-smoke you’d prefer something small like a cigarillo, and maybe for a backyard BBQ you’d prefer something large like a churchill. Whatever the event, there are many varieties to choose from. It really depends on what feels comfortable to your fingers and mouth.
Cigar size names such as “corona” or “panatela” have specific meanings to the cigar industry, although there is no formally agreed-to standard for any given size. Some cigar brands may classify each differently.
The following table lists 20 well-known shapes, and is adapted from Paul Garmirian’s explanation of sizes in The Gourmet Guide to Cigars.
| Shape | Classical Length x Ring | Length range | Ring range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giant | 9 x 52 | 8 & up | 50 & up |
| Double Corona | 7 3/4 x 49 | 6 3/4 x 7 3/4 | 49-54 |
| Churchill | 7 x 47 | 6 1/2-7 | 46-48 |
| Perfecto | none | all | all |
| Pyramid | 7 x 36->54 | all | flared |
| Torpedo | 6 1/2 x 52 | all | tapered |
| Toro | 6 x 50 | 5 5/8-6 5/8 | 48-54 |
| Robusto | 5 x 50 | 4 1/2-5 1/2 | 48-54 |
| Grand Corona | 6 1/2 x 46 | 5 5/8-6 5/8 | <45-47 |
| Corona Extra | 5 1/2 x 46 | 4 1/2-5 1/2 | 45-47 |
| Giant Corona | 7 1/2 x 44 | 7 1/2 & up | 42-45 |
| Lonsdale | 6 1/2 x 42 | 6 1/2-7 1/4 | 40-44 |
| Long Corona | 6 x 42 | 5 7/8-6 3/8 | 40-44 |
| Corona | 5 1/2 x 42 | 5 1/4-5 3/4 | 40-44 |
| Petit Corona | 5 x 42 | 4-5 | 40-44 |
| Long Panatela | 7 1/2 x 38 | 7 & up | 35-39 |
| Panatela | 6 x 38 | 5 1/2-6 7/8 | 35-39 |
| Short Panatela | 5 x 38 | 4-5 3/8 | 35-39 |
| Slim Panatela | 6 x 34 | 5 & up | 30-34 |
| Small Panatela | 5 x 33 | 4-5 | 30-34 |
| Cigarillos | 4 x 26 | 6 & less | 29 & less |
