When buying a cigar, the main things to consider are origin and size.
---------- ORIGIN ----------Where a cigar is made has a lot to do with how it will taste and what characteristics you will notice while smoking it. Currently there are many places in the world making top-notch smokes.
• Dominican Republic• Honduras
• Nicaragua
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Jamaica
• USA
Each of these regions produces what are considered world-class cigars. What makes a cigar from Honduras different than a cigar from Brazil is essentially the soil, and how the tobacco is grown before it is harvested. The climate in these countries is perfect for the growing and cultivating of tobacco. It also doesn’t hurt to have generations of expert rollers who know what to do with the stuff once it’s been harvested.
---------- SIZE ----------The size of a cigar can determine how much tobacco was used to create it, what kinds of flavors it will give off, and how long it will take you to smoke it. Generally, there are 10 major cigar sizes you will see. The list below is arranged from largest to smallest.
- Double Corona – Length: 7.5-8″ - Ring Gauge: 47-52
- Churchhill – Length: 7″ - Ring Gauge: 46-50
- Torpedo - Length: 6.5″ – Ring Gauge: 50-52
- Toro - Length: 6″ - Ring Gauge: 50
- Belicoso - Length: 5-6″ - Ring Gauge: 49-54
- Robusto - Length: 4.5-5″ - Ring Gauge: 48-52
- Lonsdale – Length: 6.5″ - Ring Gauge: 40-44
- Corona – Length: 6.5″ - Ring Gauge: 40-44
- Petit Corona - Length: 5-5.5″ - Ring Gauge: 40-44
- Panatela - Length: 6″ - Ring Gauge: 26-38