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Cigar Size & Shape:
The size of a cigar is measured by its length and “RG” or ring gauge (the diameter of the cigar). One ring size is equivalent to 1/64th of an inch. In general, the larger the ring size, the cooler a cigar will burn which normally yields a fuller and more complex a flavor.
When reading descriptions about cigars you will see numbers like 7x50 or 6x47. The first number normally designates the length of the cigar, thus a 5x32 cigar is a cigar which is 5 inches long and 32rg in thickness (1/2 inch thick). The size of the cigar will also affect the body when smoked. You might like a certain cigar that is 5x50, but the same exact tobacco blend/cigar in a 4x32 size will have a different taste. If you smoke 50rg cigars and suddenly switch to a thin cigar, you may still tend to draw just as heavy on the thin cigar. Same air flow + smaller cigar = the cigar heating up like a hot coal and the overall body and taste of the cigar will be drastically changed versus you taking a light easy draw on it.
While it sounds complicated, you will notice real quick if you are overheating your cigar because it becomes bitter and the smoke gets hot in your mouth upon inhaling. If it happens very often, you should consider a thicker cigar to accommodate your heavy draw. Unfortunately, a cigar will normally retain that bitter flavor because it was drawn through the length of the cigar. After some experience with different sizes, you will find one that is both comfortable in your mouth and how heavy you normally draw on the cigar.
Cigar Color:
Not only do you have the origin of the tobacco, and the size factor, you also have different shades of tobacco to experience.
Double Claro – a light green wrapper and a very mild flavor.
Claro – a light tan wrapper and a smooth, mild flavor.
Natural – a light brown to brown. It is a little fuller bodied than the Claro.
Colorado - reddish dark brown, with a robust, rich flavor.
Colorado Maduro – a dark brown wrapper with a rich, aromatic flavor.
Maduro – is very dark brown, and usually has a strong, sweet flavor.
Oscuro - the darkest maduro wrapper, oscuro is almost black and is stronger than the lighter maduro wrappers.
While those are the most common descriptions, some manufacturers have ventured into combining two wrappers to make the outside layer of the cigar. CAO created the MX2 cigar which combined two Maduro wrappers on each cigar. End result….well, you should give one a try and find out!
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