Deciphering Cigar Sizes and Nomenclature: A Complete Guide
Navigating the world of cigars can sometimes be a real headache, especially when it comes to understanding the sizes and various names assigned to these exceptional products. Between recurring names such as the famous Corona or Robusto and their sometimes ambiguous meanings, it is easy to get lost. This article aims to demystify everything you need to know about cigar sizing, addressing aspects such as:
- The cepo (diameter of the cigar)
- Length (in millimeters)
- La Vitola de Salida (commercial name)
- La Vitola de Galera (production name)
- Common names (Robusto, Corona, Panatela, Figurado, etc.)
If this already seems complex to you, don't panic, we will break down the information gradually. And to make things even more interesting, our exploration will include a detour into the fascinating history of the cigar.
The Different Types of Cigars
To simplify, cigars are categorized into two large families: parejos, which are straight-shaped cigars, and figurados, which designate all cigars of various shapes.
Examples:
- A Bolivar Royal Coronas represents a parejo.
- Conversely, a Bolivar Belicosos Finos is classified as a figurado.
Figurados come in several specific types, including belicosos, pyramids, torpedos and culebras, each with its own particularities.
Cigars and Modules
The term module, or vitola in Spanish (where our "vitola" comes from), refers to all the physical characteristics of a cigar, including its length, its diameter (or cepo) and its weight. These modules have specific names, such as Corona, Petit Corona, Panatela, Robusto, among others. In common parlance, the term "module" can also refer to the cigar itself, thus adding to the general confusion.
It is important to note that "modulus" refers to a specific combination of size and diameter.
Size of a Cigar and Cepo
Cigar size can be expressed in a simplified way, often in English, by the combination of length in inches and cepo, for example 6×60. Lengths are generally given in millimeters or inches, with one inch equaling 2.54 centimeters.
The cepo, for its part, is measured in 1/64th of an inch, providing precision on the diameter of the cigar. For Cuban cigars, the cepo generally ranges from 26 to 57, although some non-Cuban manufacturers offer cigars up to a cepo of 80.
Here is a simplified table of correspondence between the cepo (expressed in 1/64th of an inch) and its equivalent in millimeters, to help you visualize the standard sizes of cigars:
| Cepo (1/64th of an inch) | Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|
| 32 | 12.7 |
| 34 | 13.5 |
| 36 | 14.3 |
| 38 | 15.1 |
| 40 | 15.9 |
| 42 | 16.7 |
| 44 | 17.5 |
| 46 | 18.3 |
| 48 | 19.1 |
| 50 | 19.8 |
| 52 | 20.6 |
| 54 | 21.4 |
| 56 | 22.2 |
| 58 | 23.0 |
| 60 | 23.8 |
This table gives you a clear idea of cigar diameters according to cepo, making it easier to select your cigars based on your personal preferences for varied tasting experiences.
Can we trust the name of a cigar for its dimensions?
The trade name of a cigar does not necessarily indicate its dimensions. It is essential to distinguish between Vitola de Galera (production name) and Vitola de Salida (commercial name), as well as the common name of the format. For example, a cigar with the trade name "Royal Coronas" could be a Robusto according to its Vitola de Galera.
The History behind the Vitola de Galera
La Vitola de Galera, or production name, finds its origins in the cigar production rooms, formerly nicknamed "galeras" in reference to the galleys, due to the difficult working conditions. This name allows torcedores (cigar rollers) to know precisely the format to produce.
To remember
Each cigar is defined by three names: Vitola de Galera (production format), Vitola de Salida (commercial name) and the common name. These designations help navigate the vast world of cigars, providing benchmarks for aficionados while testifying to the richness and complexity of this ancestral art.
