Types of Cigars: The Styles and the Sizes

For the new smoker, different styles and sizes of cigars can appear mind-boggling.  It helps to recognize that every cigar can be segregated into two general categories:  parejos and figurados.

Parejos refers to cigars that are essentially straight and they are subdivided into three categories:  coronas, panatelas, and lonsdales.  Coronas come in a smorgasbord of styles and noted brands.  They are known as cigars with an 'open foot' (or tip) and a rounded head.  Panatelas are generally lengthier than coronas and are more slender.  Lonsdales are also lengthier than coronas, but are slimmer than the panatela. 

The second category is comprised of the figurados.  Figurados denotes cigars that are irregular or somehow hand-shaped so that they are not purely straight.  The smallest of figurados are the belicoso cigars, which are known for a larger foot and a smaller, rounded head.  The other basic figurado cigar is the pyramid, which has a pointed head that tapers to a large foot.  The perfecto is a figurado cigar that is tapered on both the head and foot, with a more slender middle.  The largest figurado is the diademas, known as the 'giant' of cigars because it is always eight inches or more.

Now that you've chosen your cigar, what are the steps to enjoying your cigar?