Classification of Habanos

Here are the main shapes and sizes that it is useful to know about.

Habanos come in lengths from under 4 inches (100mm) to over 9 inches (230mm).

The industry standard measure for diameter is known as ‘ring gauge’ and is expressed in 64th of an inch, although some countries prefer to use millimetres. Ring gauges vary from 26 (i.e. 26⁄64 th of an inch or 10.32mm) to 57 (i.e. 57⁄64 of an inch or 22.62mm).

In Cuba, the sizes are called vitolas. The vitola de galera is the size name the factories use – the factory name. The vitola de salida is the size name you find on a box – the market name. Sometimes the market name is the same as the factory name, but not often.

The same size is often known by different market names in different brands, and different brands may sometimes use the same market name for different sizes. On top of this, some vitolas have popular generic names like ‘torpedo’.

Popular Name: Petit Corona

Dimensions: 5 1/8 ins x 42 ring gauge, or 129 mm x 16.67 mm diameter.

The Mareva is by far the most popular of all the sizes. Its 42 ring gauge allows three filler leaves to be used to their full in the blend and it is as near as you get to a ‘standard’ girth for Habanos. The Mareva or Petit Corona offers around 30 minutes of smoking pleasure.

Popular Name: Corona

Dimensions: 5 5/8 ins x 42 ring gauge, or 142 mm x 16.67 mm diameter.

A Corona is the size to crown a memorable dinner, or perhaps to give you time for contemplation on a busy day. With the same girth as the Mareva, it offers over half an hour of essential relaxation.

Popular Name: Lancero

Dimensions: 7 1/2 ins x 38 ring gauge, or 192 mm x 15.08 mm diameter.

When elegance is the order of the day, the slender length of the Lancero is hard to beat. There is a shorter version too, the Coronas Especiales, which measures just 6 inches. Both originated at Havana’s El Laguito factory, the home of Cohiba, and boast the finesse of a twist of leaf on the cap. This one will take the best part of one hour to smoke.

Popular Name: Siglo VI

Dimensions: 5 7/8 ins x 52 ring gauge, or 150 mm x 20.64 mm diameter.

Many consider this to be the ultímate shape and size for a Habano. Today it is acknowledged for its excellent combustion that releases the full flavour of its filler blend during the hour or so it takes to smoke. This size was chosen for the first Gran Reserva Habano.

Popular Name: Petit Edmundo

Dimensions: 4 3/8 ins x 52 ring gauge, or 110 mm x 20.64 mm diameter.

The trend for heavy gauge cigars combined with a reduction in the amount of time available these days to enjoy them has seen the popularity of the Petit Edmundo – as well as similar sizes like Petit Robusto– increase. It burns well whilst drenching the palate with flavour for the 20 to 25 minutes you should allow to smoke it.

Popular Name: Edmundo

Dimensions: 5 1/3 ins x 52 ring gauge, or 135 mm x 20.64 mm diameter.

The Edmundo is part of a group of heavy girth sizes that have grown in popularity in recent years. Halfway between a robusto and a Cañonazo, it commands a loyal following for its good draw and balanced release of flavour for the 50 minutes or so it takes to smoke.

Popular Name: Churchill

Dimensions: 7 ins x 47 ring gauge, or 178 mm x 18.65mm diameter.

Originally from the Romeo y Julieta factory. It is said that Winston Churchill smoked some 300,000 Habanos during his long life. Not all matched these dimensions but this was his size of choice. Another feast for the palate to be enjoyed for over an hour.

Popular Name: Double Corona

Dimensions: 7 5/8 ins x 49 ring gauge, or 194 mm x 19.45 mm diameter.

When time allows, there are few experiences for the taste buds to match the steady revelations of a Double Corona. Its colossal leaves may surprise you at first with their delicacy before they build to a crescendo of flavour. A good hour and a quarter is needed to smoke one.

Popular Name: Robusto

Dimensions: 4 7/8 ins x 50 ring gauge, or 124 mm x 19.84 mm diameter.

Modern constraints on time have made this stocky shape the first choice for many experienced smokers. Slow burning and packed with flavour, most of the joys of a really large cigar can be savoured in 30 to 40 minutes.

Popular Name: Torpedo

Dimensions: 61⁄8 ins x 52 ring gauge, or 156 mm x 20.64 mm diameter.

The sizes shown so far are what is called parejo or straight-sided. This is a figurado. Many believe that the Piramide or Torpedo, with its tapered head and shoulders, has special advantages when it comes to combustibility during the hour or so it takes to smoke.

Popular Name: Double Figurado

Dimensions: 5 3/4 ins x 46 ring gauge, or 145 mm x 18.26 mm diameter. 
Pointed at both ends, this Double Figurado shape is perhaps a better candidate for the title of ‘torpedo’. A century ago most Habanos looked like this but today the shape is rare except in one brand – Cuaba, where every size is Double Figurado.

Popular Name: Tres Petit Corona (TPC)

Dimensions: 4 ins x 40 ring gauge, or 102 mm x 15.87 mm diameter.

The Perla is one of a group of smaller vitolas, some a little longer, others a little fatter than this one. They share the ability to deliver the true taste of a Habano in 20 minutes or so.

Popular Name: Panetela

Dimensions: 4 .ins x 26 ring gauge, or 115 mm x 10.32 mm diameter

A quarter of an hour will suffice to smoke this tiny example of the Torcedor’s art. Perfect, for instance, to enjoy during an interval at the theatre. In fact one similar vitola is called the Entreacto, literally ‘between acts’.