Cigar Sizes and Their Relation to Smoking Times

Taste, shape, and size are all key to choosing the finding the perfect cigar to suit an occasion. All cigars are intended to be savoured but you could be looking at a smoking time of 90 minutes or as little as 15 minutes depending on the size of the cigar you choose.

There is a definite argument to be made in favour of carefully fitting your cigar selection with the time of day, type of event and the ambiance.

Smaller sizes such as the Petite Corona and Rothschild are indicated as more appropriate as a quick after-dinner smoke (25 minutes) whilst larger cigars such as the Gigante and Presidente are suitable for lengthy events.

Other Cigar sizes from longest smoking time to shortest smoking time:

• Gigante, Presidente or Immensa have the longest potential smoking time of 60 to 90 minutes.
• Double Coronas, Lonsdales and Churchhills will smoke for about 45 minutes to 60 minutes
• Corona Royale (also known as Corona Extra) and Belicoso (simil ar to the Lonsdales but with a pointed cone-shaped head) lasts around 40 minutes.
• Pantela and Toro approximately 35 to 45 minutes of smoking time
• The standard Corona cigar lasts between 30 and 45 minutes.
• The Petite Belicoso and Petite Corona both have relatively short smoking times of about 25 minutes
• Robusto and Rothschild also last about 25 minutes but can last up to double that time if you come across a slow-burner
• And coming in last with the shortest smoking times you will find Belvedere, Demitasse and the Ascot at 15 to 20 minutes

After a light lunch or in the morning most smokers prefer cigars which are mild and smaller. An experienced smoker may which to go for a cigar which packs in a lot of flavour in a relatively short time, like a Robusto, after a heavy lunch.

Generally most seasoned cigar enthusiasts enjoy a large, full bodied cigar late at night or after a heavy meal such as a Churchhill or double corona. Mild cig ars are rarely satisfying in such cases. On the flip side of the coin a heavy cigar before a meal or with a strong drink is likely to interfere with your taste and enjoyment of your meal or after-dinner port.

There is a case to be made about what sort of cigar to smoke at what time of day. Try different cigars in similar situations such as time of day, accompanying meal to find out which ones work for you.