Cigars vs. Cigarillos

When it comes to enjoying tobacco, the debate of cigarillo vs. cigar is more than a matter of size. It is about the experience, purpose and personal preference. While both deliver rich, tobacco-forward moments, they differ greatly in flavor complexity, smoking time and construction. You are looking at two distinct approaches to enjoying tobacco. One is rooted in ritual and complexity, the other in convenience and immediacy.

Whether you are new to the world of premium tobacco or refining your palate, understanding these differences can help you choose the format that best matches your taste and lifestyle.

Understanding Cigars

Cigar smoking traces back to the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean and Central America, who wrapped tobacco in palm or plantain leaves. Over the centuries, cigars have become intertwined with moments of celebration, shared camaraderie and personal reflection. Cigars are made of tightly rolled bundles of fermented and aged tobacco leaves. Tobacco leaves influence the cigar's flavor profile and vary according to region, soil, climate and cutting technique. 

The main leaves used in cigars are the ligero, seco and volado. Ligero leaves grow at the top of the plant. They burn slowly and are used as fillers for their boldness and complexity. Seco leaves sit mid-plant, and they are thick, oily and strong. These leaves bring aroma and smoothness to a cigar. Volado leaves are grown at the base. They burn well and support combustion, making these leaves essential for the cigar's structure.

What Is the Size and Construction of a Cigar?

“Vitola” refers to a cigar's shape and size. Traditional premium cigars have a parejo shape — they're cylindrical with a rounded, capped end and an open foot. Figurados like The Tabernacle Goliath Perfecto taper and bulge, creating a unique presentation and smoking effect. 

Cigar size impacts the smoking time and flavor complexity. Cigars are measured by two dimensions — length in inches and ring gauge. The ring gauge is the diameter, measured in 64ths of an inch. Common sizes include:

• Robusto: A Robusto is about 5 inches, like the Montecristo Classic Robusto. The cigar has a balanced flavor with mild to medium strength, making this short and stout stogie good for beginners.
• Corona: Corona, including the Padron Anniversary 1964 Natural Corona, is the cigar benchmark size. Their dimensions range between 5 ½ and 6 inches. 
• Toro: A Toro, like the Aladino Candela Toro, comes in at 6 inches. This specific example offers a natural sweetness from 100% Honduran tobacco in a Candela wrapper.
• Churchill: Typically, a Churchill like the Perdomo Double Aged 12 Year Vintage Connecticut Churchill extends to 7 inches, offering a longer, more leisurely smoke.

Construction matters as much as size. A well-made cigar is firm to the touch, burns evenly and draws smoothly. The filler in premium cigars consists of long, whole tobacco leaves. The binder is a tobacco leaf that holds the filler in place. It is stronger and less refined than the wrapper, but it is still crucial to the cigar's structure. Finally, there is the outermost leaf, which serves as the wrapper. It is often visually appealing and contributes significantly to the cigar's flavor and aroma.

How Are Premium Cigars Made?

Craftsmanship is at the heart of premium cigar production. After harvesting, tobacco leaves undergo curing and are typically air-dried in barns to remove moisture while developing color and aroma. Then comes fermentation, a natural process where heat and pressure release ammonia and other impurities to transform the leaf's chemical structure. This part of the process also tones down the leaf's raw bitterness, allowing flavors to deepen. 

High-quality tobacco leaves are aged for months or years, allowing complex flavors like cocoa, earth, wood and spice to naturally emerge. Master blenders then blend different leaves to create their signature blends. The rolling process is done by hand in traditional factories, or casas de tabaco, where skilled torcedores craft each cigar precisely. Using years of training and skill, the torcedor hand-selects, bunches and rolls tobacco leaves. Their technique ensures balance, consistency and the structural integrity needed for a premium smoking experience.

How Does Cigar Size Affect the Smoking Experience?

From the slow, complex evolution of a large Churchill to the sharp, focused intensity of a petite corona, a cigar's size directly impacts its flavor, strength, burn time and overall smoking experience. Here is how:

• Burn time: Size and ring gauge influence burn rate. Larger cigars burn slower, giving you a more extended, relaxing smoking session.
• Flavor complexity: Wider cigars allow for more filler tobacco, which gives you a richer blend and greater flavor complexity. The flavor evolves through thirds, which is noticeable.
• Strength: Thicker cigars burn cooler and slower, which mellows strong tobaccos despite the cigar containing a lot of tobacco.
• Draw: The size affects how air moves through the cigar. Larger ring gauges offer a looser draw, resulting in more smoke per puff.
• Wrapper: The lower wrapper-to-filler ratio in a cigar gives you a broader flavor profile, so you taste less of the wrapper leaf's influence.

Understanding Cigarillos

Cigarillos, meaning "little cigars," trace back to 18th-century Europe, serving as a more accessible alternative to regular cigars. They were favored by soldiers, artists and intellectuals for their convenience and rich flavor. Cigarillos are made of the same tobacco leaves as cigars, but the construction and materials may vary. They are shorter, slimmer and designed for quick enjoyment. Premium cigarillos use natural tobacco wrappers and short filler, which is shredded tobacco leaves that provide flavor and structure. 

Mass-market cigarillos often use homogenized tobacco wrappers or reconstituted tobacco, which are machine-pressed from pulp and binders. These lower the cost but compromise complexity and nuance. Flavored options include infused tobacco to introduce notes like vanilla, cherry, rum or chocolate. Flavors like these enhance appeal and accessibility for casual smokers.

What Is the Size and Construction of a Cigarillo?

Cigarillos like the Davidoff Nicaragua Mini Cigarillo are typically 3 to 4 inches long. Their size shortens smoking time, which is ideal for brief moments of relaxation. Cigarillos fall into a few main categories:

• Flavored: Infused with sweet or exotic tastes, like Tatiana Groovy Blue Cigarillos, flavored cigarillos are popular among casual smokers.
• Premium natural: Premium natural cigarillos like the Ashton Classic Cigarillos are often unflavored and use quality tobacco and natural wrappers.
• Filtered: Resembling cigarettes, filtered cigarillos include a built-in filter that delivers a smoother, more familiar draw. They offer convenience, especially if you are transitioning from cigarettes to cigar smoking.

How Are Cigarillos Made?

Hand-rolled cigarillos are rare, mostly reserved for premium brands prioritizing craftsmanship. Brands like Davidoff and Cohiba may involve hand-finished techniques to ensure better quality control. 

Machine-made cigarillos dominate the market, use dry-cured or nonhumidified tobacco leaves, and are highly consistent. Reputable brands still use aged tobacco to ensure your stogie has smooth flavors and to reduce bitterness. Cigarillos are often made with a replacement wrapper instead of a tobacco leaf and tend to have filters.

How Does Cigarillo Size Affect the Smoking Experience?

A cigarillo's small size means that it burns faster, so there is less time for the flavors to evolve like a full-size cigar. They also have a sharper profile, as smoke is more immediate and intense, with less flavor layering. Despite these differences, you can still expect to taste the essence of the blend from your favorite premium brands.

Key Differences Between Cigars and Cigarillos

Cigars and cigarillos look similar at a glance, and cigarillos are easily, but somewhat incorrectly, described as "mini cigars." However, the details reveal key differences between how they are made and how they are smoked. Knowing these distinctions can turn a casual choice into a deliberate and satisfying decision.

Category	Cigars	Cigarillos
Size	Larger, 5 to 7 inches, with a thicker ring gauge.	Smaller, 3 to 4 inches, with a slimmer profile.
Construction	Hand-rolled with a wrapper, binder and filler.	Usually machine-made with some hand-rolled options.
Tobacco Content	Packed with more tobacco, creating a full, rich flavor.	Has less tobacco, which creates a milder taste.
Flavor Complexity	Evolving, nuanced flavors.	Quick, intense flavor bursts.
Burn Rate	Slow, even burn.	Faster burn.
Nicotine Content	High, depending on cigar size and blend.	Moderate to high, depending on blend.
Inhalation	Typically not inhaled.	Traditionally not inhaled, but often is due to size.
Price Point	Higher, often over $10 per cigar.	Lower, often sold in packs that can start at $7 per pack.
Portability	Bulkier, requires a cutter and humidor for storage.	Pocket-friendly, no cutter or storage needed.

Which One Is Right for You?

Both cigars and cigarillos have a place in modern smoking culture. It doesn't have to be an either-or situation. Making the choice involves choosing a stogie that fits in the moment for you. Ask yourself these questions:

• How much time do you have to smoke?
• Do you want a bold or mild experience?
• Do you prefer subtle nuances or immediate satisfaction?
• Is this for a casual moment or a celebration?

The Cigar Smoking Experience

Smoking a cigar is a ritual. From the moment you cut the cap and toast the foot, you are engaging with craftsmanship. A premium cigar invites you to slow down, reflect and enjoy. The experience engages your senses — the aroma fills the room, the draw is deliberate, and the smoke lingers with body and nuance. It demands time, attention and a clean palate to enjoy a cigar at a celebration, pair it with spirits or relax after a meal.

Choose cigars if you value tradition, complexity and time to unwind. You are not in a rush. You are in it for the craftsmanship.

The Cigarillo Smoking Experience

Cigarillos offer a compact, fast-paced version of the cigar experience. You get a quick burst of flavor without the time commitment of a full cigar. They are perfect for a coffee break, a short walk or to wind down after work. Cigarillos are easy to light and often precut. You can typically smoke them casually without special tools. They are well-suited for new smokers looking for a lighter introduction, flavor-seekers who enjoy infused options and those with limited time.

Go with cigarillos if you want flavor on demand, less formality or something quick that still satisfies.

Accessories to Enhance Your Smoking Experience

The right accessories can significantly elevate your cigar or cigarillo smoking experience by improving convenience, flavor and the smoking ritual. Add these to your collection:

• Cutters: A bad cut can unravel a cigar wrapper or restrict draw, leading to an uneven burn. Cutters are essential for cigars, which do not come precut. You can choose between a V-cutter, guillotine, punch cutter and more.
• Lighters: Lighters are essential for both cigars and cigarillos. It is crucial to use the right lighter, as some types, like gas lighters, can distort the flavor profile. Opt for cedar matches, soft flame lighters or torch lighters.
• Humidor: Maintaining the right humidity levels is essential to preserve cigar freshness and flavor. You can also store premium cigarillos in a humidor long-term. 
• Ashtrays: Ashtrays are used for both cigars and cigarillos. They provide you with a clean, stable place to rest your smoke. Look for an ashtray with a deep basin and wide rest to accommodate various ring gauges.
• Cigar cases: Get a cigar case to protect your cigars and cigarillos during transport. From stylish leather cases to hard shell tubes, there are many ways to keep your cigars on hand.

Shop Cigars and Cigarillos With Corona Cigar Co.

Whether you are easing into cigar smoking or short on time, cigarillos offer a quick, approachable experience with a wide range of flavor and strength options. On the other hand, if you are drawn to depth, tradition and savoring time, cigars may be your match. Choosing between cigars and cigarillos depends on your preferences, lifestyle and what you want from the smoking experience. Both offer distinct advantages, and understanding their differences will help you find the right fit.

Corona Cigar Co. is the biggest, most user-friendly online cigar store and a proud board of directors member of the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers' Association (IPCPR). We stock all your favorite premium cigar and cigarillo brands, along with the necessary accessories to enhance your smoking experience. Shop our cigar deals to discover new flavor profiles, and enjoy fast, free shipping when you spend $125 or more. Alternatively, keep your hobby alive by signing up for the Cigars of the Month Club.