Over the course of your smoking tenure, you will no doubt sample a variety of cigar types, shapes, and sizes. Cigar sizes vary depending on the manufacturer and country, but there is an emerging industry standard regarding sizing. In the U.S. and Canada, you will typically see cigar length represented in inches, and girth represented in ring size — or 64ths of inches.
» More on Cigar Shapes & Sizes
Color
Color refers to the shade of the wrapper — the outer leaf of the cigar. In the U.S. and Canada, varying shades of wrapper are used — traditionally falling in (or close to) one of the following categories:
- Double Claro is a light green wrapper
- Claro is a light tan wrapper
- Natural is a light brown to brown wrapper
- Colorado is a brown to reddish-brown wrapper
- Maduro is a dark brown wrapper
- Oscuro is a black-shade wrapper
Cut, Snip, or Punch?
Hand-rolled cigars come with a sealed foot, which is a term for the end of the cigar that goes in your mouth. There are several different methods by which the smoker can open a cigar without damaging the delicate wrapper. A sometimes controversial topic, each smoker will come to determine which method is best for their needs.
Storing Your Cigars
The casual smoker will be content letting their local tobacconist worry about humidification and storage. However, if you plan to keep cigars on hand for any length of time (even for only a few days), you’ll want to invest in a humidor. Humidors come in all shapes, sizes, and prices, but they all share one common goal: holding consistent temperature and humidity to keep cigars fresh and supple.
The Layman's Cigar 