Cigars come with their own vocabulary, and the shelf at a smoke shop can feel crowded if you do not know the terms. This guide to cigars and cigarillos in Houston explains how sizes work, what flavors to expect, and how to store what you buy. (Tobacco products are for adults 21 and over, and cigars carry real health risks.)
Cigars vs. Cigarillos: What’s the Difference?
Both are tobacco rolled in tobacco-based wrapper, but they are different products in practice. A cigar is typically larger, made to be smoked slowly over a longer session, and sold individually or in boxes. Cigarillos are smaller and slimmer, and are often sold in packs, sometimes in flavored versions. If you want a short smoke, cigarillos are the usual starting point. If you want a longer, slower experience, look at cigars.
Understanding Cigar Sizes
Cigar size is described with two numbers, and once you know them the labels become readable.
Length and Ring Gauge
Length is measured in inches. Ring gauge is the diameter, measured in 64ths of an inch, so a 50 ring gauge cigar is 50/64 of an inch thick. Thicker cigars generally burn cooler and slower, while thinner ones can feel more concentrated in flavor.
Common Cigar Shapes
These names are called vitolas, and the sizes below are approximate, because makers vary.
- Corona: about 5½ to 6 inches long, with a ring gauge in the low 40s. A classic, balanced shape.
- Robusto: about 5 inches long with a ring gauge around 50. A popular beginner size that smokes in a moderate amount of time.
- Toro: about 6 inches long with a ring gauge around 50. A little longer than a robusto.
- Churchill: about 7 inches long with a ring gauge in the high 40s. A long, slow smoke.
- Gordo: about 6 inches long with a ring gauge of 60 or more. Thick and slow-burning.
If you are unsure, a robusto is a reasonable first pick, because it is neither too small to judge nor too long to finish.
Cigar Flavors: Strength vs. Taste
Beginners often mix up strength and flavor, but they are different. Strength is how much nicotine kick the cigar delivers. Flavor is what you taste. A cigar can be full of flavor and still be mild, and a strong cigar is not automatically a better one.
Wrapper Shades and What They Taste Like
The outer leaf, called the wrapper, has a large effect on taste.
- Connecticut (light tan): usually mild and creamy, often a good starting point.
- Natural or Habano (medium brown): commonly more spice and richness.
- Maduro (dark brown): often sweeter, with notes like cocoa or coffee.
- Oscuro (very dark): typically bold and full-bodied.
Common Flavor Notes
People often describe cigars with notes such as cedar, coffee, cocoa, nuts, leather, and pepper. Treat these as a vocabulary for comparing cigars, not a promise about any one product, and trust your own palate.
Flavored Cigarillos
Many cigarillos are sold in flavored varieties. If you prefer a sweeter, lighter profile, ask the staff which options they have.
How to Store Cigars So They Stay Fresh
Cigars are made of leaf, and they dry out or turn harsh if stored badly. Storage is where many beginners lose their cigars.
Why Humidity Matters
A commonly cited target is roughly 65% to 72% relative humidity at about 70°F. Too dry and the cigar burns hot and tastes flat. Too damp and it can burn unevenly or develop mold. Because air conditioning can dry out a room, do not rely on room air to keep them right.
Humidors and Alternatives
A humidor is a sealed box, often lined with Spanish cedar, that holds a humidity source and a hygrometer to measure it. A new humidor needs to be seasoned before use, so follow the maker’s instructions. If you only keep a few cigars for a short time, a sealed container or bag with a humidity pack can work as a stopgap.
Storage Mistakes to Avoid
Do not leave cigars in a hot car, in direct sunlight, or in the open air for days. Keep them away from strong odors, because they absorb scents.
Cutting and Lighting Your First Cigar
Cut the cap with a straight cutter, a V-cutter, or a punch, taking off only a small amount so the wrapper does not unravel. Toast the foot with a butane lighter or cedar spill, turn the cigar so it lights evenly, and then draw gently. Cigar smoke is traditionally not inhaled like cigarette smoke, so take it in your mouth and release it.
Shop Cigars and Cigarillos in Houston
If you would like to browse in person, A to Z Smoke Shops has three Houston locations open 24/7:
- Wilcrest Dr: 8200 Wilcrest Dr, Houston, TX 77072 — 281-506-8891
- Winkler Dr: 8359 Winkler Dr, Houston, TX 77017 — 346-406-5089
- Broadway St: 8316 Broadway St, Houston, TX 77061 — 281-380-2021
Use our Houston smoke shop location link to find the closest store, or the Airport Smoke and Vape listing if you are near the south side. Selection varies by store, so call ahead and ask what cigars and cigarillos are in stock.
The Short Version
Learn the two size numbers, separate strength from flavor, start with a mild wrapper in a robusto if you are unsure, and store cigars at steady humidity away from heat. Do those four things and the rest becomes easy to learn as you go.
