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| Parejos y Figurados |
Cigars are an incredibly basic pursuit, which makes them so
easy to get interested in. They’re also
one of the most complex animals out there, which is why they fascinate me and
are a ton of fun to learn about and enjoy.
But, at their core, there are just a few basics characteristics that are
inherent to all cigars across the gamut of price and strength.
All cigars fit into two basic shape classifications: parejo
or figurado. Parejos y figurados. Parejos have parallel sides, which seems like
a similar word in English, although parejo really means equal. So, parejos have equal, or parallel, sides.
Figurados are not shaped like parejos in that their sides
taper or have a shape to them. Figurado
means shape or figure. So, a straight
sided cigar is a parejo. A non-parallel
sided cigar is a figurado. Parejos have
a fairly blunt, rounded cap. There can
become gray areas based on non-standard shaped caps, like a twisted head, such
as on the Nica Rustica. For a reasonable
interpretation though, unless the cap has a significantly shaped taper, such as
a belicoso or torpedo, it is safe to assume that the shape of the cigar would
still be considered a parejo, like a Churchill.
There are many nuances to the smoking experience, feel in
hand, and potential impact on flavor profile that the shape of the cigar can
have. We’ll delve into that in the future,
perhaps with a parallel review of the same brand and blend in different shapes. But in the mean time, what’s the shape of the
cigar you’re going to smoke next? Or,
better yet, take a look in your humidor.
Do you find you favor a particular shape?
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