2018 CA Report: 10 Best Short Cigars Worth Smoking

Ten of the Best Short Cigars Worth Smoking

By Gary Korb

Were you the one in your high school gym class who, when choosing teams, always got picked last because you were “the little guy?”

I know the feeling, and I’m 5’9. But that’s another story. . .

So, I’ve often wondered if short cigars suffer a similar bias, and from what I’ve seen, I think they do. It could be that a lot of cigar smokers think a short cigar won’t smoke long enough. Or maybe it’s that they just want more for their money. (Sure, in many cases a couple of dollars more will get you a bigger cigar.) Or, maybe short cigars just ain’t “cool” enough for some folks.

But you know what else?

Each size in any given cigar range has its own unique character. And why would manufacturers make them if there wasn’t a market for them? So, there may be a lot of cigars smokers who are missing out on something that may possibly taste even better than their regular, everyday Toros and Churchills.

To be perfectly honest. . .

Even I don’t smoke short cigars very often, but in recent months I’ve had a number of them recommended to me, and enjoyed many of them. That’s when I became curious about what else was out there in the “petite” format. Those, as well as some other short cigars I discovered, are in this list.

And another thing. . .

I once heard someone say, “Some people are six feet tall; it’s just that their bodies don’t know it.” The same can be said for short cigars. So, let’s take a closer look.

ACID Blondie

Size: 4″ x 38
Wrapper: Connecticut
Filler & Binder: Nicaraguan
Body: Medium

One of the most popular short cigars in the ACID stable. Although the Blondie is clad in a fair-haired Connecticut Shade wrapper, its Nicaraguan core tobaccos are infused with ACID’s signature herbals and botanicals. The result is a rich-tasting, medium-bodied smoke brimming with Nicaraguan earthiness, plenty of sweetness, and an ambrosial aroma. This favorite of ACID cigar fans also provides a scrumptious adventure for the cigar smoker seeking a truly unique premium cigar experience.

CAO Brazilia Piranha

Size: 4½” x 46
Wrapper: Brazilian Arapiraca
Filler & Binder: Nicaragua
Body: Full

Reputed by some to be a “strong cigar,” The CAO Brazilia Piranha is undoubtedly full-bodied, but I found it very smooth and non-overpowering. Earth, cedar, leather and nutmeg lead-off with only a modest amount of sweetness even though it’s rolled in a naturally-sweet Arapiraca wrapper. A rich espresso note enters the dense smoke mid-stage where a well-balanced brew of cedar, espresso, and peppery spice follow. Want even more pepper? Try retrohaling for an ample dose. If bold cigars are your thing the Piranha is a nice catch.

Fratello Oro Shorty

Size: 4″ x 58
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Filler: Colombia, Dominican Ligero, Nicaragua
Binder: Cameroon
Body: Medium

One of the most impressive short cigars in the list. Similar in shape to the popular Nub cigars, the Fratello Oro Shorty offers an ultra-creamy, medium-bodied smoke with mounds of flavor. Seamlessly rolled in a buttery Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, toasty notes of sweet cedar, roasted nuts, buttercream, and coffee prevail throughout with an equally appetizing aroma. Moreover, despite the Shorty’s 4-inch height, it’ll burn evenly for a full hour. Looking for the perfect pairing with this cigar? Smoke it with your morning coffee.

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Reserva Gran Consul

Size: 4¾” x 60 figurado
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habana Criollo
Filler & Binder: Nicaragua
Body: Full

Graced by its shimmering Criollo wrapper and tapered head, the Antaño 1970 Gran Reserva Gran Consul starts with a blast of chili pepper and leathery notes. Once it settles-down, the smoke is dense and creamy revealing a well-balanced, earthy-cedary-spicy flavor profile. Notes of coffee bean and the occasional hint of anise join-in; while on the palate, each puff leaves a long finish in its wake that simmers with cocoa, coffee and pepper. The final act transitions to an uber-robust banquet of sweet spice spiked with red pepper. Best after a full meal.

La Flor Dominicana Reserva Especiale El Jocko Maduro

Size: 4½” x 32/54 double perfecto
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Dominican Piloto Cubano
Binder: Nicaragua
Body: Medium

My favorite shape – the double perfecto. After taking a moment to admire this handsome little devil, the pre-light offers the spot-on flavor of raisins. Once lit, the El Jocko issues copious amounts of smoke with a distinctive cocoa note. From there the cigar settles into a well-balanced, earthy-woody treat with some subtle sweetness, while a retrohale reveals a note of tart fruit. At the fat midsection the flavors intensify, remaining consistent down to the nub. Extremely enjoyable, and great with coffee in the morning.

Nub Cameroon 460

Size: 4″ x 60
Wrapper: African Cameroon
Filler & Binder: Nicaragua
Body: Medium

A lustrous Cameroon wrapper sets the stage for this Nub 460. Even in color and silky to the touch, once lit, notes of earth and leather take the lead. The finish is long and creamy as the lush, medium-bodied smoke reveals some light spice and cedar on the palate. Some sweeter notes and roasted nuts enter at the midpoint as the layers of leather, cedar and spice dominate. An impressively complex cigar for its size, and a fine example of how well Cameroon wrapper blends with Nicaraguan fillers.

Oliva Serie V Melanio Petit Corona

Size: 4½” x 46
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Filler & Binder: Nicaragua (Estelí, Condega, Jalapa)
Body: Full

One of Oliva’s finest, the first few puffs of the Serie V Melanio Petit Corona open with a spicy smack of earth and red-pepper. The smoke eventually rounds-out to a well-balanced mix of cedar, caramel, sweet spices, and cocoa. When retrohaled, you’ll find a load of black pepper, but the finish is smooth and a bit dry with an appealing cocoa note. In the last act, the sweetness rolls away to reveal flavors of black coffee, cedar, spice, and leather. This is a very refined and complex smoke that more than makes up for its size in flavor.

Perdomo Cuban Parejo Rothschild Maduro

Size: 4¾” x 50
Wrapper: Broadleaf
Filler & Binder: Nicaragua
Body: Medium-Full

I’ve grown pretty partial to the sweetness in Perdomo’s Broadleaf maduro wrappers, and this stout little entry does not disappoint. The Cuban Parejo Rothschild opens with some stock Nicaraguan earthiness accompanied by notes of leather, roasted nuts, and sweet spice. The smoke has a velvety texture as the cigar settles into a medium-full groove. By the midpoint, notes of coffee bean and dark chocolate enter and mingle with the sweet spice. All-in-all, a well-balanced, full-flavored cigar that pairs well with bourbon, añejo dark rum, and coffee.

Sobremesa Short Churchill

Size: 4¾” x 48
Wrapper: La Meca Ecuador Habano #1 Rosado
Filler: Nicaraguan Condega Seco, Pueblo Nuevo Criollo Viso, Estelí Viso, Estelí Hybrid Ligero, U.S. Lancaster County-grown Pennsylvania Broadleaf Ligero
Binder: Mexican Matacapan Negro de Temoporal
Body: Full

The Sobremesa Short Churchill boasts a stunning Rosado wrapper that caps one of the most diverse tobacco blends ever described. The cold draw is woody, leathery and peppery, but when lit this short cigar virtually explodes with hearty notes of earthiness, oak, black coffee, and a hint of cocoa. The copious smoke is perfectly balanced welcoming flavors of sweet spices, espresso, almonds, leather and a hint of caramel. The retrohale is pretty much all pepper, with a vivid caramel note. All-in-all, a delectably full-flavored short cigar with an impressive flavor profile.

The Tabernacle Torpedo

Size: 4½” x 52
Wrapper: U.S.-grown Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Nicaragua (AJ Fernandez La Soledad farm-grown), Honduras
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Body: Full

Capped with an attractively dark Broadleaf wrapper, this sharp-looking cigar opens with a chili pepper-like zing, then settles down – but only briefly. Black pepper and earth dominate throughout, but notes of cocoa, cedar and leather enter to take some of the edge off. The smoke is dense, creamy and well-balanced, making what could’ve been an overpowering smoke into an enjoyably spicy experience. This is a no-nonsense, full-bodied cigar best suited for the more experienced cigar lover.

Now that you’ve had the chance to learn more about these outstanding smokes, I hope you’ll give them, as well as other short cigars, some serious consideration the next time you’re shopping for cigars. You may be as pleasantly surprised as I was.

If you enjoyed reading this article, or smoked any of the cigars in the list, please share your thoughts by leaving a comment.