5 Things You Need to Know About Big Ring Gauge Cigars
Is Bigger Better? 5 Must-Know Facts About Large Cigars
Cigar enthusiasts love them—mostly the newer generation, but there are increasing numbers of big ring gauge converts among the old guard. Why? Maybe it’s that we love super-sized things like pickup trucks and Big Gulps. Or maybe it’s the perceived value of getting ‘more cigar’ for your money.
Regardless, big ring cigars are no longer looked upon as a side show novelty, but rather gaining wider appreciation for all they offer. From the craftsmanship required to properly produce them to their rich and complex flavor profiles, it’s time to give big ring smokes the attention they deserve. So, let's dive into the top 5 things you need to know about these meaty vitolas.
It’s not just perceived value after all. Big ring gauge cigars cost more to make than their slimmer counterparts.
Mainly, bigger ring gauge cigars require significantly more long filler tobacco to be used in the cigar's construction. It follows that since premium filler tobacco leaves make up the bulk of a cigar's content, using more of them directly increases the raw material costs.
And while it’s true that long filler tobacco is less expensive than wrapper leaf, producing massive 60-70+ ring gauge sizes requires using at least 6-8 filler leaves compared to only 3-4 in smaller vitolas. More tobacco, along with the extra labor required for proper bunching and rolling it, makes big ring gauges more expensive to manufacture.
Rolling a well-constructed big ring gauge cigar is a true testament to a torcedor's (cigar roller's) craftmanship. Having more tobacco overall to work with, it takes a lot of skill to achieve the right balance and even distribution within the cigar. Not to mention, a bigger ring gauge also requires wrapper leaves with more thickness and elasticity in order to contain the dense long filler bunch without cracking or unraveling.
With their thicker ring gauges, big cigars are more prone to issues like tunneling, canoeing, or the filler becoming too densely packed. Rollers must take extra caution to achieve the right bunch density allowing for a proper draw without the cigar becoming too loose or tight.
In the end, it takes a lot of time and skill to produce a well-constructed big ring premium. To succeed, everything has to be done correctly—from evenly distributing the higher filler tobacco content, achieving the right bunch density for combustion/draw, and finding wrappers pliable enough to roll properly around the thick ring gauge.
One of the biggest advantages of big ring gauge cigars is that they provide an extended smoking experience. As I mentioned earlier, their increased diameter - typically ranging from 54 to 70 ring gauge and up - means these cigars contain a greater volume of long filler. This increased amount of tobacco allows for a slower, more leisurely burn compared to slimmer vitolas from the same blend.
Not only that, but more filler tobacco also means more air passing through the blend with each puff. This results in a cooler overall burning temperature that not only gives a cooler smoking experience, but also causes the tobacco to combust more slowly which extends the overall duration.
When it comes to more flavor and increased complexity, larger ring gauge cigars deliver the goods. Simply put, with more long filler tobacco in the blend, there’s more opportunity to enhance and expand on the flavor profile.
Having room for a larger number of long fillers opens the door to using a greater variety of leaves in the blend. This results in more opportunities for creativity and experimentation in the flavor profile. It’s not uncommon to find tobaccos from different primings, years, and growing regions in the same blend—which gives some larger ring cigars more nuance, complexity, and flavor than their smaller counterparts.
Cutting and lighting a cigar is a ritual that takes a lot of time and practice to get ‘just right.’ Even more confusing is the staggering variety of cigar cutters and torch lighters available.
But not any old cutter or torch will do. As the popularity of big ring gauge cigars has grown, cigar accessory manufacturers had to step up their game to accommodate these thicker sizes. Now, you’ll find an assortment of cigar tools that are specifically designed to handle the beefiest of blends.
Instead of going crazy trying to light a 60-ring beast with a single torch, there are a plenty of quad flame and 5 jet lighters available that are more than up to the challenge. These more powerful lighters—and cutters with larger openings—were engineered specifically to cover a large surface area to provide a quick and even light.
Whether you're well-seasoned or a curious newcomer, exploring big ring gauge cigars is a rewarding journey into the thicker side of premium handmades. With their extended smoking time, enhanced flavor profile, and overall value, these smokes offer a premium experience that's sure to satisfy even the pickiest of enthusiasts. So, if you haven’t taken the plunge yet, step out of your comfort zone and treat yourself to the tantalizing pleasures of a big ring gauge premium cigar—your taste buds will thank you.