Hey — Nick here. Welcome back.
This week I want to talk about something that trips up a lot of beginners: cigar size. Specifically, why bigger isn't always better — and why some of the best-tasting cigars on the market are also the thinnest.
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THE RING GAUGE MYTH
When most people walk into a humidor for the first time, they gravitate toward the big, thick cigars. It makes sense — they look impressive, they feel substantial, and there's a natural assumption that more tobacco = more flavor.
Here's the thing though: that's not really how it works.
A cigar is made of three parts — the filler (the inside), the binder (the leaf that holds the filler together), and the wrapper (the outermost leaf). The wrapper is always the highest quality, most flavorful, and most expensive tobacco in the entire cigar. It's where most of the complexity comes from.
Now here's the key: in a thick cigar (called a Gordo, usually 60 ring gauge or larger), the wrapper only makes up about 20-30% of what you're tasting. The filler dominates. In a thin cigar like a Lancero (typically 38 ring gauge), the wrapper accounts for up to 60-70% of the flavor.
That's why master blenders and serious enthusiasts often say that a Lancero is the truest test of a blend. You're tasting the wrapper in its purest form.
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THE LANCERO COMEBACK
For a while, Lanceros fell out of fashion. The market went thick and heavy. But in 2026, thin vitolas are making a serious comeback — and it's not just nostalgia. It's because more smokers are developing their palates and realizing they want flavor clarity, not just strength.
Lanceros are also more elegant to smoke. They burn longer relative to their size, they're easier to hold, and they pair beautifully with drinks because the smoke is lighter and more refined.
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THIS WEEK'S CIGAR: AGANORSA LEAF SUPREME LEAF TORO 109
Price: ~$12–14 | Strength: Medium-Full | Wrapper: Nicaraguan Corojo '99
This isn't a traditional Lancero — it's a Toro (6" x 52) — but it features something called a "109-style cap," which is a tapered, rounded tip instead of a flat one. That taper concentrates the smoke in a way that's similar to smoking a thinner cigar. It's a great introduction to the concept before you go full Lancero.
The wrapper is a Nicaraguan Corojo '99, grown on Aganorsa's family farms. Corojo is a Cuban heritage seed known for producing vibrant, complex tobacco with natural spice and sweetness.
What does it taste like? The first third hits you with a burst of pepper and graham cracker — it's lively and energetic. The middle settles into brown sugar, baking spices, and a hint of dark cherry wood. The finish is warm and savory, with roasted nuts and soft leather.
It's medium-full in strength, so if you're still building up your tolerance, give it a few more mild smokes first. But when you're ready — this is a genuinely exciting cigar.
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SIP & SMOKE: RYE WHISKEY
The bold, spicy character of a good rye whiskey is the perfect match for the Corojo '99 wrapper's natural pepper and spice. Try WhistlePig 10 Year or Bulleit Rye if you can find them.
The rye's spice amplifies the pepper in the cigar, while the sweet, caramel finish of the whiskey plays off the graham cracker and brown sugar notes. It's a bold, energetic pairing — not a relaxing Sunday morning smoke. Save this one for a Friday night.
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Next issue: we're talking sustainability — how the cigar industry is going green, and why it actually makes your cigars taste better.
Keep it burning slow,
Nick
The Ember & Ash | theemberandash.com