Did You Know?
Alex Svenson
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in Cigar 101
I just wrote a post about how the cigar boom of the 1990's changed the many ways people go about describing cigars and it made me think about other changes throughout the history of cigars.
One interesting fact is how the names of figurados have changed. For example, today we use the words torpedo, pyramid and belicoso interchangeably to describe the same size. However, many years ago, each of these was a very different size. For example, a torpedo was tapered on both ends bulged in the middle, basically what is today referred to as a perfecto or preferido. The La Aurora Preferido is exactly the shape that was origianlly the torpedo. If you look at that shape, it actually looks like a torpedo you might find on a naval vessel. Pyramid is the actual terms we use today which means a cigar with a pointed head that tapers from head to foot. This is like the montecristo #2 and most other cigars we refer to today as torpedos. A traditional belicoso also has a pointed head but technically should be on a normal shaped cigar that does not taper but is a standard round parejo.
One interesting fact is how the names of figurados have changed. For example, today we use the words torpedo, pyramid and belicoso interchangeably to describe the same size. However, many years ago, each of these was a very different size. For example, a torpedo was tapered on both ends bulged in the middle, basically what is today referred to as a perfecto or preferido. The La Aurora Preferido is exactly the shape that was origianlly the torpedo. If you look at that shape, it actually looks like a torpedo you might find on a naval vessel. Pyramid is the actual terms we use today which means a cigar with a pointed head that tapers from head to foot. This is like the montecristo #2 and most other cigars we refer to today as torpedos. A traditional belicoso also has a pointed head but technically should be on a normal shaped cigar that does not taper but is a standard round parejo.
Comments
I figure that as the Torcedores were doing their thing, every once in a while they would change something in the way they were rolling and the outcome was a stick with a familiar but "new" shape to it. If the shape was different enough they gave it a new name. These things being hand rolled by many different people must "morph" as time and rollers changes. JMO
My life will be complete then
If I knew you better, I would respond by saying, "Oh, didn't you know? They already have a name for 4.5" long, thin cigars. The Petite Corona!" But that would be rude, since I am new here and I would never dream about making innuendos in my first 20 posts. Yep, that would be just rude.
You ever phucked a tuna can???
Back on topic here, thanks for the info Alex! I wasn't aware of this evolutuion over the years. I pretty much have always called any cigar with a point at one end a Torpedo, and if it was pointed on both ends a perfecto. I guess it is easier to market that way to people who aren't cigar nerds like most of us here.