The Box Pressed Cigars Guide
I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and in this beginner's guide we'll break down box pressed cigars and how they differ from trunk-pressed cigars. If you have never really looked at the shape of a cigar, this is a fun one. By the end you will know exactly what box pressed cigars are, why they exist, and whether the shape actually changes your smoke.
What Are Box Pressed Cigars?
A box pressed cigar is a cigar that has been pressed into a squared-off shape instead of a round one. It is also called a soft box press. The reason for the "soft" name is that the edges are gently rounded rather than sharp. Most box pressed cigars you find on shelves are soft box pressed. They have that comfortable squared feel in your hand, but the corners are still a little soft.
Box Press vs Trunk Press
So what is the difference between box press and trunk press? It comes down to the edges. A soft box press has rounded edges. A trunk press cigar has a sharp 90-degree hard line on each edge. That hard, defined corner is the signature of a true trunk press.
There is also a neat manufacturing detail. On trunk press cigars, the labels are placed on the cigar before it goes into the mold. Once a cigar has those hard trunk-press edges, it is challenging to bend a label around the corners and keep the adhesive holding in the back. So the band goes on while the cigar is still in the mold. It is a meticulous, detailed process.
FeatureBox Press (Soft)Trunk Press EdgesRounded, soft cornersSharp 90-degree hard line Also calledSoft box pressTrunk press Label appliedAfter rollingBefore molding Feel in handGently squaredCrisp, defined corners
Why Do Box Pressed Cigars Exist?
The exact history of box pressed cigars is unclear, but many believe it traces back to a pre-embargo Cuban style of roll. Beyond the history, there are a few popular theories for why makers press cigars into a box shape. Take them as ideas, not gospel:
- Saving space. Round cigars take up a bit more room. Squared cigars with hard-line angles pack together tighter, so you can fit more cigars into the same box.
- Fitting more product. If you can slot an extra cigar into each box, you can sell more cigars. That is the more likely motive than simply shrinking the box.
- They won't roll away. Set a round cigar on a table or ashtray and it can roll off and get damaged. A box pressed cigar sits flat and stays put.
- Less transit damage. Those harder edges may help the cigars take less damage during packaging and transport.
How to Spot a Box Pressed Cigar
Spotting box pressed cigars is easy once you know what to feel for. Roll the cigar gently in your fingers. If it has four flat sides and a squared profile, it is box pressed. If those corners are soft and slightly rounded, it is a soft box press, which is the most common kind. If the corners feel sharp and crisp, with that clean 90-degree line, you are holding a trunk press. A fully round cigar with no flat sides at all is a Parejo. None of this changes how you cut or light the cigar. It is simply a quick way to read the shape in your hand and know what you are smoking.
Does the Press Change the Burn or Flavor?
Here is my honest take. Does a box press change the burn, taste, or flavor of the cigar? I don't think so. I never get caught up in whether a cigar is box pressed or a Parejo, which simply means a round cigar. I do not care if it is a Belicoso, a traditional cap, a 109 cap, or a Figurado. I only want to smoke a good cigar. For me it is all about knowing how to cut it, light it, and smoke it well.
That said, plenty of smokers do prefer box pressed cigars, and that is perfectly fine. Some like how the flat shape feels in the hand. Others like how it rests on an ashtray without rolling. A few even feel the squared shape gives a slightly slower, cooler draw. None of that is proven, but smoking is personal. If you enjoy the shape, that is reason enough to reach for it.
Watch: Box Press vs Trunk Press
See both shapes side by side straight from the episode on Mondays with Mardo:
Final Thoughts
Box pressed cigars are a squared-off, soft-edged roll, while trunk press cigars carry that sharp 90-degree line. The shape is mostly about packaging, presentation, and a little history, not about changing the flavor in your mouth. Smoke the shape you like best. To get the most out of any cigar, learn the right cut in our guide to a cigar punch vs guillotine cutter, and explore how size plays in with our guide on whether ring gauge matters.
Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.
