Does Cigar Ring Gauge Matter?

I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and this week we're settling a question I get all the time: does the cigar ring gauge really make a difference in the smoke and the flavor? To find out, I put together a fun little experiment using one blend in every size, lit them up, and compared them puff for puff. Here's exactly what the cigar ring gauge changed.

What Is a Cigar Ring Gauge?

A cigar ring gauge is simply the thickness of a cigar, measured in 64ths of an inch. A 46 ring gauge is a thin cigar, while a 60 ring gauge is a thick one. The number tells you how much filler tobacco is packed inside relative to the wrapper, and that ratio is exactly why the cigar ring gauge can change how a smoke tastes and burns.

The Experiment

For this test I used the Jake Wyatt Herbert Spencer, a full portfolio of every single size they make in the Maduro wrapper. Using one blend across every size is the only fair way to isolate the cigar ring gauge, since the tobacco stays the same and only the thickness changes. The core line offers five different ring gauges:

• 60 ring gauge (the Gordo)
• 54 ring gauge (the Toro)
• 52 ring gauge (the Belicoso)
• 50 ring gauge (the Robusto)
• 46 ring gauge (the Corona)

For the video I started with the 60 Gordo and went all the way down to the extreme, the 46 Corona, to see if there's a real differentiation in the smoke and the flavor.

The Large Ring Gauge (the Gordo)

We've been educated in the cigar industry that the larger the cigar ring gauge, the more flavor of the filler you're going to get, because the ratio of filler to wrapper is much greater. That usually means a slightly milder smoke that isn't as impactful as a smaller ring gauge.

I toasted the foot of the 60 nice and even, got it cherry, and took a few puffs. On the 60 I noticed it takes a little more effort to get a nice combustion of the tobaccos, and I felt a lot of air movement within the smoke. I'm generally not a 60 ring gauge smoker, so to me it was a bit more work than something with a smaller ring gauge.

The Small Ring Gauge (the Corona)

Then I toasted the foot of the 46 Corona. That's about a third smaller of a ring gauge than the 60, which is a huge difference. Right off the bat the draw was a lot easier, the retrohale was a lot more intense, and it burned a little hotter. On the 60, by contrast, my lips actually felt it being spicier.

It's hard to put into words, but there was definitely a lot more air movement in the 60, even though it creates plenty of smoke. The viscosity of that smoke is more dissipated, meaning the color is not a puffy gray cloud. In the Corona, the density is greater, the flavor is more amplified in the retrohale, and the burn is a lot, lot hotter. I could feel that one down my throat.

Which Ring Gauge Should You Choose?

This was truly an experiment, so it's hard to crown a single winner. It comes down to the moment. If I'm at a barbecue with a lot of time to kill and I don't want to focus on the complexity of the cigar, I'll grab something with a much larger ring gauge. It gives you a lot of flavor and it's not as intense of a hot draw, so I'll go with a 6 by 60.

But if I want to truly gather the essence of a cigar, I like to go with a smaller ring gauge. It's a lot more complex, it's a lot hotter, and there's more going on within the heat of the smoke because the density is greater. For me, that's much more of a focused cigar. And in between these sizes you still have the 54, the 52, and the 50. In general, I'd probably go with a 52.

The takeaway is that the cigar ring gauge absolutely changes the experience, so picking the right one is a lot like choosing between a full bodied cigar and a milder smoke. It depends on what you want out of that particular moment.

Watch: Does Cigar Ring Gauge Matter?

See the full side-by-side test on Mondays with Mardo:

Final Thoughts

So does the cigar ring gauge make a difference? Yes, a clear one. A larger ring gauge gives you more filler flavor and an easier, milder smoke, while a smaller ring gauge burns hotter and delivers a denser, more complex experience. Neither is better, they're just different tools for different moments. The best move is to try the same blend in two sizes and feel the difference yourself.

Want to taste those differences even more clearly? Learn what cigars taste like and try this experiment with your own favorites.

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Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.