The cigar ring gauge guide is a reliable source of information that educates an individual about how to select a cigar ring. Essentially, the ring gauge of a cigar measures the diameter of the cigar. The size of a cigar ring is generally referred to in 64ths of an inch. For example, if a cigar had a ring gauge of 42, this number would indicate that the cigar was 42/64 inches thick. As a general rule of thumb, the thicker the ring gauge of the cigar, the fuller its flavor will be. The longer the size of the cigar, the cooler the smoke will be.

There are numerous smokers of cigars who refuse to consider cigars that have narrow ring gauges. These smokers generally tend to opt for cigars with 50+ diameters. This trend seems to be especially popular amongst the most recent generation of cigar smokers. An increasing number of manufacturers are producing cigars with 54-60 rings; however, the “big is better” philosophy is not necessarily true. For example, for some individuals, a larger gauge cigar may feel unwieldy in the hand. This is information that cannot be obtained from a cigar ring gauge guide, but rather, it must be obtained from experience and personal preference.

Due to their larger gauge, these cigars tend to burn rather coolly, and they encounter some difficulty in remaining lit. On the other hand, one of the most common criticisms toward smaller ring gauge cigars is that they tend to burn too quickly and do not have a sophisticated complexity of flavors. The most popular brands of smaller gauge cigars include classic Corona, Longsdale, and Cuban Corona Gorda. In a national taste test conducted in 2009, the Double Corona was deduced to be the most popular larger gauge cigar in the United States. Employing the use of a cigar ring gauge guide will allow an individual to choose the size of cigar that will most adequately suit their personal tastes.