What is the allure of the torpedo or perfecto shape?

[DogRockets]

I've been smoking cigars for a couple of years and I've gotta say I don't understand the allure of either the torpedo or the double perfecto shape. I tend to find the draw much harder on a torpedo where sometimes it feels like I'm going blue in the face. I have burn issues with the double perfecto some times at light up and have to retouch more than I do for normal cigars plus you get the added bonus of the draw issue. And these vitolas cost more than robusto, toro, etc shapes. So, what is the allure? What am I missing here?

 

[3/5King]

The perfecto, pyramid, figuardo, torpedo are some of my favorite shapes. I enjoy them for a few different reasons. i enjoy being able to choose the size opening cut. This can change how you experience the profile. Also the tapering of these shapes also changes the profile as you get down to the final third. The figuardo and perfecto actually have two profile changes due to the fact that they taper at the foot and the base. They do burn a little wonky sometimes but I've never had any plugged issues yet but I could see it happening occasionally.

 

[Benjamin]

I remember reading an article a long time ago that mentioned torpedoes and figurados were usually rolled by more experienced rollers, and you had a better chance at getting a well made cigar. I seem to recall more instances of getting "bad" sticks back in the mid-late 90s where it felt like a crapshoot every time I visited a shop to pick up some cigars, even ones I bought regularly.

That doesn't seem to be as much of a factor anymore, as the quality appears to have gotten better overall - not to mention I've been letting my stash rest before smoking. But I still hold to what that article said when I reach for a torpedo.

 

[ZippoGeek]

I remember reading an article a long time ago that mentioned torpedoes and figurados were usually rolled by more experienced rollers, and you had a better chance at getting a well made cigar. I seem to recall more instances of getting "bad" sticks back in the mid-late 90s where it felt like a crapshoot every time I visited a shop to pick up some cigars, even ones I bought regularly.

This makes a lot of sense to me...probably explains why all those fancy vitolas are generally so expensive !

 

[danmdevries]

High end premiums in tjose shapes are great. Lower end tend to be plagued by construction issues in my experience.

if the post above is true about more experienced rollers making those vitolas, makes sense.

I dont seek em out, usually if available in a "standard" shape, ill take that. But they do bring something to the table in control of the draw and a little more complexity When done right.

 

[c.ortiz108]

They're my preferred shape for all the reasons above. With some cigars that shape is integral to the whole concept. You wouldn't want a Hemingway robusto or gordo. Plus they're cool and old school looking and I can pretend like I'm a character in a 1930s cartoon when I smoke one!

 

[mistaforty]

Id also add that bad roll chances aside, if you got a bad pyramid/torpedo ish stick (they are NOT the same) it was probably moreso due to storage issues than construction. I'm hoping the 70/70 "rule" changes because for bigger ring gauges 70% humidity is too high and can result in less than pleasant smoking experiences.

- I never say imho or in my experience or "to me..." because well I'm the one saying it ...so yeah

 

[BMack]

I don't find torpedos or perfectos to ever be tighter draws than rounded cap cigars(of course it happens with either but no difference in regularity). I'd recommend considering changing your RH, I'm closer to 62% RH at max I'd recommend 65% RH.

I like perfectos because they're soo easy to light. Mine typically burn as even as Robustos if not better, again I recommend lowering your RH%...you'll notice a huge difference in how your cigar burns and lights(also, toast the foot of the cigar before lighting).

I like these shapes because I find them comfortable, I like smaller RG cigars and a torpedo makes it more comfortable for me to smoke a larger RG cigar...oh and they just look cool.

 

[Horseshoe]

I've been smoking cigars for a couple of years and I've gotta say I don't understand the allure of either the torpedo or the double perfecto shape. I tend to find the draw much harder on a torpedo where sometimes it feels like I'm going blue in the face. I have burn issues with the double perfecto some times at light up and have to retouch more than I do for normal cigars plus you get the added bonus of the draw issue. And these vitolas cost more than robusto, toro, etc shapes. So, what is the allure? What am I missing here?

Did you make sure you cut the cap before you tried smoking it?

 

[rdomfoto]

The perfecto, pyramid, figuardo, torpedo are some of my favorite shapes. I enjoy them for a few different reasons. i enjoy being able to choose the size opening cut. This can change how you experience the profile. Also the tapering of these shapes also changes the profile as you get down to the final third. The figuardo and perfecto actually have two profile changes due to the fact that they taper at the foot and the base. They do burn a little wonky sometimes but I've never had any plugged issues yet but I could see it happening occasionally.

Nicely said, brother! I, too, really enjoy the pyramid and figuardo shapes. The pyramids I can open up quite a bit if I get a tight draw.

 

[Happy Idiot]

V cut a pyramid for a whole different flavor profile than another shape. Smoke is funneled

 

[smokinghole]

I am not typically a fan of the standard torpedo, dont get the point compared to a toro rally. The double perfecto on the other hand is a cool smoke. The wrapper to filler ratio changes as you smoke them. It isnt an in your five difference but its interesting.

 

[BMack]

V cut a pyramid for a whole different flavor profile than another shape. Smoke is funneled

Plus it makes the cigar look like a fish! haha

 

[chad202]

La Aurora makes some great sticks and their perfectos were always my favorite. The shape is simply a bonus imho.

 

[jfettlol]

too much wasted real estate with them, but they look cool.

 

[Cigary43]

Preferred shapes for our cigars is usually based on experience and while some shapes help the draw I tend to stay away from the shapes where the cost is more...I can take a regular shaped cigar and ensure it has a great draw by manipulating it with a draw tool or cut and the savings tend to help me with future orders.

 

[FireDragon]

Perfectos, blunts, and lanceros (like Marsh Wheelings) are all classic cigar shapes for the American market. A perfecto is the iconic cigar shape that even a non-smoker would recognize.

Perfectos are easy to cut and still get a lot of taste from the wrapper, and you don't have to open your mouth as wide to smoke them. Also, the narrow foot is easier to light. I can see how the shape would be a lot easier for a machine to make which is probably why it is associated so strongly with the era when most cigar smokers smoked inexpensive domestic cigars like King Edward. Also, when it's machine-made with short or mixed-filler, draw issues are non-existent.

 

[MattyMatt]

I generally lean towards a robusto, but if I can grab the same cigar in belicoso with similar size specs, I will.

The overall cigar experience in my opinion is a combination of your mood, smoking environment, look of cigar, feel of cigar (both in hand and mouth), taste of cigar, cigar performance and accompanying libation (if applicable).

So to me, sometimes a belicoso, or even a box press (which was not in my wheelhouse originally), enhances the experience.

 

[luckysaturn13]

I like the perfectos. For me they seem to burn really well and even. I also like how the flavor profile likes to take a stronger swing as it burns

 

[JustTroItIn]

Two of my favorites are perfecto, AF Hemmingway (specifically the short story but the other vitolas are very good too) and the La Aurora Maduro #2. I have never had any funky burn issues with these sticks. I did have a Ghurka Centurion Perfecto that canoed and unraveled like a bitch.