The Best-Selling Cigar Sizes In America
It’s the time of the toro. For many years, American cigar shops have reported that the robusto was the most popular size in the country, but this year, shop owners are saying that the larger toro is the size their customers ask for the most. According to our latest Cigar Insider survey of shops across the country, a dominating 69.1 percent of retailers named the toro (also known as a corona gorda) as their top-selling size. We define toros as any cigar measuring 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 inches long, with ring gauges from 46 to 59.
Top Selling Cigar Sizes
Percentage of shops naming these sizes as their No. 1 seller
| Size | Percent |
|---|---|
| 1. Toro/Corona Gorda | 69.2 |
| 2. Grande | 14.8 |
| 3. Robusto | 13.6 |
| 4. Churchill | 1.2 |
| 4. Corona | 1.2 |
Source: Cigar Insider
The immense popularity of toros is underscored by the difference between the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. The Grande came in at a distant second with 14.8 percent of retailers naming the fat size as the most popular. This is a remarkable statistic. We define Grandes as any straight-sided cigar with a 60 ring gauge or fatter. Previously considered a laughable novelty, these ultra-fat cigars have become a normal sight in the industry, and many cigar companies are pushing the limits with 70, 80 and even 100-ring-gauge cigars. So why have super-fat cigars become so popular? The reason often cited by consumers is perceived value. Smokers think that they’re getting more bang for their buck with a fat cigar. The cigars got so popular that Cigar Aficionado gave Grandes its own tasting category in 2012.
Once the most popular size, the robusto dropped down to the No. 3 spot with only 13.6 percent of retailers naming this as the most in-demand size.
Fans of traditional sizes might find some frustration in the humidor. Our poll showed that only 1.2 percent of retailers named Churchills and Coronas as their top seller. They tied for the No. 4 spot. But vitolas such as lonsdales, panetelas, petit coronas and even figurados now rank among the worst-selling sizes.
For this survey, Cigar Insider polled 81 retailers representing 291 cigar shops across the country. The shops range from large emporiums to posh boutiques to neighborhood tobacconists, but all are reputable establishments that specialize in premium cigars. Retailers had much more to say. See the story below for more survey results.
To see the Cigar Insider retailer survey on the hottest cigar brands, click here.
