Cigar Shopping Guide: Wrappers, Sizes, Backwoods and How to Cut and Light
Shopping for cigars Bonita Springs adults enjoy should feel easy, not intimidating. The humidor shelves are full of unfamiliar names, colors and shapes. This guide explains the basics so you can shop with confidence.
We cover how cigars are built, what wrapper colors tell you and how sizes are measured. We compare flavored and traditional cigars and walk through the Backwoods lineup. Then we explain how to cut, light and store a cigar.
Cigars are tobacco products and contain nicotine. WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Everything in this guide is for adults 21 and older.
Our team at Gulf Coast Smoke Shop answers cigar questions at our Bonita Beach Road counter every day. Use this guide as a starting point, then stop by and ask us to show you a few options.
Cigars, Cigarillos and Little Cigars
The word cigar covers a wide range of products. They all share one feature. Tobacco is rolled in leaf tobacco or a material that contains tobacco.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration treats cigarillos and little filtered cigars as types of cigars. The same page notes that federal law sets 21 as the minimum age to buy any tobacco product, including cigars.
Traditional Cigars
Traditional cigars are the larger, hand finished cigars most people picture. They come in many lengths and widths. Many are sold individually so you can mix and match.
Cigarillos
Cigarillos are smaller and thinner than traditional cigars. They are often sold in packs and many come in flavored versions. Their size makes them a shorter smoke.
Natural Leaf Cigars
Some cigars, such as Backwoods, use a rustic leaf wrapper with a hand rolled, natural look. They sit somewhere between a cigarillo and a traditional cigar in feel. We cover the Backwoods lineup in its own section below.
How a Cigar Is Built
Knowing the parts of a cigar makes the rest of this guide easier to follow. Most traditional cigars Bonita Springs shoppers pick up have three layers of tobacco.
- Filler: The tobacco leaves bunched inside the cigar. This makes up most of the flavor.
- Binder: A leaf that holds the filler together.
- Wrapper: The outer leaf you see and touch. It adds flavor and sets the look of the cigar.
Two ends matter too. The head is the closed end you cut. It is sealed with a small piece of leaf called the cap. The foot is the open end you light.
Cigar Wrappers Explained: Cigars Bonita Springs Shoppers Compare
The wrapper is the first thing you notice on the shelf. Its color gives you a rough hint about flavor. Lighter wrappers often taste creamier and lighter. Darker wrappers often taste richer and sweeter.
These are general patterns, not rules. The filler and binder change the flavor too, so two cigars with similar wrappers can taste very different.
Connecticut
Connecticut wrappers are light tan and smooth. They are often described as creamy, nutty or lightly toasted in flavor. The La Palina Classic Connecticut is one example from a brand on our shelves.
Rosado and Habano
Rosado wrappers have a reddish brown color. Habano style wrappers are medium brown. Both are often described with spice, cedar or leather notes. The La Palina Classic Rosado shows this reddish shade well.
Maduro and Oscuro
Maduro wrappers are dark brown and often taste of cocoa, coffee or dark sugar. Oscuro is darker still, sometimes close to black. These suit adults who like deep, rich flavors.
What Body Means
You will often hear cigars described as mild, medium or full bodied. Body describes how rich and heavy the flavor tastes. If you are new to cigars, ask us to start you with a mild or medium bodied option.
Cigar Sizes and Shapes
Cigar sizes use two numbers. The first is length in inches. The second is ring gauge, which measures the width in 64ths of an inch. A 64 ring gauge cigar is about one inch wide.
Shape names, called vitolas, give a quick shorthand. Dimensions vary by brand, so treat these as rough guides.
| Shape | Typical Length | Typical Ring Gauge | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corona | About 5 1/2 inches | About 42 to 44 | A classic, slimmer shape. |
| Robusto | About 5 inches | About 50 | Short and thick. A popular everyday size. |
| Toro | About 6 inches | About 50 to 52 | A little longer than a robusto. |
| Churchill | About 7 inches | About 47 to 48 | Long and elegant. A longer smoke. |
| Gordo | About 6 inches | About 60 | Very wide. Needs a large cutter. |
The La Palina Bronze Label Toro is one example of a toro on our list. Ask our team to line up a few cigars Bonita Springs regulars like so you can see the difference.
Size mostly changes how long a cigar lasts and how it feels in the hand. A longer cigar takes more time. A wider cigar holds more filler, which can change how the flavors build.
Flavored vs Traditional Cigars
This is one of the biggest choices when shopping for cigars Bonita Springs locals enjoy. Both styles have loyal fans, and both are easy to find in our shop.
Traditional Cigars
Traditional cigars rely on the tobacco itself for flavor. Notes come from the wrapper, binder and filler blend. Tasting notes might include cedar, leather, coffee, cocoa, nuts or pepper.
La Palina is a traditional brand we list, with lines such as Black Label, Blue Label, Silver Label, White Label and Miami Babe. Stock rotates, so call ahead for a specific line.
Flavored Cigars
Flavored cigars add an aroma or taste to the leaf, such as vanilla, berry or honey. They tend to come in smaller formats and packs. Many adults enjoy them for their aroma and simple, consistent taste.
How to Choose
- Choose traditional if you want to taste the tobacco and explore different wrappers.
- Choose flavored if you prefer a familiar, consistent flavor from pack to pack.
- Try both if you are still learning what you like.
The Backwoods Lineup at Our Bonita Springs Shop
Backwoods are among the most requested cigars at our counter. They come in five packs with a rustic, natural leaf look. Each flavor brings its own aroma and taste. Here are the Backwoods five packs on our product list.
- Backwoods 5pk Russian Cream: Vanilla and sweet cream notes with a dessert style aroma.
- Backwoods 5pk Banana: A ripe banana note layered over the signature tobacco.
- Backwoods 5pk Dark Berry: Bold berry flavor paired with rich tobacco in a dark wrapper.
- Backwoods 5pk Dark Stout: A roasted, stout style profile with hints of cocoa and coffee.
- Backwoods 5pk Honey Berry: Golden honey sweetness with a berry note.
Backwoods packs reseal, but they still need care in our climate. Keep the pack closed and out of direct sun between uses. Flavors rotate in and out of stock, so call ahead if you want a specific one.
How to Cut a Cigar
Most traditional cigars need the cap cut before you light them. A clean cut keeps the wrapper intact. A rough cut can make the wrapper peel or unravel.
Straight Cut
A straight cutter, often called a guillotine, slices across the head. Cut just above the cap line, where the cap meets the wrapper. Use one quick, firm motion.
Match the cutter to the cigar width. The Fujima 64 Gauge Cigar Cutter handles cigars up to a 64 ring gauge. The Fujima 80 Gauge Cigar Cutter handles cigars up to an 80 ring gauge.
V Cut
A V cutter makes a wedge shaped notch in the cap. It opens the cigar while keeping more of the cap in place. The Fujima V-Shape Cigar Cutter is the one we carry for this style.
Punch Cut
A punch removes a small round plug from the center of the cap. It is compact and works well on wider cigars.
Many cigarillos and natural leaf cigars come ready to light without a cut. Check the head before you reach for a cutter.
How to Light a Cigar
Lighting a cigar takes a little more patience than lighting a cigarette. The goal is an even burn across the whole foot.
- Hold the cigar at an angle with the foot just above the flame.
- Toast the foot by rotating it slowly until the edge glows evenly.
- Bring the head to your mouth and draw gently while rotating the foot over the flame.
- Look at the foot and touch up any spots that are not lit.
- Let the cigar rest between draws so it burns slowly and evenly.
Butane torches and soft flame lighters are both popular for cigars. Torches handle wind well on a lanai or a boat. Browse lighters and torches on our smoking accessories page.
Storing Cigars Bonita Springs Style
Florida heat and humidity are hard on tobacco. Cigars can dry out in air conditioning or swell in a hot, damp garage. A few habits help.
- Keep cigars in their original packaging or a humidor.
- Store them indoors, away from windows and direct sun.
- Never leave cigars in a hot car or a beach bag.
- Use a travel case for day trips to Bonita Beach or Fort Myers Beach.
Humidors and humidity packs help cigars hold steady moisture over time. Ask our team about storage options when you visit.
Where to Buy Cigars Bonita Springs Locals Trust
Shopping in person lets you see wrappers up close, compare sizes and ask questions. Our team will help you narrow it down by flavor, shape and the time you have.
Our cigars page shows what is listed online right now. Selection changes often, so call ahead for a specific brand or size. You can order online for free in-store pickup on Bonita Beach Road. Local delivery is available in the Bonita Springs area, and an adult 21 or older with a matching ID must accept it.
Prefer to roll your own? See our blunts and hemp wraps section. Customers from Estero, Naples and Bonita Beach shop our cigars Bonita Springs selection every week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy cigars in Bonita Springs?
Gulf Coast Smoke Shop at 3465 Bonita Beach Rd SW #6 carries cigars, cigarillos and cutters. You can shop in store or order online for free in-store pickup.
What is the difference between a Connecticut and a Maduro wrapper?
Connecticut wrappers are light tan and often taste creamy or nutty. Maduro wrappers are dark brown and often taste of cocoa, coffee or dark sugar.
What does ring gauge mean?
Ring gauge measures a cigar's width in 64ths of an inch. A 64 ring gauge cigar is about one inch wide, and a 50 ring gauge cigar is a little narrower.
Do Backwoods need to be cut?
Many natural leaf cigars and cigarillos come ready to light without a cut. Check the head of the cigar first, and ask our team if you are unsure.
Which Backwoods flavors do you carry?
Our product list includes Backwoods five packs in Russian Cream, Banana, Dark Berry, Dark Stout and Honey Berry. Stock rotates, so call ahead for a specific flavor.
Do I need to be 21 to buy cigars?
Yes. Federal law sets 21 as the minimum age to buy any tobacco product, including cigars. Bring a valid ID to the counter and to pickup.
Visit Gulf Coast Smoke Shop on Bonita Beach Road
Ready to browse cigars Bonita Springs adults can see and compare in person? Our shop is at 3465 Bonita Beach Rd SW #6, Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Get directions to our store before you head over.
We are open Monday through Saturday from 8AM to 11PM and Sunday from 9AM to 10PM. Call (239) 498-7478 to check stock on a specific cigar. You can also reach us through our contact page.
Coming from Estero or Naples? Our local guide to Bonita Springs, Estero and Naples covers the area. Need a grinder for your rolling setup? Read our grinder buying guide. Have more questions? Visit our FAQs page or learn about our team.
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Must be 21 or older to purchase. Valid ID required.