Casa Ejemplo Dominican Corona

The reference format

The corona is the size every other vitola is measured against: moderate length, moderate ring gauge, around an hour. Its narrower barrel means the wrapper contributes proportionally more flavour than it would in a thick gordo, so the cigar tastes more focused.

Full strength in a slim format

Strength and thickness are separate things, and this cigar demonstrates it. A slimmer barrel burns slightly hotter, which sharpens the delivery, so a full-strength corona can feel more intense than a full-strength gordo despite having less tobacco in it.

Pace matters more here

Because of that heat, a corona punishes fast smoking more than a thick cigar does. Keep to roughly a puff a minute and let it rest between draws.

When to smoke it

After a meal, when you want something serious but do not have two hours. It is also the format most likely to be smoked outdoors, where a long gordo would be spoiled by wind.

Storage

Slim cigars dry faster than thick ones. In an air-conditioned UAE apartment, a corona left out will be noticeably brittle within a few days. Humidor, 65 to 70%.

If you want something milder

The Churchill Connecticut is mild and creamy; the Habano Corona is the same format at medium-full.