If time weren’t a factor…

[Havanagiela]

Would you ever smoke Petit Coronas and the like if time wasn’t an issue? I feel the nuances are better served in larger vitolas but don’t often have the time or patience to spend 90 minutes or more with a cigar. Is this part of the maturation process of this wonderful journey?

[El Hoze]

Whenever I smoke smaller formats it is usually a function of time. I guess you could say I am a huge believer in the significance of the passage of time. 

[Cigar Surgeon]

Petit coronas are such a brilliant breakfast cigar format.

[TheDonTX]

Its a wonderful journey for sure! I would still smoke 'em. I love all vitolas and brands. They each bring their own vibe to the table. I love PLPC and its mongrelness. This box I have is a great (if you like 'em) change of pace cigar. Dark and rich sweetness with some funk too it. 

I know it sounds weird, but I don't want to smoke Winnies and Lusis all the time lol. I don't feel like smoking for 2 hours or more every time I go out. 

[Ford2112]

I'd smoke them when the mood strikes yes, especially with a morning cup.

[SpecialK]

6 hours ago, El Hoze said:

Whenever I smoke smaller formats it is usually a function of time. I guess you could say I am a huge believer in the significance of the passage of time. 

I see what you did there... 😉

[El Presidente]

Vitolas are not simply a matter of time/length, but blend. 

I could give you a 42 gauge petit corona and a 6 inch 42 gauge cigar with the same leaf/blend. They will share DNA but they will smoke differently, with each it's own personality. 

 

[RDB]

Yes, I often prefer a shorter smoke in the Robusto/PC time band, and there’s definitely a place for minutos too. Espresso vs pour over?

[joeypots]

I used to love DCs and large format cigars. Now, if it’s an opportunity like a card game, a ball game, or an evening with friends for a long smoking session, I prefer two cigars. Say a PPP and a MC#4 or something like that.

[JoeyBones777]

It's more a variety thing that was born out of a time thing. There was a time that I would have smoked exclusively churchills if I had the time and, so, I never even gave PCs a chance. Then I started wanting shorter smokes to save time and fell in love with PCs and Coronas. Now, I prefer 2 different PCs over 1 Churchill, depending on the Churchill, just for the variety. To me, there is plenty of nuance in a well blended and aged PC plus they tend to be richer in flavor.

[Chibearsv]

Yep, variety is the answer to me more than time.  I smoke cigars throughout the day on any typical Saturday and my selection depends on what sounds good at that moment.  Sometimes it's a DC and others, it's a PC.  Might be 2 cigars all day or it might be 6.  Just depends on how I'm feeling.  As Rob referenced, each vitola in each brand brings it's own taste, strength, burn speed, aroma, etc.  Sample a variety and discover what appeals to you.

[Ruggerpgh99]

I have recently found that I really prefer the smaller vitola. I feel like I get a better nuance in flavors than larger gauges, generally. 

[Glass Half Full]

Agree with all the Petit proponents above, and add only that the smaller vitolas share a similarity to thinner ring gauge cigars IMO: To my taste, they're often more complex, more focused in their transitions and can bring more surprising (and welcome) strength than the many of the larger RG varieties.  

In the end, I enjoy variety most -- there are times and situations to enjoy all manner of sizes and shapes.  

[Connoisseur Kim]

Although I usually reach skinny and long cigars, I still think that Petit Coronas have their own place in my CC rotation especially when I simply want to take a short break with puffing intense and complex cigars. Also, it's always interesting to see blend difference between Petit Coronas and longer cigars in the same marca, as not only every CCs has their own blend but also Petit Coronas are more intensed than thicker RG CCs, just like thinner RG ones (e.g. Partagas Shorts vs Lusitanias: They are quite similar in terms of taste, however I find Shorts are stronger than Lusitanias). 

[teamrandr]

Yes

[Habanoschris]

Yes, it's true that with large vitolas you'll need to dedicate over on hour or two in some cases.

However, when I consider such cigars w/unique flavor profiles like Sancho Non Plus, PLPC, Partagas Serie D No.6 (petit robusto) or minutes/perlas such as Partagas Short or SCdlH El Principe or RG etc, just to name a few.

To avoid these cigars would be missing out on a whole spectrum of nuanced blends and flavor notes. 👌😚💨

 

[BG318]

I think I would be lost without the benefit of having smaller vitolas in my collection, especially Perla/mareva sizes, even if removing the consideration of time. However, the idea of removing the concept of time from cigar smoking is making my mind explode, because, blends, moods, and situations aside, time is always part of the equation for me. Great question!

[MickVanWinkle]

For me, time is only a one sided restrictive factor - if I am limited in time, it rules out larger vitolas. However, given unlimited(ish) time, smaller vitolas are still in play. Sometimes I just crave a particular cigar and if there’s still time left…bonus cigar time.

[NSXCIGAR]

6 hours ago, BoliDan said:

Some PC formats are better than their larger and smaller components. PLPC comes to mind. I favor Siglo II over the III. Same with the Monte 4. It changes the ratios of volado, seco and ligero which has large impacts.

I've always thought the Monte 4 was the best blended of all the 42 RG Montes (1, 3 & 4). There's just something about the Monte 4 that's special. And I can completely see choosing the Siglo II over the III. 

And don't forget back in the day cab versions of many cigars had totally different blends than the DB versions. 

[Cigarsmoker81]

Personally I need 45 min minimum to smoke, so I rarely reach out to my smaller vitolas cigars. I don’t feel like I’m missing out tbh.

[BrightonCorgi]

If I don't have an hour free or more, smoking a cigar doesn't even come into my thought process. The only smaller cigars I buy now are in tubos.