Are Torpedos better than other sizes?

[AndyPanda]

This has probably been asked many times before - but I wasn't coming up with an answer after several searches. So please forgive my newbie question.

I've seen several posts in various sites where someone claimed that Torpedos are rolled by the more experienced rollers and therefore you are likely to get a more consistent or better rolled cigar by buying torpedos.

If all were equal - I'd lean towards a robusto or toro as the size I enjoy. The torpedos and perfectos/figurados are great to look at but I'm pretty new to cigars and I guess I don't really understand the purpose of the torpedo shape. Is it simply so that you have a greater choice in the draw by how much you clip? Or so you have a smaller tip in your mouth? Or does the shape somehow give you better flavor by reducing the diameter and concentrating the smoke or something like that?

Buying firsts, torpedos are usually quite a bit more expensive (so easier for me to choose a robusto) - but when buy a bundle of seconds, frequently the robustos, toros and torpedos are the same price - so that always makes me wonder if I'd be getting more for my money by grabbing the torpedos. And I also wonder if the "more experienced rollers" issue even plays a factor since these are seconds anyway.

[Bigtotoro]

I can see where torpedos might be tricker to roll, and perfectos trickier than that. Frankly, I don't care. If you prefer a robusto, get a robusto. Is it worth an extra couple of bucks for the perception that the stick is made better, even if it does not taste better to you?

[c2000]

I prefer the Churchill and the robusto and have never noticed any difference between these sizes and the torpedo...

Jerry in Minnesota.

[AndyPanda]

It's not about the "perception" - at least my question isn't about the perception (it's entirely possible/likely that the extra cost of torpedo is about perception). The question was am I more likely to get a better rolled stick because the rollers doing torpedos are the more highly skilled rollers? Or is that a myth?

For example - if I were to buy 100 torpedos and 100 robustos would it be likely to find more problem sticks with the robustos?

[danmcmartin]

I was wondering the same thing. It seems that the torpedoes are usually ranked higher in the reviews than toros and robustos. I prefer robustos, usually because it takes less time to smoke. I was wondering if it was perception or something inherent in the way they are formed and rolled. I know a robusto and a churchill may offer a different smoking experience due to the difference in size, but many topedoes are the same length and ring as that brand's toro. Good question.

[Grammaton]

I've smoked two Casa Magnas. One robusto, one torpedo. Both had draw and burn problems.
I don't think you get a better stick in any shape if quality control is working. Both of the people rolling the cigars should be qualified to roll whatever shape they're rolling.

[Cigary]

A cigar burns the same regardless of what shape it is rolled. I never got into the "shape" of cigars as it doesn't matter the shape of it but to some it does. The cigar is going to taste the same and to pay extra for the shape that it is rolled just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me unless you have money to burn. Just my opinion.

[veteranvmb]

This is an interesting question. I used to prefer lonsdales and panatellas. As I got more expereinced I started to prefer a slightly thicker cigar.
On some types I have several different sizes of the same cigar, and if they are made correctly in my opinion, they taste the same, with the only difference being how quicky the tobacco tastes change as the heated tobacco gets closer to your mouth.
I have found that son same brands(I do love a churchill), I have had problems with, but the same cigar in a robusto size gives me less problem(burn and draw issues)
I seem to know prefer robustos as long as they are not over 50 in ring size.

Much regards Jerry

[Wolf4Fun]

I don't think there is much difference in the taste, but there is in how they draw from my experience.
I prefer the Robusto myself.
Though I think it really comes down to personal preference.

[K Baz]

I think (or I think I have read) that the more experienced rolls do roll the torps and the other tougher shapes.

But I think due to quality control most cigars that hit the shelf are deemed good for consumption.

I have not done a study but I think that torps cost more because they tend to be bigger.

Also I think they attract people because they are slightly novel and you can clip them to adjust your drawédraw size.

Better maybe - better is all about preference

[bimmian]

I personally really like torpedoes... I gotta admit, I don't really know why all I know is that I seem to like them better than other sizes within the same brand. (I like the PSP2 better than the PSD4, and the Ashton VSG Belicoso better than the Robusto, for example.) As long as the blend is the same or similar, I usually prefer the pointy one.

Maybe for some of the reasons already touched on such as: the ability to "customize" my draw to my preference, and the way the smoke gets concentrated at the tip of the cigar... I haven't really noticed a difference in construction, other than to say I get burn issues with all shapes and sizes from time to time..

The only problem I have with them is that they aren't as easy to nub for me, since their shape makes them harder for me to hold once they're burnt down past the 1" mark. Also, the flavor seems to get harsher than a comparable robusto at that point, maybe because of all the tar built up in the head.

I'm no expert, that's just my .

That said, the ISOM Monte #2 is my all-time favorite stick, so maybe that has something to do with it haha!

[Herf N Turf]

For me, it totally depends on the individual blend. In my experience, corona and robusto generally deliver the best flavors and come closest to the original intent of the blender. Whenever I try a new stick, I look for examples in those sizes. Once I determine whether or not it pleases my personal pallet, I try different vitola. For example, I find the Oliva V Torpedo to be much better than the other sizes.

Torpedo does offer some smoking characteristics not found in the Toro. The funneling effect and concentration of smoke does change the overall effect and can have some impact on the perception of body. That said, if the blend doesn't work in that size, I go back to corona or robusto.

[tx_tuff]

I think K Baz has hit it, with the quality control of most manufactures now days the different sizes are going to be the same as far as quality. The better rollers are pron making the Torps but they are harder to roll, so if the other sizes are a little easier you don't need a roller that is as good. But most cigars do change taste from one size to another, you just can't help that because of filler to wrapper ratio changing with different sizes.

[rajuabju]

What a great question.... I've often wondered this myself many times.

My personal preference has always been: Toro, Torpedo, Robusto... then other sizes....

I think a LOT of it has to do with individual preference. Reviews and ratings by the "pros" are always highly subjective. One should use them as a guide only, not as a way of making a final determination of wht they should / should not try. The fact that Torpedo's generally get higher reviews probably has more to do with the preference of the reviewer, not the quality of the smoke.

[domerthefrog]

I tend to purchase them more, because i can cut them easier, and to my liking.