What Is a Imperial Cigar?

The Imperial format, as represented by the 9.0 x 47 vitola, is a study in length over girth. At 47 ring gauge, it sits in the classic corona-to-lonsdale territory, where the filler-to-wrapper ratio remains moderate enough that the wrapper’s character stays prominent, while the draw resistance is naturally firm but not tight—ideal for a slow, deliberate pull. The 9-inch length is the real driver here: smoke travels a long distance from the foot to your palate, cooling significantly along the way, which means the first third will taste bright and floral, but as the ember advances, the smoke shortens, warms, and the blend’s deeper notes—earth, cocoa, leather—emerge with increasing intensity. This is the opposite of a short, fat robusto (e.g., 5 x 50), where heat builds quickly and the blend reads as monolithic from the start. In the Imperial, you get a slow-burning, layered evolution, with each inch revealing a new facet. The Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Imperial Maduro exemplifies this: the maduro wrapper’s sweetness lingers on the retrohale early, then gives way to a peppery, oak-driven core by the final third, all without ever feeling harsh—thanks to the cooling length.

Imperial Cigars in AshMap (1)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Imperial cigar?

An Imperial is a long, slender vitola, typically measuring 9.0 inches in length with a 47 ring gauge. It is a straight-sided parejo, not tapered, and its extreme length is its defining feature, allowing for a cool, gradual flavor evolution over a prolonged smoke.

How long does a Imperial cigar take to smoke?

At a normal cadence of one to two puffs per minute, a 9.0 x 47 Imperial will take roughly 90 to 120 minutes to smoke. The narrow ring gauge keeps the burn slow, but the length demands patience—this is not a quick smoke.

What ring gauge is a Imperial?

The Imperial format uses a 47 ring gauge, which is 47/64ths of an inch in diameter. This is a medium-narrow ring, providing a balanced draw and allowing the wrapper leaf to contribute significantly to the flavor profile.

What are the best Imperial cigars?

The standout example is the Padron 1964 Anniversary Series Imperial Maduro, which showcases the format’s ability to evolve from sweet to savory over its long length. While only one Imperial is currently in our encyclopedia, this Padron is the benchmark for the vitola.

Is a Imperial good for beginners?

Not ideal for beginners. The 90+ minute smoke time requires sustained attention, and the 47 ring gauge can deliver a more concentrated, wrapper-forward flavor that may feel intense for a novice palate. Beginners should start with shorter, thicker vitolas like a robusto to build tolerance and pacing before tackling an Imperial.