What Is a Medio Tiempo / Short Robusto Cigar?

The Medio Tiempo / Short Robusto lives at 5.0 inches by a 54 ring gauge — a fat, stumpy format that packs significant filler volume into a compact frame. That 54 ring gauge is the defining mechanic: more filler leaf per cross-section means a cooler, slower-burning core, but it also dilutes the proportion of wrapper and binder relative to the total blend, so wrapper-driven nuance gets muted while filler character (strength, earth, spice) steps forward. Draw resistance stays moderate-to-open because the wide channel moves air easily, but combustion can lag if the bunch is under-packed. Compare it to a standard Robusto (5.0 x 50): the extra four points of ring gauge add roughly 15–20 minutes of smoke time and shift the flavor balance toward the ligero-heavy core rather than the wrapper. The short length means less distance for the smoke to travel and cool, so the first third arrives warmer and more immediate than in a Churchill or Toro.

Medio Tiempo / Short Robusto Cigars in AshMap (1)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Medio Tiempo / Short Robusto cigar?

A short, thick vitola typically measuring 5.0 inches in length with a 54 ring gauge, as exemplified by the Cohiba Behike BHK 54. The name references the medio tiempo leaf — a rare, sun-grown priming from the top of the tobacco plant — which is often featured in these compact, full-bodied blends.

How long does a Medio Tiempo / Short Robusto cigar take to smoke?

At a normal cadence of one puff every 45–60 seconds, a 5.0 x 54 Short Robusto takes approximately 45–60 minutes. The wide ring gauge slows the burn slightly compared to a 50-gauge Robusto, but the short length keeps total smoke time well under an hour.

What ring gauge is a Medio Tiempo / Short Robusto?

54 ring gauge, paired with a 5.0-inch length. This is the only size listed in the encyclopedia for this format, based on the Cohiba Behike BHK 54.

What are the best Medio Tiempo / Short Robusto cigars?

The Cohiba Behike BHK 54 is the definitive example in this format, famous for incorporating actual medio tiempo leaf. Other cigars in this size range include the Cohiba Behike BHK 52 and BHK 56, which share the same 54-ring-gauge family but vary slightly in length.

Is a Medio Tiempo / Short Robusto good for beginners?

Generally no — the 54 ring gauge delivers a dense, concentrated smoke with amplified strength and spice from the filler, and the short length means less time for the blend to mellow. Beginners are better served by a thinner ring gauge (40–46) and a longer, gentler format like a Corona or Petit Corona, where the wrapper plays a larger role and the smoke stays cooler and more approachable.