The Evolution of Fat Ring Gauge Cigars: A 30-Year Timeline
Once seen as a novelty, thick-ring cigars have become a staple of modern humidors. Over the past three decades, cigars with ring gauges of 60 and above have grown from rare oddities to regular production offerings by nearly every major manufacturer.
Value, flavour, and visual impact have all contributed to their rise in popularity. This timeline explores the major milestones that took cigars from slim and classic to fat and fashionable.
The Early Novelties: 1987–1995
1987: Cuba Aliados Introduces The General
The first documented step towards bigger cigars came in 1987. Cuba Aliados released a cigar called The General, measuring 18 inches long with a 66-ring gauge. It was a novelty item—never meant for daily smoking—but it turned heads.
1994: Puros Indios Releases The Chief
Following up on The General, the makers of Cuba Aliados introduced The Chief. It mirrored the size of its predecessor and began to build a cult following among smokers intrigued by its sheer size.
1995: Diamond Crown Launches
J.C. Newman celebrated its 100th anniversary with Diamond Crown, a regular production line made in the Dominican Republic by Arturo Fuente. Every cigar in the line had a minimum ring gauge of 54—a bold move at the time.
Building Momentum: 1997–2005
1997: La Gloria Cubana Serie R Debuts
Ernesto Perez-Carrillo launched the Serie R line, featuring cigars with ring gauges of 52 and 54. It marked a shift toward bolder dimensions in everyday cigars.
2001: Serie R Adds a 6×60 Format
The Serie R No. 6 introduced the first major 6-by-60 cigar in a nationally distributed line. At this point, thick cigars started becoming mainstream.
2001: Puros Indios Moves Beyond Novelty
Puros Indios began producing cigars with 60-ring gauges as part of its regular lineup, helping shift the perception from gimmick to serious format.
2004: Tatuaje Adds Gran Cojonu
Pete Johnson’s boutique brand Tatuaje joined the trend by adding the Gran Cojonu (6 1/2 by 60) to its line, solidifying fat cigars as a craft option.
2005: XL For Men by Oliveros
Rafael Nodal—now known for Aging Room—launched XL For Men, a brand fully dedicated to large ring gauges: 52, 55, and 60.
Fat Becomes Fashionable: 2006–2012
2006: Altadis Releases Saint Luis Rey Serie G
Altadis U.S.A. responded to rising demand with Serie G, offering cigars in 56, 58, and 60-ring gauges. The “G” stood for “Gigante”—a nod to size over subtlety.
2010: Cuba Joins the Trend
Habanos released two of its thickest cigars ever: Romeo y Julieta Wide Churchill (55 ring gauge) and Cohiba Behike BHK 56. These premium cigars legitimised thick formats in traditional markets.
2011: Drew Estate Introduces MUWAT
Drew Estate took things further with My Uzi Weighs A Ton—a full line of 60-ring cigars that embraced heft in name and size.
2011: La Flor Dominicana Debuts The Digger
Litto Gomez joined in with The Digger, an 8×60 monster that looked more like a baton than a cigar. It brought serious flavour and length to the big ring category.
2012: E.P. Carrillo Releases Inch
Returning to the spotlight, Ernesto Perez-Carrillo launched Inch. Its standout vitola had a 64-ring gauge—exactly one inch in diameter. Later, the line would include cigars up to 70-ring gauge.
2012: Cigar Aficionado Adds ‘Grandes’ Category
Recognising the trend, Cigar Aficionado added a new category in its rating system: Grandes, specifically for oversized cigars.
The Supersized Era: 2013–2021
2013: Asylum 13 Breaks Boundaries
Asylum Cigars released cigars in sizes like 7×70 and 8×80, pushing the boundaries of what a premium cigar could be.
2014: Room101’s Big Payback
Matt Booth followed the trend with The Big Payback, offering 7×70 and 8×80 formats in an accessible, budget-friendly line.
2016: Cuba Produces a 60-Ring Cigar
For the first time in its history, Cuba produced a 60-ring-gauge cigar: the Cohiba 50 Aniversario. Though limited in production, it marked a historical shift in Cuban cigar design.
2019: JFR Goes Lunatic
JFR Cigars launched Lunatic Loco, featuring oddly shaped perfectos and a jaw-dropping 5 1/2 by 80 Gran Loco. Its design looked more like a zeppelin than a smoke.
2021: Asylum’s 9×90—A Joke Becomes Reality
Asylum jokingly announced a 9×90 cigar for April Fool’s Day. Consumer enthusiasm was so strong, they actually released it—and have done so every year since.
Big Is Now the Norm
Today, 60-ring cigars are no longer a niche. They appear in nearly every brand portfolio, from Cuban classics to American boutiques. Many smokers cite better value for money, longer smoking times, and richer flavours as reasons for going big. And manufacturers have clearly responded.
What started as a novelty in 1987 has become the new normal—one thick cigar at a time.
