Many of us are banished outside to smoke cigars. Indeed, my brother-in-law and I found ourselves bundled up on Christmas evening, puffing on Partagás Serie D No. 4s in the chill, enjoying the moment despite the dropping temperature and the odd gust of wind. In retrospect, it would have probably been more practical to have a shorter, quicker smoke.
It’s a scenario many of us can relate to these days. With indoor smoking increasingly off-limits for most, a lot of cigar enjoyment now happens outdoors. The British winter is often cold, wet and gets dark early. Lingering outside is not much fun. If you’re in the same boat, banished to the garden, patio, or park path this winter, check out some of these cigars; they may make even the dreariest British drizzle feel a bit more civilised.
These compact cigars all deliver premium quality in under 30 minutes, pack intense flavor despite their size, and are available right now at Fareham Wine Cellar. Whether you’re stepping out for a quick break, braving the rain or need something portable for dog walks, these picks make winter smoking civilized and enjoyable.
Vegueros Cigars are a Cuban cigar brand that still flies a little bit under the radar. The Vegueros Centrogordos are a short robusto, which is the shortest and widest vitola in the Vegueros range (the other cigars are called Entretiempos, Mananitas and Centrofinos). If you are looking for a classic, short Cuban cigar, this is a great option.
These short, stubby cigars measure in at 3 7/8 inches with a 54 ring gauge. medium-bodied, with a balance of creamy tobacco, earth, and subtle spice. Smoking time 20 to 25 minutes. Buy now / Read more.
The Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro Robusto Corto is a Nicaraguan short robusto. It is a relatively new size in the Plasencia Alma Fuerte line and was launched in 2025. There are two halves to the Alma Fuerta range, half have rich and dark, maduro wrappers, and the other half, including this cigar, have lighter Colorado Claro wrappers.
Plasencia Cigars have a “seed-to-smoke” philosophy: they control every aspect of production, from planting and harvesting to ageing, blending, and hand-rolling. This Robusto Corto is 4 inches long with a 52 ring gauge and has hints of dark chocolate, plum, and cinnamon, with finishing notes of oak and molasses. Smoking time under 30 minutes. Buy now / Read more.
Personally, in colder weather, I prefer a fuller-bodied, richer cigar. If you are looking for a full-bodied, heavier Cuban cigar, then the Partagas Serie D No 6 is a great choice. This small Cuban cigar features the same fuller blend of tobaccos as the iconic Serie D No 4 and Serie P No 2.
It measures in at just 3 1/2 inches long with a 50 ring gauge, the smallest cigar in the “Serie” range and is perfect for a quick smoke but still offers the rich aromas and flavours associated with the Partagas brand. Smoking time 20 to 25 minutes. Think spicy, pepper, coffee, espresso, chocolate and woody character. Buy now / Read more.
The Zino Nicaragua Half Corona is compact, small cigar measuring 4 inches long with a 44 ring gauge. We buy these in tins of 5 cigars which have the added bonus that they are pre-cut, perfect if you are out and about and don’t have a cigar cutter with you.
Zino Nicaragua cigars are owned by Davidoff and hand-rolled in Honduras. They featrue an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a Seminal 56 seco binder cultivated in Nicaragua, and fillers that encompass Honduran visus from Olancho and Jamastran, Nicaraguan visus from Ometepe, and Dominican San Vicente and San Vicente Mejorado secos.
A flavorful medium-bodied delight featuring bold pepper upfront, evolving into creamy salted cashews, leather, cedar, and rich coffee notes throughout. Smoking time around 20 to 25 minutes. Read more / Buy now.
The Davidoff Primeros Domincan is the smallest of the cigars mentioned here, with a slim 34 ring gauge and a length of 4 1/8 inches. These Petit Panatelas are made from the same tobacco blend as Davidoff’s classic Panatela, the Signature No 2. They are also available in tins of 6 cigars.
These cigars feature a smooth Connecticut wrapper grown in Ecuador, a hybrid Connecticut/Habano Seco binder from Ecuador, and a filler blend of Piloto Seco, San Vicente Seco, and Olor Seco tobaccos sourced from the Dominican Republic.
This is the lightest of the cigars in this post. This is a smooth, mild-bodied smoke with creamy notes of cedar, wood, vanilla, and subtle spice, accented by gentle sweetness and nuts for a refined approachable profile. Smoking time 15 to 20 minutes.
These are a great quick smoke, especially if you are looking for something a little bit lighter in style. Great for a pre-dinner aperitif. Read more / Buy now.
I was prompted to write this blog post after a conversation with a customer who was looking for a short-ish smoke, something with under half an hour of smoking time, that also had a pretty wide ring gauge. Something that he could smoke while walking the dog. He ended up taking away two cigars to try, both short robusto style cigars: a Cuban Vegueros Centrogordo and a Plasencia Alma Fuerte Colorado Claro Robusto Corto from Nicaragua.
These winter cigar recommendations prove you don’t need hours (or warmth) to enjoy premium smoke. Visit our shop in Fareham for single cigars and expert advice!
There is no actual definition, but I would say any cigar under 4 inches long is a short cigar.
Not necessarily. Strength depends on the blend, not the size. Some short cigars are bold and full-bodied, while others are mild and creamy (like the Primeros above).
Yes. Short cigars are ideal for winter smoking, allowing you to enjoy a premium cigar without long exposure to the cold.
Not necessarily. A well-made short cigar should burn evenly when smoked slowly. However, a wider ring gauge helps keep the smoke cool and balanced.
Absolutely. Many premium short cigars are blended specifically to deliver complex flavour in a short smoking time.
