A belicoso cigar has a short, tapered head that comes to a rounded point, with a straight body below it. The taper narrows the draw and sends the smoke to the front of your palate, which concentrates the flavor. It's a distinctive shape with a long history in Cuban cigar making.

Our belicosos run from quick, 40-minute smokes to hour-long sessions, and from mild to full-bodied. See how the belicoso compares with every other shape on Cigars by Size & Shape.

Belicoso cigars collection at Cigar Nation

Belicoso Cigar FAQ

What is a belicoso cigar?

A belicoso is a cigar with a short, tapered, rounded point at the head. Belicoso comes from the Spanish word for "bellicose," a nod to its pointed shape. The body stays straight, so only the last bit of the cigar tapers. Most run about 5 to 6 inches with a 50 to 54 ring. Our Anatomy of a Cigar guide shows where the head, cap and foot are.

What's the difference between a belicoso and a torpedo?

Both have a tapered head, but the shape of the taper differs. A belicoso tapers over a short distance and ends in a softer, rounded point. A torpedo has a longer, sharper taper. Brands sometimes use the names loosely, so look at the cigar itself. In both, the taper concentrates the smoke and sharpens the flavor.

How do you cut a belicoso?

Snip just a little off the tip with a straight cut, starting small and adding more if the draw is tight. Cutting too far down the taper opens it wide and loses the effect. A V-cut also works well. See our cigar cutters, and our How to Smoke a Cigar guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.

What are the best belicoso cigars?