How to Cut a Torpedo Cigar Without Wrecking the Tip
Learn how to cut a torpedo cigar the right way. This beginner-friendly guide covers the tapered head, which cutters work, and how to get a clean, open draw every time.
The short answer
A torpedo is a cigar with a tapered, pointed head instead of a round, flat cap. That cone shape changes how you cut it — you need to remove less of the tip than you think, or you risk an overly open draw.
A torpedo cigar looks different the moment you pick one up. While most cigars have a rounded, roughly flat head, the torpedo tapers to a point — a shape that makes it unmistakable and, for first-timers, a little intimidating to cut. Cut it the way you'd cut a normal cigar and you can easily remove too much, turning a good draw into a loose, unraveling mess.
The good news: once you understand why the taper changes things, the cut itself is straightforward.
What makes a torpedo different from a regular cigar
The torpedo (also called a belicoso when the taper is gentler, or grouped broadly with figurados — cigars with irregular shapes) has its head drawn to a narrow point rather than sealed with a flat cap. That point concentrates the leaf and changes what you're actually cutting.
On a standard parejo (a cigar with a cylindrical body and round head), you cut a few millimeters from the top of a flat cap. The opening you create is predictable. On a torpedo, even a small cut at the tip exposes a larger cross-section of tobacco than it looks like it will, because you're working with a cone. That's why torpedo owners often end up with a draw that's sloppier than intended — they used the same instinct they have for any other cigar and took off too much.
The best cutter for a torpedo cigar
Sharp guillotine cutter (straight cut)
A double-guillotine cutter — the standard hinged cutter with two blades that close from both sides — is the workhorse choice for torpedoes. It gives you precise control over how much you take off, and because you can open it to any position before cutting, you can start with a very small snip.
A single-blade guillotine works too, but the dual-blade closes more evenly and reduces the chance of splitting the wrapper along one side.
V-cut
The V-cut is arguably the best match for a torpedo's shape. Instead of slicing off a full section of the tip, the V-cutter presses a wedge-shaped notch into the tapered head. This keeps the tip mostly intact while opening a channel for airflow — and because you're not removing the whole top, the risk of over-cutting drops significantly.
If you want to understand the differences between cut types in more detail, the straight cut vs V-cut vs punch guide walks through each one.
Punch cut — skip it here
A punch bores a round hole and works beautifully on a flat-capped cigar. On a torpedo's pointed tip, the punch has nothing stable to press against. You risk cracking the head or getting a lopsided, sloppy hole. Leave the punch for your parejos.
How to cut a torpedo step by step
1. Check your draw before you do anything. Hold the uncut torpedo to your lips and try to pull air through it. You'll get very little — the tip is sealed — but you're getting a feel for the cigar's density.
2. Position the cutter well above the tip — then lower slowly. Open your guillotine cutter wide and hold the torpedo head inside it. Start with the blade positioned so you'd only remove about a quarter-inch from the point — often less. The common mistake is to line up the cut where the taper starts to widen, which takes off far too much.
3. Cut decisively and in one motion. A slow, hesitant cut drags the blade and can crack or tear the wrapper. Once you've set your position, close the cutter firmly and quickly.
4. Test the draw immediately. Before you reach for a lighter, put the torpedo to your lips and draw gently. You want to feel a slight, comfortable resistance — like drawing through a coffee straw. If it's still quite tight, make one more thin snip. If the draw feels open and easy already, stop — you're done.
5. Light and enjoy. Now you're ready to light. For the cleanest, most even burn, a torch lighter or cedar spill works best on the tapered head. Our guide on how to light a cigar covers the full technique.
The golden rule: start small, snip again if needed
You can always take more off. You cannot put it back. That principle applies to all cigar cutting, but it matters most with a torpedo because the tapered geometry amplifies every millimeter. A quarter-inch cut on a torpedo opens significantly more tobacco than the same cut on a flat-capped cigar.
Start conservative. Test the draw. Snip again only if you need to.
Tracking your cigars — torpedo included
Once you find a torpedo you love, it's worth logging it. Casa DNC lets you track your cigars by name, wrapper, strength, and your own tasting notes, so you can remember which ones you've cut well and what pairings worked. It takes thirty seconds to log a smoke and saves you from re-learning your favorites.
Cutting a torpedo cigar comes down to patience and a light hand. Respect the taper, start with less than you think you need, and test the draw before lighting. Do that, and the torpedo's dramatic shape becomes a feature, not a problem — you get a focused, flavorful draw from one of the most elegant shapes in the cigar world.
Browse more cuts and techniques in our guide to cutting a cigar or explore the full cigar library to find your next torpedo to practice on.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a torpedo cigar?
- A torpedo is a cigar with a tapered, pointed head instead of a round, flat cap. That cone shape changes how you cut it — you need to remove less of the tip than you think, or you risk an overly open draw.
- What cutter works best for a torpedo?
- A sharp double-guillotine straight cutter is the most reliable choice. A V-cut also works well on a torpedo because it notches into the taper without removing the whole tip. Punches are tricky on a pointed head and are best avoided.
- How much do you cut off a torpedo?
- Cut only about a quarter-inch — sometimes less. Start conservative. Because the head tapers to a point, even a small cut opens a surprisingly wide hole. You can always snip more if the draw is too tight, but you cannot undo an overly aggressive cut.
- Can I use a V-cut on a torpedo?
- Yes, and many smokers prefer it. The V-cut presses a wedge notch into the taper without slicing off a full cap, which keeps the draw focused and reduces the risk of cutting too much.
- What if my torpedo draw is too tight after cutting?
- Make one additional snip, a paper-thin amount at a time, until the draw opens up. Test the draw cold before you light — you want gentle resistance, not a struggle. If it is still tight, try lightly rolling the head between your fingers to coax the tobacco open.
Keep reading
How to Use a Cigar Punch: Step-by-Step for Beginners
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Straight Cut vs V-Cut vs Punch: Which Cigar Cut to Use?
Straight cut vs V-cut vs punch — how each cigar cut changes the draw, the pros and cons of each, and a simple way to pick the right one for your cigar.
How to Cut a Cigar: Straight Cut, V-Cut & Punch Guide
Learn how to cut a cigar the right way — straight cut, V-cut, and punch explained, when to use each, and exactly how much to cut (just the cap, nothing more).