Actually - the Corona (42-45 RG) or Lonsdale (42-44 RG) which are (both not much bigger than the 34-38 RG Panatela) vitola's have historically been the favored Cuban cigars. The US market is what has largely influenced the emergence of Robusto and other similar "Gigante" vitolas.

I'm with others - one of my preferred smokes is the Lancero (roughly the same ring gauge, but a bit longer). My favorite's are the Trinidad Fundadore's and Opus X Petit Lancero's.