Your Cigar Journey Starts Here
Cigar Basics You Need to Know
First, here is some basic knowledge to help you get to know your cigar better.
Anatomy of a Cigar
To have any kind of discussion with a fellow cigar smoker or tobacconist, you need to know the different parts and names of a cigar.
How-To Videos & GIFs
Now, it’s time to dive into the basic skills and tools associated with cigar smoking. These how-to videos break down what you need to know to get started.
How Cigars Are Rolled
Making cigars is an art. In fact, there is so much tradition and knowledge that goes into making a great-tasting cigar, even a comprehensive cigar smoking guide like this can't explain it all. These skills come from generations of expertise, alongside years of training and practice. Master blenders understand how seed varieties and growing conditions affect the characteristics of cigars. They understand how to select specific tobacco leaves for the filler, binder and wrapper to achieve particular balance, strength and flavor profiles. Of course, you don’t have to have the knowledge of a master blender, but knowing the basic steps that go into making a premium cigar will help give you a greater appreciation for the cigars you’ll enjoy.
1. Cultivation
The plants grow from tiny seeds started in trays or pots. About 60 days after planting, the seeds have grown into seedlings and can be transplanted into the field. When the flower forms, it is removed via a process called "topping" that allows the leaves to grow evenly. Tobacco likes well-drained soil and prefers dry, warm growing conditions. Just as terroirs are important to the grape varietals in winemaking, the soil types where the tobaccos are grown also have a significant impact on the tobacco, producing lighter or darker colored leaves. Depending on the seed variety and growing conditions, the tobacco is ready to harvest in approximately two months.
2. Harvesting
There are two harvesting methods. One method, "stalk cutting," cuts the plant’s stalk close to the ground harvesting the entire plant at once. The other method, known as "cropping" or "priming," allows the upper leaves to reach maturation. Since the leaves mature from the ground up, the workers harvest only the ripe leaves - usually three or four from each plant at a time in one-week intervals.
3. Curing
This process contributes to the smoothness of the tobacco and is necessary to remove moisture while releasing sugar content. The intact tobacco leaves are tied or sewn onto lathes (cujes) and hung in barns or sheds for up to 30 days, or as long as necessary, depending on the type of curing - either air, sun or kiln. During the curing period, the leaves change color from green to yellow to orange, and finally, to brown.
4. Fermenting
During this stage, ammonia and any other impurities are removed from the leaves. The leaves are carefully removed from the lathes and piled into large heaps called pilons, and packed tightly. The weight and compression causes the internal temperature to rise which helps break down the ammonia and other impurities remaining in the leaves. The internal heat and humidity of the pilon are closely monitored during fermentation, and the pilons are rebuilt a number of times during the process by rotating the tobacco leaves from top to bottom as a new pilon is created. Also, partway through the process, the leaves may be sorted by texture, color, size or their intended purpose (as a binder or a wrapper). Once fermentation is complete, the tobacco is packed into bales weighing approximately 200 pounds. The bales are then stored away to age for a few years, or as long as necessary, before being rolled into cigars.
5. Rolling
In the simplest terms, rolling is the process of bunching the filler leaves within the binder leaves then wrapping or rolling them in the wrapper leaf, or capa. The art and craft of cigars, however, goes far beyond those simple steps. The leaves are separated from the bales, sorted (by color, etc.) and cased, or misted with water to make them easy to manipulate. The stems are removed from the leaves, then the filler is made from three or four different leaves bunched or pressed together in a cylinder-like shape. The binder leaves are then wrapped around these leaves to form the "bunch," either by hand or machine and placed in a wooden mold. For the final stage, the wrapper leaf is carefully rolled around the bunch, then the cap is applied to seal the head of the cigar, and the newly-rolled cigars are placed on top of the roller's desk for inspection.
6. Resting or Aging
As tobacco ages, the flavors continue to evolve. Once a cigar has been rolled, it is placed in a cedar-lined aging room for anywhere from 21 days to six months, depending on the manufacturer intentions for that specific cigar blend. This resting time allows the various tobaccos to marry and round-out for balance.
Premium Handmade Cigars
- Made entirely by hand
- Wrapped in whole tobacco leaf
- Contains 100% leaf tobacco binder
- Contains only natural, long-leaf filler tobaccos that are fermented and aged
- Smooth, tight wrapper that is slightly oily to touch
- Even burn
- Generally higher priced
Machine-Made Cigars
- Made on high-speed rolling machines
- May use a homogenized wrapper, which impacts the taste
- Consists of chopped tobaccos that may include stems and other leaf scraps
- Wrapper is duller in appearance
- Draw and burn quality can be inconsistent
- Generally lower priced
Cigar Terminology
Let’s get you rolling on the path to cigar enlightenment. First, some basic terminology about this fine tradition.