Cigar 101

Binder & Filler

Just under the wrapper lies the binder, the blanket that holds the filler in place. It is a specialized leaf in that it has to be strong enough to hold the filler in place and still add a complementary flavor to the filler and wrapper. Often the binder in a high quality cigar is composed of a single leaf that has cosmetic flaws that keep it from being used as wrapper leaf.

Filler is the “heart” of the cigar, and can be made up of long leaf (strips of tobacco that travel the length of the cigar in one piece) or short filler (smaller pieces of tobacco). Long leaf filler is the most expensive and has come to be associated with high quality cigars, while short filler is usually associated with machine-made cigars. When you see a long ash on a cigar you can be assured that the cigar in question has long filler; short filler ash would crumble before attaining any substantial length.

The overall blend of a cigar is composed of the interaction among the wrapper, binder and filler. The filler in a premium cigar is usually composed of two to as many as five different tobaccos – with the smaller ring gauge cigars having a less complex blend due to the impracticality of trying to stuff five different types of filler into the body of a small ring gauge cigar. Thus the small ring gauge cigars of a given brand may taste somewhat different than larger sizes from the same maker

Wrappers & Blends

The wrapper combines both the quality and craftsmanship of a  fine cigar. The Wrapper is usually made from the finest leaf tobacco and puts the finishing touches on a premium cigar. also, wrappers come in a variety of shades that have a subtle effect on the flavor. Below is a guide of these shades.

Claro-claro: light green, these wrappers are usually found on what are termed “mild” cigars. Cigars using this type of wrapper can taste rather sharp to the palate.

Claro: light tan, sometimes with a greenish cast. The smoke coming from these cigars is said to be light and mild.

Natural: also referred to as EMS or English Market Selection, this wrapper is medium brown both in color and strength. It offers a good combination of richness, smoothness, and balance of flavor.

Colorado or Rosado: there is a reddish cast to this wrapper. Less often found than the Natural, it is usually spicier and may possess a bit more strength.

Maduro: a dark brown wrapper. Maduro cigars tend to scare off the novice cigar smoker because of their intimidating color, but in truth the maduro wrapper is rich and smooth – not strong. At present maduro cigars are in great demand.

Oscuro (Double Maduro): darkest, coffee-black wrapper, usually having a distinctive richly-flavored taste.

Cutting your Cigar

Straight Cut / Slant Cut
This is the traditional method for cutting a cigar. Place the cutter about 1/4″ – 1/2″ into the cigars round/closed end and clip the cigar with a crisp clean cut. Sometimes cigar aficionados like to cut the cigar at a slight angle and has been referred to as a slant cut, French cut or angle cut.

V-Cut
This is a n alternate method that puts a  small V-shaped cut into the cigar. This method produces slower draw which is preferred by some cigar aficionados.

Punch / Bullet Cut
This is another method that used a round blade/die to hollow out a 1/4″ hole. This method also produces a slow draw and is a popular way to cut a cigar.

Toasting your Cigar

At a 90 degree angle hold your cigar above the flame of your lighter. Burning directly in the flame makes it too hot. Patiently twist or rotate the cigar until all parts of the foot are evenly warmed.

Place the cigar to your lips and with the flame still under the foot puff gently onto the cigar until the flames jump up. Continue to slowly rotate the cigar while occasionally blowing on the foot to ensure an even burn.

The ritual of lighting a cigar involves two very important principals. The first involves the instruments used to light the cigar and the second the enjoyment of your cigar. To begin with always use a butane lighter or a cedar or wooden match-stick. Try to never use a petrol lighter, a candle or a wax match as all of these impart odors that the cigar is quick to absorb. The second principle to remember is that a cigar must be lit with the utmost patience and tranquility. Nothing spoils the enjoyment of a cigar faster than a badly lit cigar.