So I know there are a lot of resources on the internet and such regarding cigars. This is just a quick write-up I wanted to do. I’m learning about cars as I go so can’t say I’ve been able to contribute with a cool DIY or anything like but here is something I know a little about… cigars. There is so much more information available, this isn’t meant to cover everything – just enough to make you dangerous.
This isn’t meant to take away from the “Finer Things” Thread, just wanted to start a discussion dedicated to cigars. (
The Finer Things in Life)
I’m not really into the history of smoking, maybe someone else can chime in. Basically what you need to know is Columbus found the Americas, then tobacco, then it was exported to Europe.
Regions where is tobacco grown
US (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, & Florida)
Mexico – not very refined can be anything from mild to unbearable.
Brazil – more pronounced and heavy
Jamaica – litter than a Dominican, originally where “Macanudo” was produced.
Germany
Italy
Cameroon – heavier than Dominican, spicy and pungent aroma
Sumatra – spicy and mild
Java
Cuba is one of the most popular so let’s start there. There are four main growing regions: Vuelta Abajo – produces the best wrapper, binder and filler (only area in Cuba where all three are grown)
Partido - wrappers
Remedios – about 95% filler, 5% wrapper
Oriente - filler
The main reason Cuba is known to produce some of the best cigars in the world is due to the soil. The red earth is unique to the island and few other places in the world come close. A lot of people think that the weather is the main reason for the fine tobacco however weather changes and many other countries in the area have similar, almost identical climates. Workers are also very good at what they do in Cuba, but many great workers have been exiled to other cigar producing countries.
Ecuador has some of the best weather in terms of cloud cover and produces some of the best shade grown wrappers in the world. Mildly flavored yet subdued.
Dominican Republic has been getting a lot more attention recently. The country’s political stability has allowed for production of great tobacco and is often rated some of the best in the world. Generally a “mild” cigar.
Honduras/Nicaragua have more political tensions that have prevented the countries from being some of the top consistent producers. The border they share is rich with soil and climate. Hondurans are spicer than Domincans and more full bodied. Nicaraguans are a medium bodied and sweet, especially the wrappers.
Planting/Growing cigars
Planting begins with seeds in September-October. Plants are grown in pots for around 45 days until they are planted in the field. They stay there until maturity, approximately an additional 90 days. There are three different types of leaves on the tobacco plant. At the bottom Volado (mildest in flavor), in the middle Seco (medium flavored leaf), and the Ligero (the strongest in taste). These plants reach a height of 5-6 feet high. Usually all three types of leaves are combined to create a cigar. Ligero makes for a stronger tasting cigar and Volado makes for a lighter one. So if you wanted a “middle of the road” cigar could you have one just made from Seco? No. The flavor of only Seco would be way to bland which is why the different leaves are combined. Plants are primed 5-6 times, with 2-4 leaves being taken from each priming. The ligero leaves or the ones at the top are left on the plant longer. They receive more nutrients, become stronger, thicker and ideal for wrappers. The leaves are sorted by size and texture (they’re all green at this point). Leaves are cured and fermented in barns of varying temperatures. Never more than 165F, in Cuba not more than 120F and wrappers are cured between 90F-120F. The only exception is the Maduro which must be at least 165F if not higher to darken properly. The whole process takes at least a year, sometimes five, sometimes longer.
Rolling and Construction
The aged leaves are again sorted. Different leaves are gathered and blended – a blend is what makes every cigar taste different.
Wrappers – the part where most of the flavor of the cigar comes from and the part you most likely notice. Everything from vein size, to the oiliness, to the texture.
Basic breakdown of Wrapper colors:
Claro – light golden brown
Colorado – medium brown
Maduro – dark brown
Oscuro – brown/black
Pay attention to where your wrapper is from. For example, the popular “Connecticut” – was it grown in the U.S.? Ecuador? Etc. “Cameroon” as well – was it grown in Ecuador? Mexico? Or actually in Cameroon?
Binder – the blanket. Strong enough to hold the filler, yet adds flavor
Filler – always made from either long leaf only or a combination of short and long leaf (short leaf only is something like what you’d find inside of a Dutch Master)
Is it handmade or machine made? Handmade is like it sounds, completely hand rolled. Machine made again, made only by machine. Where it gets tricky is when the cigar’s filler/binder is bunched by machine, then turned over to a cigar roller to put on the wrapper. This quasi operation is still allowed to be called “Handmade” so it can be difficult to determine whether your cigar was truly handmade or if it’s “handmade.”
Sizes: most cigars are listed as say 7.5 X 50 (Churchill) the 7.5 is the length, the 50 is the ring size (how thick that sucker is).
Common Misconceptions
1. My ash is the whitest ever, that means I have the best cigar. Not true. Ash color is indicative of the amount of pH in the soil during the growing of the plants.
2. Leaving the band on while you smoke is rude. It’s really not so don’t worry about it. Plus, it’s better to remove the band after you’ve been smoking the cigar since the glue will heated up and separate easier. Don’t be that guy trying to take off his band right away and crack/scratch/damage the wrapper.
3. Don’t lick the stupid thing. You’re not going to humidify the cigar any more than it already is by sucking on it. Gross.
4. It’s boating (canoeing) whatever you say. There’s something I an do about this! Not really… this has more to do with the construction than anything else. I’ve tried dabbing some spit on the faster burning side, I’ve cut the cigar and started over, but usually if it’s going to boat – it’s going to boat.
How to Smoke it
It’s really up to you. Start by cutting it, the guillotine is the most popular but “V” cutters and punches work too. Really not too much of an opinion on this. I like to smell the cigar before I light it up. When you light it only use wooden matches or a butane lighter. Roll the cigar over the top of the flame, not touching it, to let it heat up. Then gently puff. I break my cigar down into 3rds, so 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3. I find the cigar really changes throughout it’s smoking life and different stages offer new flavors.
Suggestions
1. Try smoking two different cigars at one time, going back and forth. There’s no better way to tell the differences between cigars and you might recognize different flavors that really appeal to you.
2. Try smoking the same cigar brand/number but in different sizes. What you like as a “Churchill” you might hate as a “toro.” Different sizes, different ring sizes even, and different draws can change the experience.
3. Don’t go off what someone else says is the best. Their tastes might be completely different from yours. Explore for yourself, there’s nothing wrong with asking for a recommendation, and hey I'm always curious what others are smoking, but don't be that guy who buys only the top 25 in Cigar Aficionado.
Multiple resources used here, a good book for those interested is Richard Hacker's "Ultimate Cigar Book." A lot of this info is from there.
Editor's note: this is a rough draft. I've been tinkering for a little while and just wanted to upload something. I'll be back later to add some pictures of what I'm talking about, new things like different sizes, etc.