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SOME CIGAR BASICS
Growing Regions:
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Honduras/Nicaragua
- Mexico
- USA (Connecticut)
- Central African Republic – Cameroon
- Indonesia
Process:
- Similar to Wine
- From seed to cigar it takes between 2 – 3 years
- Growth 18 weeks
- Fermentation 6 weeks
- Aging 18 – 24 months
Rolling:
Tobaccos are blended and bunched (2 – 4 different tobaccos) to create the filler.
The filler is rolled in a flat somewhat elastic leaf of tobacco known as the binder.
Rolled into a bunch, the tobacco is put into a wooden mold and pressed into shape for about an hour.
The roller then wraps the bunch in a wrapper leaf which is supple, very elastic and visibly pleasing.
The cigar is capped and trimmed to uniform size.
The finished cigar is then aged at the very least 21 days and many factories age the finished cigars up to 6 months to let the different tobaccos marry together.
Wrapper Shades:
Although manufacturers have identified over 100 different shades, only six are of great distinction.
Double Claro - Also known as “American Market Selection” (AMS) or “Candela”, this is a green wrapper.
Claro – This is a very light tan color, almost beige in shade; usually from Connecticut.
Colorado Claro – A medium brown found on many cigars, this category covers many descriptions. The most popular are “Natural”, or “English Market Selection” (EMS). Tobaccos in this shade are grown in many different countries.
Colorado – This shade is instantly recognizable by the obvious reddish tint.
Colorado Maduro – Darker than Colorado Claro in shade , this color is often associated with African tobacco, such as wrappers from Cameroon, or with Havana Seed tobacco grown in Honduras.
Maduro – Very dark brown or black; this category also includes the deep black “Oscuro” shade. Tobacco for Maduro wrappers is grown in Connecticut, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Brazil.
Shapes and Sizes:
Length x Ring Gauge
Length = inches
Ring Guage = diameter stated as 64th of an inch
Parts:
Head – Part of cigar that is cut.
Foot – Part of cigar that is lit.
Straights:
Churchill 7 x 48
Corona 5 ½ - 6 x 42 – 44
Double Corona 7 ½ - 8 x 49 – 52
Lonsdale 6 ¼ - 7 x 42 – 44
Panatela 5 – 6 x 38
Petite Corona 4 ½ x 40 – 42
Robusto 4 ½ - 5 ½ x 50
Toro/Corona Gorda 5 – 6 x 46 – 50
Figurados:
Culebra- 3 twisted together panatelas
Diademas- 8 x 40/52 – 54 (closed and tapered head)
Pyramid- 6 – 7 x 40/52 – 54 (sharply tapered head and larger foot)
Torpedo- 6 – 7 x 40/52 – 54 (closed foot, a pointed head, and a bulge in the middle)
Belicoso- 5 – 5 ½ x 50 (tapered head)
Perfecto- 4 ½ - 9 x 38 – 48 (closed foot, a round head, and a bulge in the middle)
Cutters:
Guillotine – Single, Double and Scissor. Used to cut the end off, leaving a slight curvature of the head so that it rests nicely on the lips.
V-Cut – V-cutter or knife. Cuts a v-shaped valley in the head. A popular way to cut a cigar when a cutter is not available.
Plug – Cuts a perfect circle in the head and pulls a small portion of tobacco out.
Lighting:
Don’t let flame touch foot of cigar.
Turn Cigar while lighting.
When embers appear - blow through cigar to remove any unwanted odors that flame may have caused (butane, lighter fluid, sulfur).
Experienced smokers prefer to light their own and may sometimes prefer to light with cedar strips.
Don’t butt out a cigar – It will extinguish itself in a matter of a minute or two if not drawn upon.
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