What Makes a Great Cigar

"The body" of a great cigar, known as filler, the tobacco which the binder and wrapper are wrapped. Creating balance from up 10 different types of tobacco, and having it to burn evenly and satisfactory is the art of making a Cigar.

The first layer of a cigar, the binder, is the inner wrapping of the Cigar. Great cigars are held together by a robust leaf, it has the elasticity and strength to keep the filler together by using a number of cuttings from one tobacco leaf. This wrapping influences the taste, burn, and aroma.

The wrapper is the finishing touch of a great Cigar. The narrow piece of the finest tobacco cut from the best leaves is wrapped around the cigar. The outside of the Cigar will determine the taste, and characteristics of the final taste.

The ring gauge, diameter of the cigar will give you a idea of how full bodied the smoke. The larger the ring size, generally, the smoother, slower and cool the smoke will be. Ring gauge is the standard set to measure the diameter of a cigar. 64 ring is equal one inch.

Types of Cigars are either short filler, or long filler. Long filler has long, thin strips of tobacco, along the length of the cigar, and are generally made in Cuba and Dominican Republic. They are generally made by hand, and need to be stored at a proper humidity and temperature.

Petit Corona, Corona, or Robusto

The Petit Corona, and Corona have straight sides with a rounded head, for its cut end. Its long and larger diameter allows for a clean, even smoke, lasting about 45 min. The Robusto is a little larger in diameter and smokes for a little longer.

Panatella or Lonsdale:

As with the Corona, it is longer and its thin shape allows for more of a full flavored smoke.

Torpedo or Perfecto

Torpedo Cigar has a cone shaped head, which is rounded and tapers off at the end. The Perfecto tapers at both ends, with both taking about 45 – 50 min to finish.

Churchill

This is generally a full flavored Cigar, and you need a lot of time to smoke. Not to mention the looks people will give you when you walk in the room. I personally like this size due to its long draw and even smoke.

Types of Wrappers

Connecticut shade/ Connecticut Broadleaf comes from Cuban seed, the Hazelwood strain, Shade literally gets its golden hue due from growing under shade in the Connecticut River Valley, while Broadleaf grown under the sun, lends to a coarser, darker, sweet wrapper.

Natural or Claro is grown under cheesecloth to protect the leaves from the sun. Fully matured it is allowed to slowly dry creating its natural color, delicate, and smooth taste.

Maduro is a shade of wrapper varying from very dark brown to almost black, resulting from the longer exposure to the sun. This cooking process gives the smoke almost chocolate flavor.

Colorado Claro/ Colorado have a slightly reddish hue, with the Claro more flavorful than a natural cigar.

Areas of Cigars

Dominican Republic is one of the top producer of quality tobacco, in the area of Cibao River Valley in the northern half of the country near Santiago.

Connecticut Valley holds some the world’s greatest golden colored wrapper leaves and is regarded by cigar makers and connoisseurs.

Indonesia is becoming a excellent choice for its dark, tasty, and fragile wrapper tobacco. This wrapper is also grown under shade.

Honduras produces full bodied, strong, spicy flavored Cigars.

Cuban tobacco is regarded as one of the finest tobacco. Since the embargo in 1963, Cuban tobacco isn’t allowed to sold in the United States.

Go and enjoy a great cigar.