Glossary

8-9-8

A standard cigar box designed to hold eight cigars on top, nine in the middle, and eight on the bottom.

Accordion (Bunch) Rolling

This bunching technique involves folding the outer sides of the filler leaves inward, one at a time, and placing the leaves on top of each other until the bunch is complete: then the leaves are rolled up together, with a binder, like a scroll. These ""folds"" allow more air passage through the cigar.  Accordion rolling  takes more skill and time to execute than Book Rolling, but is not as sophisticated as  Entubado Rolling. Accordion Rolling can also be called "Arrugado", which means wrinkled in Spanish.

Air-Curing

The curing process used for Cigar tobaccos (Dark Air-Cured) and also for  Burley tobaccos. After being harvested, cigar leaves are hung in pairs in Curing Barns/Casas de Tabaco for approximately 50 days. During air curing, leaves lose their Chlorophyll and 85% of their humidity.   See Stalk-Curing for advanced learning.

American Market Selection (AMS)

This terminology refers to Claro and Double Claro colored cigars which were popular in The United States during the middle 20th Century.

Ammonia

An alkaline compound that exists naturally in the tobacco leaf. Much of the ammonia is expelled as a gas during the fermentation process.

Barber Poll

A term describing a cigar wrapped with two overlapping and color contrasting wrappers: looks like a barber pole or candy cane.

Belicoso

This cigar shape traditionally was a small Pyramid between 5 to 5 1/2 inches long. Today the size can refer to cigars with a rounded and tapered/pointed head.

Binder

The dense, strong leaf that is applied to the outside of the filler tobaccos. The Binder protects and forms the filler tobaccos in the molds and presses.

Blend

The combination of different types of tobacco used to create a specific character and taste. In a cigar, this includes the filler, binder, and wrapper leaves from different parts of the plant, different plants, and different regions. Ultimately, blending is a big part of the art of making great luxury tobacco products.

Body

1) The middle part of the cigar, also referred to as the barre
2) The breadth and depth (spectrum) of flavor of a tobacco. Body is also referred to as richness and fullness and is perceived as mouth feel. Body should not be confused with the tobacco's strength or spice.

Book (Bunch) Rolling

An alternative to Entubado or Accordion rolling, Booking involves laying filler leaves flatly on top of one another and then folding them up, like a book or taco, to complete the bunch. This technique is simpler than Entubado and Accordion rolling and creates a less aerated cigar structure: placing the leaves directly on top of each other does not allow as much air to pass through each individual leaf in the cigar. The advantage of Book Rolling is that it is quicker and more efficient from a manufacturing perspective. This is probably the most popular technique for making premium cigars today.

Box Press

Technique which squares off the sides of a traditional "cylinder" shaped cigar. The Cuban Box Press is a by-product of the tight box helping to shape very humid cigars into a square.

Broadleaf

Broadleaf is a dark tobacco varietal family popular for producing wrappers leaves that are enormous, resilient, and thick. These leaves are ideal for creating a Maduro colored wrapper. Traditionally, Broadleaf wrapper is not primed, but rather the whole plant is stalk-cut when it matures.

Bundle

The method of packaging cigars without a box, usually in packs of 20, 25 or 50. Bundles are typically more economical cigars, and often do not have bands. Typically, cigar makers release their "seconds" in Bundles.

Cameroon

Common name for tobacco grown in Central Africa, these plants are descended from Sumatran seed. Known for their rich flavors and aromas, they are often used as wrapper leaves.

Candela

Also known as Double Claro, these leaves are Flue-Cured (or heat cured) to fix the chlorophyll levels in the leaf and produce the desired Green color.

Canoeing

The uneven, one-sided burn of a cigar. This is caused by sub-standard rolling, improperly placed filler, uneven humidity, or poorly fermented raw materials.

Cap

The circular piece of Wrapper leaf that finishes the head of a cigar.

Capa

Spanish word for cigar Wrapper leaf.

Cedar/Cedros

Spanish Cedar is neither Spanish nor a Cedar; it is a member of the Meliaceae, or Mahogany family. It is commonly used for cigar boxes and cigar aging because it is naturally pest resistant, hygroscopic, and naturally abundant in Central America and the Caribbean.

Centro Fino

The third level of leaves from the top of the corojo plant between the centro gordo and centro ligero leaves.

Centro Gordo

The second level of leaves from the top of the corojo plant just below the top corona leaves.

Centro Ligero

The leaves on the third level from the bottom of the corojo plant, between the centro fino and uno y medio leaves. Not to be confused with the criollo plant, where the term Ligero refers to the top leaves which are exposed to the most sun.

Chisel

Figurado cigar with a round foot and a flattened head.

Churchill

A large cigar, traditionally 7 x 48.

Cigarillo

A small cigar, composed of Short Filler tobacco, and made by machine. Cigarillos are often Dry Cured, in the European tradition. Cigarillos are not Premium Cigars since they are not made from Long Filler or by hand

Claro

A cigar wrapper leaf which is pale green to light brown in color. Growing the leaf under shade helps keep the color light.

Cloud-Grown

The term used to describe cigar tobacco grown in Ecuador which is naturally shaded by consistent cloud cover. The naturally diffused light diminishes vein size and yields thinner leaves with a very consistent color and more subtle taste/aroma.

Cold Draw

The process of puffing on a cigar after cutting, but before lighting. This can help you test the pre-light flavors of the cigar and the draw. If the draw seems tight you can take a little more off the head and/or massage the body of the cigar to loosen up the filler tobaccos.

Color [Wrapper Leaf]

General Cuban classifications of Wrapper colors from lightest to darkest: Clarissimo, Double Claro, Claro, Colorado Claro, Colorado, Colorado Maduro, Maduro, Oscuro.

Corojo

Cuban tobacco plant (seed varietal) grown under cheesecloth [to redirect harsh sunlight] and used for cigar Wrappers. From top to bottom leaf classifications: Coronas, Centro Gordo, Centro Fino, Centro Ligero, Uno Y Medio, and Libre de Pie.

Corona

The top leaves of the Corojo plant. Also a term used in the cigar world to describe the approximate cigar size of 5 1/4" x 44(ring gauge).

Corona Gorda

A modern favorite cigar shape measuring approximately 6 x 50.

Criollo

Cuban tobacco plant (seed varietal) grown under direct sunlight and used for Fillers and Binder. Produces 6 to 7 pairs of leaves: Ligero, Seco, Volado, (all fillers) and Capotes (Binders).

Cuban Seed

This term refers to seeds or varieties that originate from Cuba, but are typically grown in other countries. Since most dark tobacco/cigar varieties originate from Cuba, this is a very general term.

Culebra

Spanish word for "Snake" which describes the braiding of three loosely filled, thin cigars which are held together by string. The practice of braiding cigars together came out of Cuba when factory owners needed a way to control the rollers’ cigar smoking. Culebras were distributed as the day's ration of cigars. As the rollers smoked the Culebras, the squirmy look of the cigar signaled the factory managers that the rollers were not smoking the premium inventory.

Curing

While Curing dries out the raw tobacco, it is more accurately described as the process of altering the chemical and organic properties of the leaves: converting starch to sugar, oxidizing sugar, losing chlorophyll, moisture etc... Freshly picked Tobacco leaves contain as much as 85% of their weight in moisture. When the moisture is removed, the chemical and organic changes are halted. Different Curing methods are used for different types of raw tobacco: Air, Fire, Flue, and Sun. See Dry Cured Cigars for information on the Curing of finished cigars.

Diademas

A cigar approximately 8 inches long which is tapered at both ends, like a large Perfecto.

Double Claro

Also known as Candela, Jade, and American Market Selection (AMS), these leaves are Flue-Cured (or heat cured) to fix the chlorophyll levels in the leaf and produce the desired Green color.

Double Corona

A cigar which is larger than a Churchill: approximately 7 to 8 inches long with a ring gauge of 49 or bigger.

Dry Cured Cigars

These cigars are slowly baked in an oven, after they are manufactured. They require only 12-15% relative humidity for preservation; this is approximately the same as indoor humidity. Dry Cured Cigars are usually machine-made with Sumatran, Central African, and/or Brazilian tobaccos. They are typically manufactured where they are most popular, in Europe.

English Market Selection (EMS)

This terminology refers to cigars which are a light to medium brown.

Entubado Bunching (Entubar)

A technical rolling format which involves rolling each filler leaf into itself, almost like a small scroll. Each individually "scrolled" leaf is then placed together to form the bunch. This skillful rolling technique creates a more firmly packed and balanced cigar which provides an excellent draw. Entubado Rolling is the most difficult and complex bunching method and is therefore rarely employed in large scale manufacturing.

Estrujado Bunching

A hybrid of entubado bunching, a.k.a. 'lazy entubado'. This technique uses a base of two tobacco leaves which are folded (semi-scrolled) and the filler leaves are scrolled and placed within it. Lastly, the entire bunch is wrapped with the binder leaf

Fermentation

Also known as "Sweating" or "Trabajando". It is the natural, vigorous, highly controlled process that accounts for the majority of flavor + aroma development and distinction in cigar tobaccos. Fermentation occurs when moisture, heat, oxygen, and pressure levels reach a critical synergy: the result is an expulsion of ammonia and other unpalatable organic components of the leaf. The temperatures in Fermentation piles are closely monitored: the piles are deconstructed and re-configured before they get too hot. Tobacco can easily be depleted of flavor + aroma characteristics if over Fermented. Under Fermented tobacco will be noxious, unrefined, and "green" (an industry term with no relation to the leaf color).

Figurado

Any cigar which is not a consistent cylindrical shape. For example: Torpedo, Pyramid, Perfecto.

Filler

The combination of distinct tobacco leaves which constitute the "guts" of the cigar. Filler must be expertly bunched to make a well constructed cigar that will draw and burn in balance.

Finish

A Tasting term which describes the lingering flavors and sensations left behind on the smoker’s palate.

Fire-Curing

The curing process which uses small fires in an enclosed space to flavor tobacco. Fire-Curing involves using aromatic woods as fuel, which imparts flavor into the tobaccos. Fire-Curing can be done after a Sun-Curing, as is the case with Latakia (a city in Syria) tobaccos.

Foot

The typically flat and open end of a cigar that gets lit.

Fuma

A Fuma can also be a short filler rustically finished cigar; this can include a twisted head and a shaggy foot.

Habano

This term refers to a cigar rolled in Cuba exclusively from Cuban tobacco leaves.

Habano Seed

A traditional Cuban seed varietal family that has been hybridized and cross-bred to create many new modern varietals. Traditional Habano Seed is still used to produce many cigars throughout Central America.

Havana Seed

A general classification for dark air-cured tobacco seed varieties that originated from Cuba. Havana seed varieties are grown throughout all cigar growing regions.

Head

The cap and shoulder of a cigar; the end of a cigar which touches the mouth.

Hecho a Mano

This term means "Made by Hand" but it refers to cigars that have a machine bunched filler .

Jalapa Valley

A famous cigar tobacco growing region in the North Eastern part of Nicaragua, near the Southern border of Honduras.

Jamastran Valley

A famous cigar tobacco growing area in the South Eastern part of Honduras near the Northern Nicaraguan border.

Large Cigars

Cigars weighing more than three pounds per one thousand cigars; as defined by the U.S. government.

Leaf

The part of the tobacco plant which is meant to be smoked.

Liga

The Spanish term for the Blend, which is the combination of different tobacco leaves and proportions to create a specific character and taste. In a cigar this includes the filler binder and wrapper leaves.

Ligero

One of the 3 basic types of filler leaves of the Criollo plant: Seco, Volado, Ligero. Ligero leaves are from the top of the plant and are exposed to the most sun. Ligero leaves are known for being dense, rich, and robust.

Little Cigars

Cigars that weigh three pounds or less per thousand as defined by the U.S. government.

Long Filler

The whole leaves which are used in premium cigars: not chopped up pieces of leaf.

Lonsdale

A long and slender cigar, usually around 6 x 42(ring gauge).

Maduro

In its most limited sense, the term maduro can simply refer to a dark or black wrapper color - these color wrappers can result from late primings or stalk-cutting broadleaf tobaccos. But, a true maduro will have a wrapper which has undergone longer and/or more intense (higher temperature) fermentation that produces a richer, earthier, and sweeter flavor.

Marrying Room

The room where cigars [in bundles of 50] are stored in cedar cabinets after rolling. The room and cabinets allow the cigars to lose some of their excessive humidity and reach a balanced state. This process is necessary because cigar tobacco is "overly" moist during rolling.

Mata Fina

A Brazilian varietal cigar tobacco that is grown in the Reconcavo Basin. Mata Fina is Sun-Grown and produces excellent Oscuro Maduro Wrappers. The flavor profile is typically rich, mild to medium strength, very aromatic, and naturally sweet.

Molds

Wood (or plastic) forms which give the binder and filler their cigar-like shape. Cigar Molds are filled with Bunches and then placed in a Press for approximately 45 minutes and then rotated by 1/3rd, several times, to eliminate any seam. The Bunches can also be left in the Mold and Press overnight if convenient, but the result will be the same.

Mazo

Spanish term for a 25, or more commonly 50 cigar bundle.

Natural (Wrapper Color)

A term used to describe light brown to brown wrapper color: ranging from Claro to Colorado Rosado

Nub

The last 1 to 2 inches of a cigar; usually a reference to 'smoking past the band'.

Nubbing

The act of smoking the last inch or two of a Cigar; or 'smoking past the band'.

Oil

The result of well conditioned cigars, oils are exuded by tobacco leaves as they age.

Olor

A variety of Dominican cigar tobacco which has large leaves and is commonly used for filler and binder. Olor tobacco can have a distinctly dry flavor, or drying effect on the mouth. Olor is also the Spanish term for "Smell".

Oscuro

The blackest shade of tobacco leaf; but not necessarily Maduro. Typically Mexican and Brazilian leaves can achieve this color without going through the additional "Maduro" fermentation.

Panatela

A slender cigar shape, traditionally 6" x 38(ring gauge), though frequently longer.

Parejo

This term refers to straight-sided cigars; also known as standard or straight, not Figurado.

Pelo de Oro

While this is a Spanish term meaning "golden hair" it is usually a reference to a potent Cuban cigar varietal which was popular in the early and middle 20th Century. This tobacco could be used for wrapper and filler as well, but is disease prone and can infest entire crops and regions so it is rarely grown today. Pelo de Oro can be considered a 'campesino' or 'guajiro' tobacco since many agricultural workers grow and smoke it to this day - especially in the central part of Cuba. It is known for being quite strong and flavorful as well as sweet

Perfecto

A cigar approximately 4 to 6 inches long which is tapered at both ends and bulbous at the center.

Picadura

1.) Spanish term meaning "short filler" or scraps of tobacco.
2.) Picadura can also refer to the small under-developed leaves that grow just under the tobacco flower and above the ligero/corona leaves. The Spanish term Pica Dura (two words) translates into "Bites Hard/Strong"

Pig-Tail

The cigar Head finishing technique that rolls the Flag into a tight scroll and is then tied into a knot. Pig-Tails can easily be bitten off in lieu of cutting.

Piloto

A varietal family of filler tobacco which originated in Cuba but is now commonly cultivated in the Dominican Republic and Central America.

Plug

The effect of poor craftsmanship or inferior raw materials that inhibits the draw of a cigar.

Plume

Also known as Bloom, this is a naturally occurring by-product of cigar aging. As the cigar exudes oils through the Wrapper, the oils crystalize on the outside and form a white powder-like substance. The Plume can be gently wiped off with no negative consequences.

Premium Cigar

Cigars which are made from only natural long leaf tobacco and are crafted by hand. This excludes short-filler cigars and cigars made with homogenized or re-constituted tobaccos

Press (Cigar)

The apparatus which exerts pressure on cigar Molds, to compress the tobacco into a cylindrical shape.

Puro

A cigar in which all the tobacco comes from the same country. Puro can also be a generic term used to describe any cigar.

Pyramid or Piramide

A cigar which is tapered to a point at the Head and blossoms toward the cylindrical Foot..

Ring Gauge

The diameter of the cigar is measured in 64ths of an inch in North America; millimeters are typically used in Cuba, Europe, and Asia.

Robusto

A contemporary American favorite, this size is approximately 5 x 50.

Rosado

A Spanish term meaning "reddish", it refers to cigar wrappers that have a brown-red tint.

San Andres Negro

The most famous Mexican cigar varietal grown in the San Andres Valley. San Andres Negro is traditionally a Stalk-Cut tobacco, which produces excellent Binder and Maduro Wrappers. Due to the toughness and resilience of the leaf, it holds up well during the extra fermentation required to produce Maduro Wrappers.

San Vicente

A varietal family which is now widely grown in the Dominican Republic. This cigar tobacco is commonly used for filler and binder. San Vicente varietals are a little lighter than Piloto and can have a mouth-watering effect and be a little acidic; they are not as dry as Olor varietals.

Seco

Filler tobacco leaves from the center of the Criollo plant. For other varietals, Seco can refer to the lower primings. Seco leaves are valued for their moderate flavor and good burning qualities; they are not as thick as Ligero or as light as Volado.

Second (Cigars)

Cigars that have not met the aesthetic or construction standards of the manufacturer and are sold unbanded and without boxes.

Shade-Grown

This refers to tobacco (typically Wrappers) grown under cheesecloth (Tapados) to minimize the harsh rays of the sun. Shade Grown tobaccos have a more uniform appearance, and a more subtle and delicate flavor; they are also a little thinner and more elastic than Sun-Grown leaves.

Shaggy Foot

When the wrapper leaf is left untrimmed on the foot of the cigar. This "Shaggy" wrapper can be removed or lit to start the cigar.

Short Filler

The chopped-up pieces of tobacco used as filler in non-premium cigars. Short Filler burns quicker and with far less complexity than Long Filler leaf.

Stalk-Curing

The process of air-curing tobacco leaves while they are still attached to the stalk. Stalk-Curing can be applied to Stalk-Cut or Stalk-Primed tobaccos. This process takes longer and is more expensive than traditional air-curing but it nourishes the leaves with nutrients from the stalk - creating an extraordinary end product.

Stalk-Cut

This term describes a plant which is harvested all at once by cutting the stalk, low to the ground. Unlike Primed plants, all of the leaves are harvested at one time. This technique is common with Broadleaf and San Andres Negro tobaccos, which are typically used for Maduro and Oscuro cigar Wrappers.

Stalk-Priming

As with priming, this process involves harvesting approximately a pair of leaves per week, but starts at the top and works down the plant. In addition, leaves are picked with a small piece of the stalk in tact, holding the leaves together. The picked stalk/leaves are draped over long sticks (cujes) and dried for 24 hours outdoors then moved into curing barns (casas de tabaco). These leaves take up much more room in the barns and take up to 90 days to dry out (2 to 3 times longer than primed leaves). While this was a more traditional harvesting method before and during the 20th Century, it is not commonly used today. Having the stalk connected to the leaves during priming is said to fortify and 'feed' the leaves during air-curing.

Stogie

A slang term for a cheroot, named after the cigar making region of Conestoga, Pennsylvania, where the inexpensive cigars were popular with wagon drivers during the 1800s. Originally, these cigars were called 'stogas' until Marsh Wheeling introduced the Marsh Wheeling Stogie in 1848, a cigar measuring 7" x 34(ring gauge). The Marsh Wheeling Stogie was half the price of competing cheroots and used a long filler.

Strength

The intensity of the nicotine in the cigar.

Sun-Curing

The process of exposing harvested leaves to direct sunlight: this takes between a few days to a few weeks. This process releases moisture and prepares the leaf for fermentation. Sun-Curing is most commonly used on Oriental tobaccos.

Sun-Grown

This term refers to tobacco grown in direct sunlight: this intense process creates thicker, more robust leaves, with more pronounced veins.

Tobacco Beetle

Technically known as Lasioderma Serricorne, and also referred to as Cigar and Cigarette Beetles, these pests begin as microscopic eggs found in food and tobacco. Under proper conditions, these eggs can develop into larva, pupa, and finally adult beetles. During their short lifetime, Tobacco Beetles can eat through your cigars and leave them ruined, strewn with holes like Swiss cheese.

Torpedo

This term traditionally refers to a cigar which is tapered at both the Head and Foot.

Tripa

Spanish/Cuban term for cigar filler tobaccos, literally meaning "guts".

Tripa Corta

Spanish term for short filler.

Tripa Larga

Spanish term for long filler.

Tripa Media

Spanish term for mixed filler; short and long.

Triple Cap

The term given to the [Parejo] cigar head finishing technique traditionally used in Cuba. The Triple-Cap uses a small tear-drop shaped piece of tobacco which is woven into the wrapper and used to close the open Head. After the head is closed, a perfect circle of tobacco (Cap) is cut with the Casquillo and placed on top to create a finished look. While this technique is meticulous and time consuming, it produces a strong, reinforced head. It is called the Triple-Cap because the cigar Head appears to have several seams.

Tubo

Spanish word for "tube". Tubos are used for packaging to help protect cigars.

Tunneling

The uneven, one-sided burn of a cigar. This is caused by substandard rolling, improperly placed filler, uneven humidity, or poorly fermented raw materials.

Vein

Part of a leaf's organic structure. Veins which are too large can hinder the viability and attractiveness of wrapper leaves.

Vintage

This term should refer to the year a tobacco leaf in a particular cigar is harvested. In most retail brands, the vintage (i.e. 1993) refers to a specific leaf/component like the wrapper, binder or filler(s) grown in a specific year. In the absence of provenance or appellation-like standards in the cigar industry, there can be some ambiguity when the term vintage is used. Some cigar makers can misuse the term simply to make their cigars seem older or more attractive.

Visor

A general term used to describe tobacco leaves from the middle part of cigar tobacco plants. Visitor leaves are under Ligero and above Seco leaves.

Vitola

This is a general term which refers to the specific size and shape characteristics of each cigar within a given brand.

Wrapper

The most delicate, expensive and [ideally] perfect leaf that is applied to the outside of a cigar. In addition, wrapper leaves contribute significantly to the flavor of the cigar since they are touching the mouth and tongue.