Cigar World’s Guide to Handmade vs. Machine-Made Cigars

Handmade vs. Machine-Made Cigars

When you walk into the world of cigars, you’ll hear a lot of technical terms being thrown around. Robustos, secos, puros — the list goes well beyond the “o’s” and is so extensive we had to make a small dictionary for the endless cigar terms. In fact, it’s one of the most confusing and intimidating parts of this hobby for beginners. But one of the most important things to know early on is the difference between handmade cigars and machine-made cigars.

Each has unique qualities, but in this blog, we will delve into key aspects of both and help you choose the right cigar for you. 

Construction

Handmade Cigars

As you may guess from the name, handmade cigars are, well . . . handmade. It all starts with tobacco leaves that are aged, but are still a complete leaf like you would see on a tree.

A craftsman (called a tercador) is trained in the art of taking these full tobacco leaves (sometimes referred to as long filler), bunching them together and using another full tobacco leaf (called a binder) to bind them together. Next, they wrap the entire blend in a final full tobacco leaf called a wrapper. From there, a piece of one of the full leaves is added as a cap, and the cigar can rest until it is ready to be smoked. If you want more detail on the entire process, read our blog on How Cigars are Made. 

The entire process is guided by the training and instinct of the tercador, who will hand-select the best leaves of a certain type to use, a talent typically passed down through generations. Taking the time and care to go through this process ensures a well-balanced construction and an even draw and burn, making handmade cigars the preferred choice of connoisseurs and those looking for a relaxed and nuanced smoking experience.

Machine-Made Cigars

Machine-made cigars are produced using an automated process. Often, that process begins with short-filler tobaccos. As opposed to the whole leaves we talked about in handmade cigars, short-filler tobaccos are typically chopped or shredded tobacco leaves, stems and other craps of tobacco. 

The result is a homogenized flavor profile that can be replicated time and again. This shredded tobacco blend is then bound and wrapped by a machine. While these cigars lack the artisanal touch of a handmade cigar, making them with a machine ensures a remarkable consistency in size, shape, color and flavor that makes them an accessible choice for many smokers.

Burn Time and Quality

How a cigar is made greatly impacts the overall smoking experience. Handmade cigars often burn slowly and evenly, allowing hobbyists to savor distinct, intricate flavor notes in the tobaccos. Conversely, machine-made cigars typically burn faster due to the short fillers used in construction. This makes a machine-made cigar a convenient choice for those seeking a quicker smoking experience.

Cost

Even before picking up a handmade or machine-made cigar, you’ll notice the difference when comparing the price tag. Due to the skill and materials required to craft a handmade cigar, they are almost always more expensive. They are ideal for special occasions or for enthusiasts who appreciate the intricacy and artistry that goes into their cigars. Machine-made cigars are often very budget-friendly, making them a practical choice for casual smokers or those who value smoking time over a more encapsulating smoking experience. 

A single handmade cigar might range from $5 to $50 per cigar, with some ultra-premium offerings going for thousands of dollars. Machine-made cigars are typically much cheaper, with budget-friendly pricing ranging from less than $1 up to $5.

Machine-Made, Hand-Rolled Cigars

In more recent years, some manufacturers have opted to use a marriage of the two processes. They will use a machine to bunch and bind the filler blend, and then a tercador to apply the wrapper and cap. While it does take away quite a bit of the artistry behind crafting a cigar, it is an efficient way to ensure consistency in the bunch, while still using a tercador to apply and perfect the cigar’s wrapper and cap. Currently, this process in not very common, but it could be another term you hear tossed around at a cigar shop.

How To Choose

At Cigar World, we are heavily biased toward premium, handmade cigars, but machine-made cigars also have their merits. Handmade cigars offer unparalleled craftsmanship and generational artistry that simply cannot be replicated, but the human aspect of the process does open them up to inconsistencies. On the other hand, machine-made cigars offer a high degree of consistency and value, all in a shorter smoking time. By understanding their differences, you can choose the perfect cigar for you. In fact, now’s a great time to Find Your Perfect Cigar. 

Let us know what you think! Is there a time and place for machine-made cigars, or should anyone getting into the hobby stick to handmade cigars?