What Are Cigars, How They're Made & What's In Them
What are cigars?
The amazing thing about premium cigars is they’re the ultimate form of nature’s perfect simplicity. They are made of one thing and one thing only, and that’s tobacco. Pure, unadulterated tobacco. Unlike mass produced cigarillos or cigarettes, not a single leaf is chemically treated or artificially altered for taste. Everything from the cigar’s flavor to color is achieved through natural means.
When you really think about it, there are little to no products that many people consume on a day to day basis that are so natural.
How is a cigar made?
Blending and rolling handmade cigars are both incredible skill sets, and ones that take a lifetime to fully master. Blending is one part art and one part science, working as one with an ingredient that pretty much never stops evolving.
Wineries face a similar situation where a certain year’s crop may be better than others. But just like the wineries, cigar artisans will do everything in their power to ensure that their product is consistent.
There’s a famous quote within the cigar industry. It’s that 200 pairs of hands touch your cigar before it makes it to your humidor. Some people even say the number is higher. Take a look at a very simplistic view at the life of tobacco from seed to finished cigar.
It starts with seed selection and greenhouse cultivation.
Then, the plants are transplanted to the fields where they can flourish.
At full height and maturity, the leaves are harvested and hung in a curing barn.
The cured tobacco is then taken to a facility, unpacked and piled up for fermentation.
Once fermented, the leaves are all repacked and stowed for aging.
After aging, the tobacco is blended and rolled by expert torcedors.
The finished cigars are then sorted for color consistency and sent to the aging room.
Finally, the finished cigars are banded, boxed and sent out.
Now, remember, this is a very vague description of an incredibly intricate process. However, the point remains, it takes a ton of hands-on experience to make one premium cigar.
What’s in a cigar?
A cigar is made up of three major parts:
- Wrapper
- Binder
- Filler
The three form a smoking system and the single system forms a singular organism called the cigar.
The wrapper is the visible outer cover leaf.
It’s also the most expensive component per pound, as these tobacco leaves need to be pristine in appearance, as well as flavorful.
The binder can be considered a wrapper leaf that didn’t make the cut.
It’s often the same tobacco as the wrapper, only not as smooth in appearance, and it doesn’t have to be—you don’t see it.
The filler is where the cigar maker can be most creative.
Filler tobaccos are normally several different types of tobacco from various countries and several different primings.
What are your favorite cigars right now? Let us know in the comments!
Current Cigar World Promotions
Calling all Diesel Disciples: Take on Diesel’s Fool’s Errand challenge for your chance to win exclusive Diesel prizes.
—
To celebrate the new Worthy Fool cigar—the final installment in the Fool’s Errand line—Diesel Cigars is giving fans the chance to win exclusive prizes! Just solve five simple riddles, and you could bring home rewards.
Comments
2 Nina
(3 years ago)PADRON 3000 maduro great smoke for your dollar. Why settle for less?
2 Buster
(3 years ago)Leaf by Oscar
2 Icky
(3 years ago)Undercrown Shade
Romeo Y Julieta 1875
Kristoff Kristania
La Finca
Alec Bradley Lineage
Chupa Cabra Hellcat
Liga Privada #9
Sorry... I have many that I like and I enjoy different brands each day but. The above listed cigars are maintained in my humidors.
3 Roc
(3 years ago)I've recently tried the Avo Caribe and after having only 2 of them, It's become one of my top 5 favorites
3 Roc
(3 years ago)I've recently tried the Avo
1 ggponti
(3 years ago)Davidoff's fan boy here! Like they say, "Anything less is just setting fire to valuable time"; my palate and wallet disagree, but you can't deny they have an outstanding QC that shows (and you pay for it, of course - as it should be).
5 Mr. Mike
(3 years ago)I really enjoyed the Alec Bradley Prensado and CAO Brazilia.
5 GunSMK
(3 years ago)Bring on Mr. Punch! My man has the flavors!!
2 Rocky P.
(3 years ago)Southern Draw Firethorn and Rose of Sharon. M by Macanudo Espresso, Rocky Patel Quarter Century
28 Howbucks
(3 years ago)CAO, anything they make.
No one has commented on this page yet.