A
B
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A
A (cigar size): The largest regular production cigar size usually measures 9 1/4 inches long with around a 47-ring gauge and is known as an ‘’A’’ size. They are mostly made for events or are limited editions, such as Liga Privada Unico "A".
Accordian Method: A tobacco bunching method where the filler leaf is folded from the outside in. The method received its name from the shape created when folding, which looks like an accordion. Every folded leaf is then placed on the other until the bunching is complete. This is preferred by many rollers as it creates a better, more open draw and is more time-efficient, resulting in more cigars rolled per day.
Active Humidification System: A mechanical system used to maintain humidity in a humidor. It does this by recirculating dray air and blowing out moist, humid air to maintain humidity. This is a larger system, usually reserved for larger cabinet style humidors.
Aging: A process by which rolled cigars or tobacco are left in a temperature-controlled room for an extended period of time. Aging allows for the flavors of the cigar to soften, creating a smoother and more complex cigar. There is no set time for aging, with many companies ranging from six months to five years.
Aging Room: A room in which rolled cigars or tobacco are left to age. The aging room has to be both temperature and humidity controlled in order to effectively alter the tobacco. The aging rooms are an important aspect in the cigar process, with companies such as Padron having massive aging facilities to stock up on tobacco. Aged tobacco often has a different and unique taste, which, according to many tobacco fans, tastes better than usual.
Amarillo: A term used to describe cigar tobacco grown under a shade that has a yellow hue. This is distinguished from Ligero, which is light in color, viso which is glossy, and seco, which is dry.
Amatista Jar: An Amatista Jar is a packaging method by which 25-50 cigars are lined with Spanish cedar and packaged in glass jars. This started in the early 20th century in Cuba and became popular during the 1950s. It is no longer common practice with a few limited-edition exceptions.
American Market Selection: American Market Selection (AMS) is a term created in the 1950s in Cuba to signify cigars with a green or candela wrapper. This was a popular wrapper among the time in the US. Similar to English Market Selection, which was used to describe cigars with the right color to sell in the United Kingdom and Europe. This is not a common term today but was once one of the most common signifiers in the cigar industry.
Ammonia: Ammonia is a natural gas combination of Nitrogen and Hydrogen that is found in the tobacco plant, acting as a precursor to food and fertilizer. Without the proper fermentation and aging, the ammonia taste and aroma will still be present int he cigar, giving it a harsh, chemical taste and smell.
Anilla: Anilla is a less common, Cuban term, that refers to the shape of a cigar. The Spain variation of the word is Vitola, which is much more recognizable in the modern cigar lexicon.
Arapiraca: Arapiraca is a dark and oily tobacco leaf grown that is almost exclusively in the North-West region of Brazil. While some varieties have also been grown in Ecuador, Brazil has been made famous for the use of Arapiraca.
Aroma: Aroma, also known as 'bouquet ‘, is the smell given off by a burning cigar. Along with flavor, the aroma is one of the more enticing factors to determine the quality of a cigar. In fact, according to research, 80% of our taste comes from our smell. So, as you can imagine, the aroma has a big part to play in how much you enjoy your cigar.
Ash: Ash is the end result of burning cigar tobacco. The ash is the white, or grey substance that occurs during the combustion of the tobacco leaf. Different color and physical characteristics of ash can determine the quality of a cigar. White, non-flaky cigar ash shows the tobacco was grown correctly and humidified.
B
Bale: A bale is a unit of storage used for fermented tobacco. Bales have different appearances and weight, which is often company dependant. After the fermentation process, the tobacco is then layered in giant cubes before being pushed together by a hydraulic press. It is then stitched up in burlap and put aside to rest and age. Tobacco can stay in a bale for any amount of time, from a few years to several decades.
Band: A piece of paper or other material wrapped near the head of the cigar. The band usually has most of the information about the cigar, such as, the logo or name of the company that manufactured it. A lot of the bands will have graphics and lithography, which is sometimes what people who are searching for collectables want. While most bands are just near the head, several cigars have foot bands or bands that run for most of the length of the cigar. As well as this, many cigars also have a secondary band, which is located beneath the main band.
Banda: Banda is an alternative name for a binder, which is the main leaf used in construction. The banda is wrapped around the filler tobaccos to hold them in place. It is then covered by the wrapper.
Barber-pole: A cigar wrapper that is split between two different leaf varieties. By cutting and rolling two different colored wrappers, it has the visual effect of a barber-pole.
Barrel: A wooden storage unit used to ship cigars during the late 19th and early 20th Century. Today, barrels are often sold to add flavor to your cigar. Some methods involve pouring shots of whiskey or rum into the barrel and letting it soak into the wood. Then, you store your cigars into the barrel and allow them to soak up to flavor for 2 to 3 days before smoking or moving back to a humidor.
Beetle: Beetles are small insects that are attracted to tobacco. They can leave beetle droppings on your cigar and lay their eggs on the leaves, which can hatch if exposed to higher humidity. Tobacco beetles can burrow through the cigar, creating holes that can ruin the construction of the cigar. A beetle could enter your home through gaps under doorways or through windows.
Belicoso: A cigar with a traditionally short, tapered head. Unlike torpedo or pyramid, the belicoso tends to have a more rounded taper and is shorter in length.
Bethune : A combination of various herbs, spices, and certain alcoholic drinks used in the curing process for some forms of cigar tobacco.
Binder: Also known as the Banda, the binder is the secondary tobacco leaf that is wrapped around the filler tobaccos and underneath the wrapper. Whereas the wrapper is responsible for a majority of the flavor, the binder is responsible for the construction and holds the filler in place. It does also add some flavor notes to the overall profile.
Bleeding: Bleeding is the act of emptying out a butane lighter. By using a small screwdriver or another tool, you press down on the bottom fuel nozzle on the butane lighter. This lets all of the air out of the fuel tank and allows for a better flow of the gas.
Blend: A blend is the actual combination of tobaccos that make up a cigar. This includes the filler, binder, and wrapper. In laymen's terms, the blend is the recipe. It represents which various strains of tobacco were used to make up the cigar.
Blending Room: An area in a factory where blenders discuss and test various blends to create a cigar.
Blind Taste: The act of testing and reviewing a cigar without knowing who makes it or what is in it. This can reduce biased either for or against certain companies or tobacco varieties, making the review simply based on performance. If there is a 'blind tasting panel' none of the participants know how much the cigar costs, which company it is from or any other details.
Bloom: Also known as plume, this is a white powder or crystal-like substance that can form on a cigar which has been perfectly humidified in an enclosed space. The bloom on cigars is the chemicals such as ammonia, that are being aged out of the tobacco, giving you a smoother cleaner smoke. It is often confused with mold. Mold is often blue or green and is embedded in the cigar wrapper. If you can dust it off gently, it is bloom.
Blue Mold: Blue mold, sometimes known as 'Peronospora Tabacina' is a blue-colored mold that can form on a cigar if it is wet or humidified at too high of a percentage. Unlike cigar bloom, mold is three dimensional and fuzzy. It is usually embedded into the wrapper. A cigar with mold cannot be smoked. If a cigar with mold is in your humidor, you need to examine all of the cigars and thoroughly clean the humidor.
Bofetón: A sheet that is glued to the inside of the top of a cigar box. It is used both to protect the cigars and to showcase the company's logo and artwork.
Boite Nature: Boite Nature is a cigar box that is made from cedar or wood. It contains two rear hinges, a front clasp, four collars at the edges of the box and corners that are interlocked.
Bonao: Bonao is a tobacco-growing region in the Dominican Republic. Initially, it was used for growing candela or green wrapper. Today, it is best known for growing the Dominican wrapper leaf used on the Arturo Fuente Opus X.
Bonche: Boite A Bonche, also known as the bunch, is the grouping of filler tobaccos and a binder leaf into a cylindrical shape. After they are rolled together, they are placed into a wooden mold to hold shape. They are then wrapped with an outer leaf to finish the cigar.
Boncheros: Boncheros are trained workers in a cigar factory, who roll tobacco into binder leaves and are responsible for making the bunch.
Booking: A rolling method that is mainly used in Honduras. It is when the filler leaves are layered on top of each other, and then rolled up like a scroll. This is a different method then the Cuban ‘Entubado’ method.
Bouquet: The bouquet, also known as the aroma, is the smell of a lit and burning cigar. Often when smoking, it can be tough to appreciate the aroma of your cigar. One method of being able to smell your cigar is by cupping your hand and directing some of the smoke towards your nose. Many people often admire the bouquet of unlit cigars.
Box: A box is the primary packaging of a cigar. Usually made with Spanish cedar, cigar boxes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Boxes of cigars can be sold in various pack sizes, from a box of 50 cigars to a box of 100 cigars. The phrase ‘cabinet selection’ refers to wooden boxes with sliding tops, often wrapped with a ribbon. This type of cigar box is known as a ‘slide-lid box’.
Box Aging: The process of aging the cigars after they are rolled and placed in the box. By aging the cigars together in the original box, they will form similar characteristics over time. Cigars are similar to fine wine and can improve with age for years.
Box Code: Codes found on the bottom of Cuban cigar boxes. These are made to identify and authenticate Cuban cigars. The code will not only tell you the age of a smoke, but the vintage, which could be really important.
Box Pressed: A cigar shape in which the cigar is pressed into a squarer box shape. The original box press was accidental, as fresh, wet cigars weere packaged tightly into boxes. When they arrived at their destination, they had morphed into more of a soft box shape than traditional Parejo, or rounded shape. It is now a common practice as it is a preferred shape amongst many cigar smokers.
Brooch: The metal clasp that closes the lid of a traditional cigar box.
Brother of the Leaf: Also known as BOTL, this is a common term among the modern-day cigar smoker to signify they are a member of the cigar community. SOTL, or sisters of the leaf, is also a common designation.
Buckeye: Buckeye is the term used in the past, before the Cuban Revolution, to describe small cigar factories that were once popular across the United States. The name is derived from the state of Ohio, that saw a high number of these small factories during their peak.
Bulk: ‘Bulk’ refers to large piles of tobacco that are put together during the fermentation and/or curing process. Bulk tobacco can often weigh from 3,500 – 4,000 pounds! Once the tobacco has been through the curing process, it is made into bulk. The leaves are sat on top of each other with cardboard beneath. From the tobacco weight and leaf moisture, heat is created, which begins the fermentation process.
Bull's Eye Piercer: Similar to a punch cut, the bull’s eye piercer uses a circular blade to create a hole in the back of the cigar. In this case, the shape is of a bull’s eye.
Bullet Cutter: A bullet cutter is a small and circular bladed cutter that is used to punch a small hole in the cap of a cigar. The reason behind punching this hole is to ensure the cap of the cigar remains intact and offers a smaller, more direct draw.
Bunch: The combination of the filler tobaccos surrounded by the binder. After being shaped, the bunch is then rolled with a wrapper leaf to complete the cigar.
Buncher: A cigar factory worker who specializes in making the bunch of a cigar. They are responsible for combining the various filler tobaccos and holding them together with the binder leaf. Stereotypically, bunching is usually completed by males, and rolling is completed by females.
Bunching Machine: A hand-powered machine that is used in some factories to assemble the bunch, filler, and binder tobaccos. The machine is made from a metal handle, leather pad and guides that help create a bunch. While common in the Dominican Republic, they are rarely found in other major cigar manufacturing countries.
Bundle: A form of packaging for cigars in which they are wrapped together in a cellophane overwrap. While this method was common for all cigars in the past, it is now primarily found in budget cigars, as the use of plastic instead of a box makes it more affordable. Bundles are most commonly found in groups of 20-25 cigars.
Burro: Burro’ is another term for bulk or ‘pilones’. The process refers to when tobacco is layered on top of itself in large piles to create heat during the fermentation process. These piles can be up to 4,000 pounds. The fermentation process occurs because of the pressure created by the weight and creates heat, which starts to break down some of the chemical elements.
Butane: Butane is a form of lighter fuel that is common in cigar lighters. It is colorless and has no odor, so will not leave a gas taste on your cigar. Butane is commonly used in torch style lighters that burn with a distinct blue flame and are mostly wind resistant. It is highly recommended to use high-quality butane to refill any lighters to avoid clogging the inside of the lighter.
C
Cabinet Selection: Cabinet selection is a way of packaging cigars into wooden boxes with a sliding top, it is also known as ‘a slide-lid box’. Often made from Spanish cedar wood, this packaging allows an increased amount of air for better aging. Usually packaged in 25 or 50 counts, this box is wrapped with ribbon. According to many cigar aficionados, this is their preferred method of packaging.
Calfrisa: Calfrisa is a tobacco curing barn developed in Cuba and used on a limited basis in the Dominican Republic. The barn uses a system of ductwork which creates a stable humidity. The Calfrisa system is costly, so for this reason, it is not very widespread.
Cameroon: A country in West Africa known for producing a flavorful and notoriously toothy wrapper. Recently, it has become harder to obtain a Cameroon wrapper due to civil strife. The Cameroon leaf has been endangered in the past, but due to the Meerapfel family, it has been revitalized.
Candela: A ‘Candela’ is a green cigar wrapper, also known as Double Claro and American Market Selection. For several years, this was the most popular wrapper variety in the US. The intriguing green color comes from a heating process that locks the chlorophyll into the leaf, and it is incredibly light and fragile. Although it is no longer as prominent in the modern market, it is still used in barber poles for its unique green color. One important thing to note is that sunlight will make a Candela leaf lighter and heat will darken the color. When storing a Candela wrapper, it mustn’t be stored in a standard tobacco warehouse as it must be kept refrigerated.
Canoeing: Canoeing is when a cigar burns improperly. This is because one side of the cigar burns at a faster rate than the rest of the cigar.
Cañonazo: A thicker cigar size made famous in Cuba. A canonazo has occasionally been called a ‘cannot shot’. It usually measures around 5 7/8 by 52. Today, this is closer to what we know as a toro size.
Cantero: The section of a tobacco farm where the seedlings are grown. While today most seedlings are grown in trays in a greenhouse, some farms still do the traditional method of growing them right in the ground. When seedlings are in a greenhouse, they are protected from the elements which can often improve the growth. Often, if there are extra seedlings, they are used in case parts of the farm must be replanted due to unforeseen circumstances.
Cap: A small additional piece of wrapper tobacco that is placed at the top of the cigar to secure the wrapper in place. The traditional Cuban style cap, or triple cap, has three distinct seams. A rounded cap is the most common, while a pigtail can be added for a unique look.
Capa: The Capa is simply another name for the cigar's wrapper or outer leaf.
Capote: Capote is another name for binder, which is a portion of tobacco leaf that holds together the blend of filler leaves. These leaves are often known as the bunch or the banda. Quite often, binders are grown with the intent of being wrappers, but due to leaf defects, they were graded as binders.
Carbon: Carbon is the Spanish word for charcoal. The name is often given to pits dug into curing barns where small piles of charcoal are burned during cool days to raise the temperatures. If the barn is more sophisticated, it will have propane gas powered burners. On the other hand, it has been done with iron pot that are filled with charcoal.
Carotene: Carotene is a naturally occurring compound found in finely aged cigars.
Casa de Tabaco: Casa de Tabaco is the traditional name for a curing barn or curing shed and they are usually found very close to tobacco fields. When the tobacco is initially picked, it is brought to the curing barn and hung up to dry. The curing barn is where the tobacco turns from its original green color, to a yellow and brown color, which is due to the moisture leaving. The curing process takes around 45 days before the tobacco is brought to fermentation.
Case: The case is a pouch used to carry cigars. Usually, they have a leather material and hold up to three cigars, but there are some larger ones that have pouches for cigar cutters and lighters. Another meaning for the word is during the cigar production process, workers will ‘case’ or moisten aged tobacco, that will become ready for manipulation. Finally, casing can also refer to when flavors are added to a plethora of pipe tobacco.
Cat's Eye Cutter: The cat’s eye cutter is another name for a v-cut or wedge cut. Instead of cutting in a straight line, the blade cuts a wedge out of the cap, so it then resembles a cat’s eye or pupil. In the past, cat’s eye cutters were most popular in the early 1900s.
Cedar: Cedar is the name given to the type of wood that is usually used in the cigar industry. It is primarily known as Spanish cedar wood, and is used in cigar boxes, humidors, and sleeve labels. Alongside the impressive appearance it provides, it adds a nice subtle flavor to the cigars while absorbing moisture to keep the humidity level.
Cedar Spill: A strip of cedar that was traditionally used to light a cigar. By lighting the cedar on fire and using that to light the cigar, it creates a wonderful aroma. Using a cedar spill is seen as very formal practice in lighting a cigar and is not as popular as it once was. Cedar spills will burn quite slowly, and can create long or messy ashes, so it is important to stay safe and take care when using this method!
Cellophane: Cellophane is a clear and protective material that is wrapped around most cigars during the packaging process. Cellophane is a natural substance that makes up the cell walls of a plant. Having cellophane present in packaging helps provide an extra layer of protection and slows down how fast a cigar will dry out.Once you have bought a box of cigars and placed it in your humidor, it is dependent on the situation to whether you leave the cellophane on or not. Mainly, cellophane is protecting the cigar from damage, so leaving it on can be beneficial in some cases.
Chaveta: The chaveta is a curved blade used by a cigar roller to cut the wrapper tobacco to a specific size. A cigar roller can often use the chaveta to shape the head of the cigar.
Cheesecloth: Cheesecloth is the traditional type of material that is used to cover shade-grown tobacco. Usually, it is made of nylon or a synthetic kind of material.
Cheroot: Cheroot is an alternative name for a ‘rustic looking’ cigar. Usually, it will have an open head and foot.
Chinchalle: A slang term for small cigar factories, usually tucked away in big cities. In the past, they were popular in east coast cities with large Cuban populations.
Chop: Chop is a slang term for short-filler tobacco.
Churchill: The Churchill is a large cigar size that usually measures seven inches and has a 47-ring gauge. The size of this cigar is named after Winston Churchill, who is known and famous for always having a cigar. This size of cigar originated with the Cuban Romeo y Julieta Churchill.
Cibao Valley: Cibao Valley is a region in the Dominican Republic where the majority of premium Dominican tobacco is grown.
Cigar Association of America: Also known as the C.R.A, the Cigar Association of America is the national trade organization for the cigar industry. Not only does it represent manufacturers, but it also represents retailers and importers. The headquarters can be located in Washington, D.C.
Cigar Bar: A lounge or bar where drinking and smoking are allowed. Due to regulations, it has become a little more difficult to find an authentic cigar bar.
Cigar Boom: The Cigar Boom refers to the period of the 1990s that saw a massive increase in premium cigar sales. Arguably, this was mostly due to publication of the Cigar Aficionado Magazine, which cast cigars in a premium and exclusive light. This event was a huge turning point in the history of the cigar industry and has changed the cigar business forever.
Cigar Box Tool: An all-in-one tool use for opening a cigar box. IT has a blade to break the seal, a slit to pry out the nail and a small hammer head to put the nail back in place.
Cigar Lounge: A cigar lounge is sometimes called a cigar bar, which is where drinking and cigar smoking are allowed. Many cigar lounges will offer private membership, along with personal humidors and lockers. Cigar stores, such as JR Cigars, are opening cigar bars and lounges so their customers can chill out and have a smoke.
Cigar Rights of America: The Cigar Rights of America, with a headquarters in Virginia, are a group dedicated to protecting the rights of the cigar industry.
Cigarillo: A Cigarillo is a thin and short cigar. Usually, they are machine-made and come in tins. Cigarillo’s are some cigar aficionados smoke of choice and they use a homogenized wrapper. Although they are much more popular in Europe, they do have a following in the US.
Cigarmaker: The owner of a cigar factory and the person responsible for making new cigars.
Claro: A light cigar wrapper, often of a light-brown or pale green color. They are mainly shade-grown.
Clear Havana: Clear Havana cigars were made in the us prior to the Cuban embargo of the 1960s.
Coffin: A coffin is a small wooden box with a sliding lid, used to store only one cigar. This type of storage method is reserved for special editions such as an Opus X or Dunbarton Muestra de Saka.
Cold Taste: ‘Cold Taste’ is when you cut the head of the cigar and draw from it before lighting. This will give you an idea of how well the cigar will draw and an initial impression on the flavors. It is also known as ‘Cold Draw’.
Collars: Collars are the four pieces of cedar that protrude from the edges of certain wooden cigar boxes. Usually, they are found on boite nature boxes and are fully covered when the lid is closed.
Color Sorting: Color sorting is a process by which specially trained workers that are operating at brightly lit areas in the factory will sort the rolled cigars by color. There may be up to 20 different color variations and it is important to box certain colors together as to show consistency. Only specially trained workers with a keen eye for color can undertake this process.
Colorado: Colorado refers to a color designation. Usually, it is a medium-brown or reddish-brown wrapper tobacco.
Complexity: Complexity is a flavor characteristic of premium cigars. If a cigar has a variety of flavor changes, it is more desirable and likely to be popular amongst the cigar community.
Condega: Condega is one of three main tobacco growing areas of Nicaragua, known for its flavorful and medium-bodied tobacco. The land that the tobacco is grown around is known for its beautiful scenery including orchids and small cacti.
Connecticut Broadleaf: A type of tobacco grown under sun light in the Connecticut River Valley. Connecticut broadleaf grows as a wide plant, hence the name and after curing, they take a nice dark color. This tobacco is amongst the most sought-after wrappers for making a maduro cigar.
Connecticut Habano: Connecticut Habano is a rare variety of sun grown tobacco found in the Connecticut River Valley. Unlike the broadleaf, which is known to be rich and sweet, the Habano is known for its hearty and zesty flavors.
Connecticut River Valley: A growing region in the state of Connecticut known for its cigar tobacco. It is argued that this region originated the shade grown process. It is particularly known for its high-quality wrapper tobaccos such as Connecticut Shade, Broadleaf and Habano. The soil surrounding the valley is full of clay and sand, which is the result of glaciers that scraped the north-eastern part of America.
Connecticut Shade: Connecticut shade is the term for a Connecticut seed tobacco (which is a relative of the Sumatra leaf) grown under cover. It is known to be a thin and oily leaf, with mellow flavors. This is the most popular wrapper for a mellow cigar and is known for its mild taste profile.
Corojo: The Corojo is a famed variation of Cuban seed tobacco. While it originated in Cuba in the 1930s, they found it too hard to maintain. It is no longer used in Cuba, but is popular throughout Central and South America.
Corona: Corona is a popular size for premium cigars amongst cigar connoisseurs. Usually, it will measure around 5 5/8 inches, with a 42-ring gauge. It is a particularly popular size in Cuban cigars, however, New World manufacturers have started to use the size more often too.
Costero: The sides of a cigar box that normally bear the name of the cigar brand name and its manufacturer. Sometimes, there will be other decorative elements.
Cover Leaf: A cover leaf is another term for the wrapper or outer leaf on premium cigars.
Cuban Sandwich: A hand-rolled cigar that uses a mixture of long-filler and short-filler tobaccos. Sometimes, these cigars are known as mixed-filler cigars.
Cuban Seed: Cuban seed refers to tobacco seeds that originated in Cuba but are grown in another country. Often, Cuban-seed tobacco is full of flavor.
Cubatabaco: Cubatabaco is the state owned company that owns all production of Cuban cigars. In the past, it was also in charge of distribution, however, that is now done by Habanos S.A.
Cubierta: The cubierta is the outer lid or top surface of a cigar box.
Cuje: The cuje is a wooden pole or stick used to hang tobacco in a curing barn. Also known as ‘lathe’, there are two varieties in different sizes. The first kind of cuje is known as cuje cortos and measures around six feet long, the cuje largos is double the size at 12 feet long. Often, there are versions that use wooden strings known as ‘sartas’.
Culebra: Culebra is Spanish for snake. This is a special cigar shape where three panetelas are braided or twisted together, they are usually five to six inches in length. The cigars can be smoked together or unbraided and smoked individually.
Curing: Curing is a major step in cigar production. Curing refers to when the freshly picked tobacco is hung in a barn to dry out. Often, the temperature of the barn needs to be adjusted by opening and closing vents. Another way the temperature is adjusted is by propane gas powered burners or small charcoal fires. Over a 45 day period, moisture is slowly released from the tobacco until it develops a browner color. This is done in preparation for fermentation.
Curing Barns: The curing barns (also known as curing sheds or casas de tabaco) is the location where freshly picked tobacco is taken. Usually, they are located close to the tobacco fields. This is because as soon as the tobacco is picked, it is brought to the curing barn and hung up to dry. The curing barn is where the tobacco turns from its original green color to a yellow and final brown color, as the moisture leaves. The curing process usually takes around 45 days before the tobacco is brought to fermentation.
Cutter: A cigar cutter is a device which is used for preparing handmade cigars for smoking. It is used to cut or poke the head of the cigar so you can draw smoke from it. They come in a variety of styles, such as single blade, guillotine, V-Cut or punch.
D
Desflorado: Desflorado is when a tobacco plant has its seeds and flowers removed, it is also known as being ‘topped’. This redirects all the nutrients and sunlight to the leaves, which creates a stronger tobacco. It has been argued that ‘topped’ tobacco is stronger than other tobacco that has not been through this process.
Despalillo: Despalillo is the Spanish term for ‘destemming’ or ‘stemming’. The process involves the stem of the tobacco leaf being removed. For wrapper and binder tobacco, the entire stem is removed, while for the filler, only around two-thirds of removed.
Destemming: As the stem of a tobacco leaf is thick, it must be partially or totally removed before the leaves are rolled into cigars. So, ‘destemming’ also known as ‘despalillo’ or ‘stemming’ refers to the process by which the stem of the tobacco leaf is removed. For wrapper and binder tobacco, the entire stem is removed, while for filler, only around two-thirds are removed.
Diadema: A diadema is a large figurado shaped cigar that is around eight inches or more in length. It has a closed and tapered head, as well as a tapered foot. The most common diadema is known at the ‘Salmone’, which is usually quite expensive.
Dipping: Dipping is a method of smoking in which an unlit cigar is first dipped into a spirit, such as brandy or whiskey. This is done in an attempt to obtain extra flavors. In the cigar community, this is highly frowned upon and not recommended.
Doghouse: Doghouse is a slang term for a vent at the top of a curing barn. The vent is left open to allow extra airflow.
Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic is the country that is responsible for more hand-rolled cigars than any other. They are also one of the most prolific farmers of cigar tobacco. Some of the largest manufacturers have their factories located in the Dominican Republic; such as AUSA, General Cigars, Arturo Fuente, and La Flor Dominicana.
Double Claro: Double Claro is a green cigar wrapper, also known as Candela and American Market Selection. In the past, this was one of the most popular wrappers in the US for several years. The green color comes from a heating process that locks chlorophyll into the leaf. The wrapper is incredibly light and fragile, so it is important to be careful. Although it is not as prominent in the modern market, it is still used in barber poles for its unique green color.
Double Corona: A Double Corona is one of the largest and most common cigar sizes. Usually, it will measure around seven and a half to eight inches long, with a ring gauge between 47 and 52. This size is more common among older brands and some Cuban brands.
Draw: The amount of air or smoke you are able to pull through a lit cigar. A cigar with a ‘tight’ draw will have a minimal amount of airflow, while a cigar with too open of a draw pulls too much air.
Draw Test Machine: A Draw Test Machine is used in a cigar factory to test the draw. Usually, it used on an unfinished cigar, and it works by testing how much air is being pulled through the cigar. Although rare around the 1990s, the majority of cigar factories will have a Draw Test Machine to decrease the number of faulty draws.
Dry Draw: A Dry Draw, also known as a ‘cold draw’ is when you cut the head of the cigar and draw from it before lighting. This will give you an idea of how well the cigar will draw and an initial impression on the flavors.
E
Ecuador: Ecuador is a South American country known for its abundance of quality wrapper tobacco. Ecuador has unique weather conditions, which make it perfect for growing wrapper. The weather can include constant cloud cover, which gives the same effect as shade grown, but without the need for cheesecloth or cover. Several prized seeds have been grown in Ecuador such as Connecticut, Sumatra and more recently, the Habano seed.
Empilónando: Empilónando is the process by which a pilon (also known as a bulk or troje) of tobacco is made. This is an important step to assure accurate fermentation.
Encallado: Encallado is a unique form of tobacco growing in which the tobacco is covered (shaded) only on the sides. This provides the tobacco with protection from the wind and the sun as it raises and lowers during the day. This growth process creates a unique tobacco that falls uniquely between sun grown and shade grown.
English Market Selection: English Market Selection, abbreviated ‘EMS’ is a term that is meant to refer to a medium wrapper color. EMS was initially meant to designate Cuban cigars that were not too light or dark and were ready for sale in the English Market. The term is said to be crafted by Hunters & Frankau, one of the oldest Cuban cigar distributors in the world.
Ensarte: Ensarte is the process by which the freshly picked tobacco leaves are taken from the fields and hung in the curing barns. The strings that hold the leaves are called sartas, which can be hung on their own or attached to poles called cujes.
Entubar: Entubar, which is also known as Entubado, is the process by which a cigar roller rolls each filler leave individually into an oval or tube shape. By rolling each filler leaf into this shape, it will allow greater air flow or draw.
Escaparates: Escaparates is a cabinet that freshly rolled cigars are kept in after rolling. Usually, they are on the cooler side, and are able to maintain a certain temperature and humidity.
Escogida: Escogida, which is Spanish for chosen, is another name for color sorting. This process involves a specially trained cigar factory worker sorting the rolled cigars by color. There can be up to 20 different color variations and it is important to box cigars together by color so to show consistency. Only specially trained workers with a keen eye for color can undertake this process.
F
Face: The face is the side of the cigar that showcases the band. The color sorter will select the side of the cigar that has the better color and visual characteristics, they then place this side face up with the band.
Federal Excise Tax: Federal Excise tax refers to the import tax paid to the US government for every cigar that is imported into the country. In the past, the cost was five cents per cigar, but when a new law passed in 2009, it increased to around 40 cents. Not all companies increased prices, but the majority did.
Fermentation: Fermentation is arguably the most important process that tobacco has to go through during cigar preparation. The tobacco is layered in big piles that are known as pilónes. Often, pilónes can be several hundred pounds. The heat and pressure created by pilónes is what causes the fermentation process. Once it hits a certain temperature, the tobacco is broken down and rebuilt, in order to ensure consistent fermentation to all the leaves. Fermentation causes a chemical in the tobacco to make it smokable by releasing all the natural ammonia and other chemical compounds found in the tobacco. If you smoke unfermented tobacco, it will have a chemical taste and will most likely make you ill.
Figurado: Figuardo is any cigar shape that is not straight. If the cigar has any tapers or curves, it is referred to as a figurado. This includes torpedo, pyramid, perfecto and others.
Filete: Filete is the trim that runs along the side of a dress cigar box. Usually, it is decorated in a specific way.
Filler: Filler is the tobacco leaves used to create the body of the cigar. They are held together by the binder, or a bunch. A premium cigar can generally use anywhere from two to five different varieties of filler tobacco leaves. Premium hand-rolled cigars generally use long filler, which is when the entire filler leaf is used. Short filler cigars, which is constructed of chopped up tobacco leaves that are left over, are usually used on machine-made cigars.
Finca: Finca is farm in Spanish.
Finish: Finish is a tasting term that refers to the lingering taste on your palate after taking a puff of a cigar. If you smoke a mild cigar, it will not have much finish. In contrast, strong and full-bodied cigars will provide a more substantial finish.
Firemen: The term firemen refers to the workers in the curing barn who are responsible for monitoring the temperatures. Usually, gas or charcoal burners are used to maintain the temperature, which is where the name actually originated from. In the past, barns have been known to burn down due to firemen not doing their job properly.
Firm: Firm is a term used to describe a cigar with a tighter draw. A tight draw means there is a restriction of air flow, which limits the amount of smoke with each puff. Sometimes, massaging the cigar (gently) can help improve the draw. If your cigar is extremely firm, it is considered faulty.
Flag Tip: A flag tip is an extension of the wrapper that is used to finish the head of the cigar. This is used instead of the traditional cap. Sometimes, flags are turned into a pigtail or a curly head!
Foil: Foil is used as decoration and protection for certain cigars. Often, higher end cigars will have cigars individually wrapped in gold or silver foil.
Foot: The foot of a cigar is the bottom end which you light. While its often left open, sometimes cigars have what is known as a closed foot.
Frog's Legs: Frog’s legs is a slang term for a filler leaf that has had most of its stem removed. By leaving a small portion of the stem near the tip, the leaf resembles a frog when looked at from above.
Frontmark: Frontmark is the specific name and size of a cigar that appears on the front of the cigar box. For example, Montecristo White is the brand name, while Montecristo White Toro is the frontmark.
G
Glass Jar: A thick glass jar used to house cigars, which is also known as an Amatista jar. As a practice, it began in the early 1900s and remained popular throughout the 1960s. Although this method is hardly seen today, it was commonly used in the past.
Glass Top Cohibas: A glass top Cohiba, also known as a ‘Lucite top’ are fake Cohiba cigars that are packaged in a box with a glass top. If you see a Cohiba in a glass top box, it is fake.
Glass Tubes: Glass tubes are packaging for individual cigars that are also known as Crystales. The case is designed to protect cigars from drying out or from any damage they may face.
Gomma: A gomma is an adhesive made from vegetables used to secure the small bit of wrapper at the head of a cigar and it is odorless with no taste. Often, it is known as gum.
Gorda: Gorda is the Spanish word for ‘’fat’’, and when discussing cigars refers to a cigar with a corona size. A corona size cigar will have a slightly thicker ring gauge.
Gordito: A term used in Cuban cigar factories for a cigar measuring 5 and ½ inches by 50. This is a standard robusto size in the American market.
Gran Corona: One of the largest traditional cigar sizes. Usually, the cigar will have a length of 9 ¼ inches and a 47-ring gauge.
Gran Panetela: A term used for a long and slim cigar. Usually, gran panetelas measure longer than seven inches! The most popular gran panetela is a lancero.
Guajiro: Guajiro is the Cuban term for a man of the earth or peasant farmer. In many groups, it is considered a compliment.
Guayabera: Guayabera is a dress shirt that is primarily worn in Cuba. Usually, it is made of linen and contains many pockets with which to hold cigars.
Gum: Gum is an adhesive made from vegetables and is used to secure the small bit of wrapper at the head of a cigar. It is odorless with no taste and is often referred to as gomma.
H
Habano: Habano is a Cuban term for a cigar that is made with only Cuban tobacco.
Habanos S.A: Habanos S.A. is the distribution company responsible for shipping Cuban cigars around the world.
Half Wheel: A Half Wheel, also known as media ruedas, is a bundle of 50 cigars that is tied with a ribbon. Previously, this was done as a way to store cigars in the factory.
Hand: A hand is the individual tobacco leaves that are hung together after harvest. Typically, a hand will contain around 40 leaves.
Handmade: A cigar that is made with all premium tobaccos and rolled entirely by hand, also known as hand-rolled.
Hand-Rolled: A cigar that is made with all premium tobaccos and rolled entirely by hand, also known as handmade.
Havana: Havana is the capital city of Cuba and is known for being the manufacturing center of the Cuban cigar industry. The term Havana, also known as Habana, can also refer to tobacco seeds that originated in Cuba but are now grown elsewhere.
Head: The head of a cigar is the top closed end of the cigar. The head has a variety of formats, including flat, pigtailed or mounted.
Holder: A cigar holder is a pouch or any portable contained that can hold a small amount of cigars when you’re on the go.
Homogenized Tobacco Leaf: Homogenized tobacco leaf is a cheaper variation of cigar tobacco that was first created in the 1950s. It uses scarps of tobacco put together with an adhesive. Primarily, it used in machine made cigars and it is not used in premium handmade cigars.
Honduras: Honduras is a country in Central America and is one of the leading producers of premium cigars.
Hot: Hot is a term used to describe a cigar that is underfilled. This causes the cigar to burn too quickly and too hot, which causes a harsh taste.
Humidification Element: A humidification element is a device used to maintain the correct humidity in a humidor. There are two kinds of systems, one is active and the other is massive. The active device can move the air around with a blower and a passive device relies on air to move about on its own.
Humidor: A humidor is a container or room that is used to store cigars in a specific setting. Humidors can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they are regularly made using Spanish cedar in order to maintain moisture and humidity levels. Alongside effective storage, humidors aid the aging of cigars by maintaining a humidity level (usually around 70 percent).
Hybrids: Hybrids is the technical name for a cigar tobacco strain that combines two or more singular strains to achieve a combination of both. Hybrids are able to have a level of resistance to disease and offer improved flavors.
Hygrometer: A hygrometer is a device used to measure the relative humidity inside a humidor. When shopping for a hygrometer, they are available in an analog and digital format!
I
Inhale: The act of pulling smoke into your lungs. This should not be done with cigars.
International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association: The largest trade association for the cigar industry. It is now known as the IPCPR, the PCA, and the Premium Cigar Association. Each year, the association holds a trade show to give cigar companies an opportunity to show the audience new products.
ISOM: ISOM is an acronym for "Island South of Miami". This is a term used to describe Cuba in some cigar circles and on the internet.
J
Jalapa: Jalapa is a region in Nicaragua known for its sweet and flavorful tobacco. It is one of the three main growing regions in Nicaragua and its signature red and clay like soil makes it one of the most prized growing regions in the world.
Jamastran: Jamastran is one of the main growing regions of Honduras and is located close to the border of Nicaragua.
Jar: Jars are round containers used to hold cigars. They can be ceramic, or glass and can often be used to decorate as well as hold cigars. Occasionally, jars can be the packaging for limited-edition cigars and for promotions of different brands.
L
La Casa del Habano: A chain of cigar stores around the world that specialize in Cuban cigars. They are partly owned by the Cuban governments cigar entity, which is known as Habanos S.A.
Lance: A lance, also known as a piercer, is a cutter that has a sharp end used to pierce a small hole in a cigar. Although they were very popular in the past, they are uncommon today.
Lancero: A Lancero is a long and slim cigar. Due to the ratio of wrapper to filler, it has a unique flavor profile. It was first created in Cuba on the famed Cohiba brand!
Larguero: A Larguero is the front of a cigar box where you will find the brand name. Often, it contains impressive decorative elements.
Lathe: A wooden pole that is used to hang tobacco in the curing barn. Often, there are less advanced ‘lathes’ that use wooden strings and are known as ‘sartas.’
Lector: A person who would often read to the cigar rollers on the factory floor. While this is no longer a common practice, it is the reason behind the name of famed cigar brands such as Montecristo and Romeo y Julieta!
Libre de Pie: The small leaves thar grow at the bottom of the tobacco plant. Often, they are known as sand leaves and they are rarely ever used in premium cigars.
Lieberman: A Lieberman or ‘Temscos’ is a device that is used in the bunching process. It is a hand powered machine that uses a leather pad to guide in the bunching of tobacco. It is rather popular in the Dominican Republic, but rare elsewhere.
Ligero: One of the main three components of the tobacco plant, the ligero is the strongest leaf! Ligero is on the top of the tobacco plant and gets the most sunlight, which gives it the most body. The leaf is used to give more strength and flavor to a blend.
Lighter: A device that is used to light a cigar. Many cigar smokers prefer a butane fueled lighter. Often, a lighter that is filled with standard lighter fluid can affect the taste of the cigar.
Lighter Fluid: The fuel used in standard wick based lighters, which is sometimes known as ‘naphtha.’ The fluid has a smell similar to gasoline and can negatively affect your cigar taste. Ideally, cigars should be lit with butane gas lighters.
Long Filler: Filler tobacco that uses whole leaves. Most premium cigar use long filler, whereas machine-made cigars use short filler, which means the tobacco is chopped up.
Lonsdale: A Lonsdale cigar size is long and thin; however, it is not as thin as a lancero. Usually, it measures around 6-6.5 inches and has a ring gauge of 42.
Loose: A term used to describe a cigar that is under packed. When a cigar is underfilled, it will result in a quick draw and an overall bad construction. When smoking a cigar like this, you can experience harsh flavors which is not desirable.
M
Machine Made: Cigars made by a machine. Some machines work with long filler tobacco, however, most use short filler tobacco. Machine made cigars are extremely popular throughout the cigar market and are produced in much larger quantities than handmade.
Maduro: A wrapper shade that is on the darker side. It ranges from dark reddish brown to jet black. In Spanish, maduro is the word for ripe. This color can be created by several processes, including longer fermentation or sun exposure.
Mareva: The Cuban term for the petite corona size.
Mass-market: Mass-market is another term for machine-made cigars. Usually, mass-market cigars are created and sold in much higher numbers than handmade cigars.
Mata Fina: Mata Fina is a variety of wrapper that is grown in the North East coast of Brazil. It is one of their most popular tobacco offerings. Similarly, there is a wrapped called “Mata Norte” which is grown on the North of the coast.
Mata Norte: Mata Norte is a sub-variety of the famed Meta Fina wrapper from Brazil. The wrapper is grown in the North section of the coast.
Media Rueda: Media Rueda is a bundle of 50 cigars, which is also known as a half wheel. Usually, half wheels are tied together with ribbon by the cigar rollers.
Medio Tiempo: Small, very flavorful leaves that sometimes appear on the tip top of the tobacco plant. They don't always grow, but when they do, they are highly prized for their flavor and quality.
Mexico: A country in North America known for its creation of cigars and production of the best tobacco. The San Andres Valley grows some of the most sought after tobacco in the world and is used in some of the most premium cigars.
Mini Cigarillo: A smaller version of the machine made cigarillo. They are usually packaged in tins for pocket mobility.
Mixed Fill Cigars: A cigar that is rolled with both long and short filler tobaccos. They are also known as Cuban Sandwich cigars.
Mold: There are two meanings for the word mold. Firstly, it is a wooden form which is used to give cigars their shape after the bunching. The bunched cigars are placed into the mold, covered and then put under a hydraulic press to help them maintain form. Nowadays, cigar molds are made from plastic. Secondly, mold is a form of fungus that can grow on a cigar that is kept in too high of a temperature or humidity. Mold can spread fast and make cigars completely unsmokable through damaging them.
Mounted Head: A mounted head is a cigar head formation that originated in Cuba. The heads are flat with three seams. Often, it is known as the three seam or triple cap.
Mulling: Mulling is a finishing step that is done on tobacco; however, it is not always used. Tobacco can often be mulled in a humid room to finish tobacco leaves. The mulling room has 90% humidity so darkens and sweetens tobacco when necessary.
N
Natural: Natural is a wrapper color that often describes a medium brown colored leaf. Often, it is referred to as Colorado Claro.
Nicaragua: A country in Central America that is one of the leading manufacturers of premium cigars. It has three main growing regions (Estelí, Jalapa, and Condega) as well as several smaller ones.
New World: A term used outside of the US to refer to any cigar that is not Cuban.
Nicaraguan Cigar Guilders Association: A trade group made up of most of the cigar manufacturers from Nicaragua.
Nicotiana Tabacum: The genetic family from which modern day cigar tobacco is derived. It is thought that the original plants originated somewhere in modern day Peru.
Nosing: The act of exhaling a small amount of cigar smoke through the nose without inhaling the smoke into your lungs. This is the best way to taste subtle, nuanced flavors. It is also known as retro-haling.
O
Oil: A feature of a well-humidified cigar wrapper. An oily sheen shows a high quality leaf that has been humidified at the right percentage.
Olor: A popular variety of tobacco from the Dominican Republic. It is known for its big leaves and is often used as filler and binder tobacco.
Ometepe: An island in Lake Nicaragua known for its volcanic activity and nutrient rich soil. Its unique environment gives the tobacco an earthy and slightly sweet taste.
Oscuro: The darkest shade of a cigar wrapper.
P
Panetela: A generic name for a long thing cigar shape. A lancero is an example of a Panetela. Often, extra-long panetelas are known as gran panetelas.
Papeleta: A seal or sticker that is put on the outside of a cigar box. It can be found either on the side or the outer hinge and needs to be sliced with a tool in order to open the box.
Parejo: A standard, straight sided cigar with no taper. Any cigar that is not totally straight is known as a figurado.
Partido: A famed growing region in Cuba.
Passive Humidification System: A humidification system that does not need a battery or electricity to function.
Pelletized: A process in which tiny tobacco seeds are coated in a material, such as clay, to make them easier to handle. This process is not used on all tobacco seeds.
Pelo d'Oro: Pelo d'Oro is a tobacco variety. When translated from Spanish it means "hair of gold". It originated in Cuba and while it is very popular due to its flavor, it can be difficult to grow as it is susceptible to disease. Today it is grown primarily in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Perfecto: A cigar shape that is closed at both ends with a round tapered head. Usually, a perfecto cigar has a bulge in the middle.
Petit Corona: A smaller cigar size, that usually measures about 5 1/8 long with around a 42 ring gauge. It is also known as a Mareva.
Picadura: Picadura is an alternate name for short-filler tobacco which contains scraps of leaf that are put together for machine made cigars.
Piercer: A cutter with a sharp point that is used to poke a small hole in the head of the cigar. It can also be called a lance. Piercers are rather uncommon today.
Pilón: A pile of tobacco that is layered and arranged in order to ferment. After the tobacco is cured they are taken to a warehouse and layered in piles that can weigh up to 4,000 pounds. The weight and moisture creates heat which begins to ferment the tobacco. After a desired heat is reached, the pilon is dismantled and reassembled. This can continue for several months. The term is often used in Cuba and has many different terms that refer to the same thing, such as burros or bulks.
Piloto Cubano: A popular tobacco variety that originated in Cuba and is now grown in the Dominican Republic.
Pinar del Río: The most famous tobacco growing region in Cuba.
Plug: A blockage that can occur in a cigar that will prevent a proper draw. Sometimes, a plug can be fixed by massaging the cigar very gently.
Plume: Also known as bloom, this is a white powder or crystal-like substance that can form on a cigar which has been perfectly humidified in an enclosed space. The bloom on cigars is the chemicals such as ammonia, that are being aged out of the tobacco, giving you a smoother cleaner smoke. It is often confused with mold. Mold is often blue or green and is embedded in the cigar wrapper. If you can dust it off gently, it is plume.
Pre-Castro Cigar: A Cuban cigar that was rolled before the rise of Fidel Castro in 1959. They are incredibly rare and valuable.
Pre-Embargo Cigar: A Cuban cigar that was rolled before the US Cuban Embargo of 1962. Similar to Pre Castro cigars, they are very rare and valuable.
Press: A tool used to apply pressure to a cigar to give it a desired shape. Some are hand powered while others can be hydraulic presses. Pressing initially began in the Dominican Republic.
Primings: The rows of leaves on a tobacco plant. While the number may vary, a typical plant usually has six primings. The higher up the plant, the stronger the tobacco is. The majority of fine tobacco is from priming.
ProCigar: An annual festival held by the major cigar makers of the Dominican Republic.
Prominente: Another name for a double corona, used primarily in Cuban cigar factories. The cigar usually measures 7 1/2 to 8 inches by a 49 to 52 ring gauge.
Propylene Glycol: A liquid solution used to maintain humidity in a humidification device. Due to the alcohol, it takes less time to dissolve, so it doesn't have to be refilled as much as distilled water.
Punch Cutter: A type of cigar cutter that punches a hole in the head of the cigar. The cutter is a cylindrical shape and is softly twisted into the head. Many cigar smokers use this cutting method as they don't enjoy having a cigar cut while in their mouth. When using a punch cutter, it is crucial to not press to hard or you are at risk of damaging your cigar.
Purging: A process by which you blow smoke from the head of the cigar out of the foot. It is used by some to prevent the build-up of unwanted flavors.
Puro: A Spanish term for a cigar. In the modern day industry, it is used to refer to a cigar that uses tobacco only from one country.
Pyramid: A cigar with a sharp taper, a closed head and a wide open foot.
Q
Quisqueya: A smaller curing barn used in some fields in the Dominican Republic. They have open sides and are considered less effective then standard curing barns.
R
Regional Edition: A program that started in Cuba in 2005 in which small batch cigars were created for only certain nations and areas around the world.
Retail Tobacco Dealers of America: The first name of the PCA which is the leading trade association for tobacco retailers. Often it is known as the RTDA.
Ring Gauge: The measurement used for the diameter of a cigar which is based on 64ths of an inch. For example, a 50 ring gauge is 50/64ths of an inch. Ring gauge sizes have varied over the years, but nowadays it is not uncommon to see cigars with ring gauges of 60.
Robusto: The most popular cigar size, usually measuring at five inches long with a 50 ring gauge.
Roller: A cigar factory worker who actually makes the cigar. Sometimes they bunch and roll, but in some factories they simply roll the wrapper leaf along the outside.
Rolling Gallery: The area in a cigar factory where the cigars are rolled by hand. Often the work is split between cigar rollers and cigar bunchers during the cigar making process.
Rolling Method: The method by which a cigar is rolled. The three main methods are booking, the accordion method, and entubado. See the individual definitions of these for more information.
Rolling Gallery: The area in a cigar factory where the cigars are rolled by hand. Often the work is split between cigar rollers and cigar bunchers during the cigar making process.
Rolling Table: The station where a cigarmaker sits and rolls the cigar. The table is typically made of wood.
Rosado: A Spanish term for rose-colored. It describes some wrapper varieties with a red or pink hue to them
S
Salomon: A very large figurado size with a tapered head, a bulbous foot and what's known as a nipple tip. A Salomon is also known as a diadema. Usually, it measures 7 1/4 by 57 ring gauge. When this size of cigar is rolled, it can be quite difficult and requires a huge amount of skill and time.
San Andres Negro: A tobacco grown in the San Andres Valley of Mexico. It is a stalk cut tobacco used primarily for maduro wrappers and binders.
San Vincente: A hybrid tobacco grown around the Dominican Republic. It has a higher yield then the Cuban seed piloto Cubano.
Sand Leaf: The small leaves that grow at the bottom of the tobacco plant. These are often discarded. The sand leaf is also known as libre de pie.
Santiago: Santiago is the central point and heart of Dominican cigar production.
Sarta : A string system that is used to hold tobacco in place. This is not used in a standard curing barn, but in smaller less sophisticated barns.
Scissors: A tool used for cutting your cigar. Although it is not as portable as a guillotine cutter, once mastered, it can deliver a very precise cut. Usually, scissors are made from stainless steel with curved blades.
Seco: The most mellow and thinnest grade of tobacco that is used for filler. Viso is slightly stronger and thicker while ligero is the strongest and thickest of them all.
Seedbed: The section of a farm where the seedlings of tobacco are grown, they are also known as canteros. Although in some parts of the world seedbeds were planted directly in the ground, many plant them in trays or raised beds to provide protection from the elements.
Seedling: When the tobacco seed grows to a few inches and is ready to plant in the ground. This usually takes about 60 days. When it is time for the seedling to be moved into a field, it is dug up and then replanted. As this movement process can be traumatic for the seedlings, they are often damaged.
Semi Boite Nature: A standard cedar cigar box that has two hinges in the rear and brooch style clasp.
Semilla: The Cuban term for tobacco seed.
Shade grown: Wrapper tobacco that is grown under cover. It is usually grown under a tent known as a tapado where the sunlight is filtered and creates a thinner leaf. This originated in the Connecticut River Valley with cheesecloth but is mostly done with nylon today.
Short Filler: Filler tobacco that consist of chopped scarps of leaves instead of long leaves. This is primarily used in machine made cigars. A mixed filler cigar uses a combination of short filler and long filler.
Shoulder: The rounded area of a cigar where the cap meets the body. If you cut below the shoulder, the cigar will begin to unravel.
Single: An individual cigar. Due to the evolution of the industry, it has become more popular to buy single cigars than by the box.
Slide Lid Box: A wooden cigar box with a sliding top used to hold 25 or 50 cigars. They are often packed to provide more air between the cigars, which many believe helps the aging process.
Smoking Time: The average amount of time it takes to smoke a certain cigar. On average, a five inch robusto cigar will smoke for around 30-40 minutes. However, a double corona style cigar could provide almost an hour of smoking time. Usually the thinner a cigar, the less smoking time.
Spanish Cedar: A type of wood that is used for most cigar boxes and humidors. The wood belongs to the mahogany family of wood and is also known as Cedrela, which refers to the tree.
Special Solution: A liquid solution that uses 50 percent water and 50 percent propylene glycol that is used to recharge humidification devices. This prevents the water from evaporating beyond 70 percent humidity.
Spill: A strip of Spanish cedar that is used to light a cigar. A spill is seen as fashionable and very formal. The cedar adds a nice aroma to a cigar but can create a messy ash.
Stalk Cut: A variety of tobacco where the entire plant is cut rather then having the leaves individually removed. Primarily, this is done with Connecticut broadleaf and Mexican San Andres tobacco. Once cut, the plants wilt and are speared on lathes tipped with sharp spear heads. From here, they are hung upside down in curing barns.
Stemming: The process of carefully removing the stem of tobacco. As the stem of a tobacco leaf is thick, it needs to be removed correctly before leaves can create cigars. Wrapper and binder leaves need to have the entire stem removed, while filler tobacco usually has the bottom two thirds of the stem.
Stogie: A slang term for a cigar that originated when referring to cheap or rough looking cigars. It comes from the cigars that were smoked by Conestoga wagon drivers in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Suckers: Shoots can grow from the tobacco plant and can suck the nutrients from the leaves. Suckers are removed to allow the leaves to grow bigger and better.
Suggested Retail Price: The price of a cigar that is suggested and set by the manufacturer. It does not include sales tax or state tax but does include federal tax. While the suggested retail price remains the same, the actual price will vary from state to state.
Sun Grown: Tobacco that is grown in direct sunlight and results in thicker leaves. All filler tobacco is sun grown, while some lighter wrapper tobacco is grown in shade. Thicker and bolder wrapper tobacco is grown in sunlight.
T
Tabaquero: A Cuban term for a tobacco grower.
Tapacalvo: A seal or sticker that is affixed on the edge of a cigar box lid over the nail. It has to be carefully sliced with a tool in order to open the box.
Tapado: A Spanish term for the tent under which shade grown tobacco is grown. It originated with cheesecloth but is now mostly made with nylon.
Tax: A government levy against cigars. Federal tax is paid on all cigars sold in the US and is included in the Suggested Retail Price, while state tax will vary and is added on while purchasing.
Temsco: A device used in the bunching process. It is hand powered and uses a leather pad to guide in the bunching of tobacco. Popular in the Dominican republic, but rare elsewhere. It is also known as Liebermans.
Tercios : Large bales wrapped in palm bark that is used during the fermentation process in some factories.
Thirteen Toppers: A type of flat and rectangular cigar box that is packed with 12 cigars on the bottom and 13 on top. This is part of the group of boxes known as a dress box. Alongside been known as thirteen toppers, they box is known as flat tops.
Three-Seam Cap: A style of cigar head that originated in Cuba, the cigar head is flat and has three seems. It is also used in Nicaragua, Honduras and on a few occasions in the Dominican Republic.
Tobacco Beetle: A tobacco beetle is a trouble that many cigar smokers face. It is a very small beetle that can eat through and ruin a cigar. The eggs hatch above 72 degrees and the beetles will burrow their way through a cigar. If you see small holes throughout your cigar, you may have a beetle problem.
Tobacco Bike: A tobacco bike is a bicycle used to roll up the cloth that is used in Connecticut shade grown fields. By pedaling the bike, the cloth is bringing in the harvested tobacco. This reduces the breakage of the leaves and minimizes the amount of travel required between tobacco rows.
Tobacco Seed: A tiny seed from which a tobacco plant will grow from. They are usually the size of a sprinkle. Tobacco seeds are so tiny that they often need to be coated with a substance such as clay so they are easier to handle.
Tobacconists' Association of America: A group of cigar shop retailers.
Tooth: Tiny fine bumps on a cigar wrapper that are pockets of oil. Typically, they are found on less smooth wrappers such as leaf from Cameroon. The tooth looks like small bumps and if tobacco has this, it is known as having a toothy wrapper.
Top 25: The annual ranking of cigars first created by Cigar Aficionado Magazine. Several other publications have released top lists ever since.
Topping: Topping is the process of removing the flower at the top of the tobacco plant. This causes the nutrients that were being used by the flower to be directed to the leaves. Plants that have been topped are stronger and more flavorful than cigar plants that haven't. Often, tobacco plants that have been topped are known as desflorado.
Torcedor: A Spanish term for a cigar maker or cigar roller.
Torch Lighter: A type of lighter that uses a very hot flame to light the cigar. A torch lighter is best when smoking outdoors as they are generally wind resistant.
Toro: Toro is a popular cigar size formerly known as corona gordas, which translates to fat coronas. While the standard Cuban size was around a 5 5/8 by 46, the standard for the American market is 6 x 50.
Torpedo: A cigar shape that features a pointed head and a bulge in the middle. The torpedo cigar shape is named after the naval weapon.
Totalamente a Mano: Totalamente a mano is the Spanish term for "made totally by hand". Usually, the term can be found on cigar boxes. Hecho a Mano, which means made by hand, is a more general phrase and means the filler could have been done by machine.
Transplanter: The transplanter is a mechanized decide which enables farmers to be able to plant huge amounts of tobacco in a short amount of time. The machine digs a furrow for seedlings, puts it into the required depth, adds the water and then continues to dig it into place.
Trim: The decorative trimming that runs along the edge of a cigar dress box. The trim is also known as filete.
Tripa: Tripa is the Spanish term for filler, which is the individual leaves used in the body of a cigar. See "filler" for more information.
Triple Cap: Triple cap is another name for three seam cap. It is a Cuban style of cigar head with three seams.
Trumpet: A figurado shape cigar where the foot is the thickest point and the cigar gradually gets narrow towards the head.
Trunk Pressed: An extreme form of box pressed cigars. Cigars are placed in a container and pressure is applied from above pressing the cigar. Later, the cigars are rotated and due to this process, the cigars develop a very unique square shape. The process was mainly popularized by the Padron Anniversary series. Technically different than a standard box press.
Tube: An individual packaging for a cigar. Tubes are usually made of glass, metal or wood and provide added protection for the cigar to keep them fresh for longer. Tubed cigars are a great option for those cigar smokers who need to travel with their stogies.
Tubo: The Spanish word for tube.
Tunneling: Tunneling refers to when a cigar burns unevenly. It is a preventable process that can be avoided by simply rotating your cigar occasionally.
U
Underfilled: Underfilled refers to when a cigar is bunched without enough filler tobacco which causes it to burn too hot and quickly.
V
V Cutter: A V cutter is a cigar cutting tool that cuts a v shape notch in the head of the cigar. This results in a more narrow, centralized draw and decreases the risk of cutting too much or too little.
Vega: A tobacco farm or plantation.
Vein: The vein is structural part of a tobacco leaf. A vein that is too prominent can be seen as a defect in a cigar wrapper. A wrapper should be rolled so the heaviest veins are on the inside.
Vertical Brand Tasting: A tasting of every cigar size for a certain cigar brand. This can showcase how different sizes and Vitolas smoke differently while identifying the top performers.
Vintage: A vintage date refers to the year when the cigar tobacco was harvested rather than when it was rolled and created.
Viso: A grade of filler tobacco that falls in between seco and ligero. Viso is also known as volado in some countries.
Vitola: A cigar factory term for different cigar shapes. For example, toro and robusto are cigar Vitolas.
Volado: Another name for viso. Volado is a grade of filler tobacco that is stronger and thicker then seco but thinner than ligero.
Vuelta Abajo: The valley in Cuba that is considered one of the best tobacco growing regions in the world.
W
Wedge Cutter: Wedge cutters are also known as a c-cutter or cats eye cutter. It has a V-shaped blade that cuts the opening in the head of a cigar.
Wheel: A bundle of 100 cigars that are tied with ribbon in a cigar factory. A wheel can also be known as Ruedas.
Wilting: Wilting is the process of letting stalk-cut tobacco sit on the ground in the sun after it is cut.
Wooden Match: A wooden match is the proper match for lighting a cigar. The longer the wooden match, the more time you have to properly light the cigar.
Wrapper: A high-quality tobacco leaf that is wrapped around the outside of a cigar. A cigar wrapper needs to be the most visually appealing part of a cigar as well as the most flavorful. Due to their premium level of quality, wrappers can be among the most expensive, as only certain countries can grow quality wrapper tobacco.
Y
Yankee Hinge: The Yankee hinge is the narrow, long boards on the side of a curing barn. They are swung open to lower the temperature and increase air flow when needed.
Z
Zafadores: Zafadores is the Cuban term for workers who sort the tobacco. Tobacco is sorted in many ways such as by the tobacco variety, size and color.
