ANATOMY OF A HANDMADE CIGAR

What are cigars? For everyone who has tried them, they bring different sensations. They are made to be enjoyed, they are relaxing, they awaken the senses, they are a symbol of class and style. There are many cigars, with different shapes, sizes, colors, flavors, strengths and many more criteria, but they all have the same anatomy.

The different parts of the cigar

The cigar can be divided into three functional parts

• HEAD – The head of the cigar is the enclosed area at the top of the cigar that touches your lips. The area where the cut is made before the cigar is lit;
• BODY – The body is the middle part;
• FOOT – The foot is the lower part where the ignition takes place.

These parts of the cigar are made up of different types of tobacco. Each of them has its own qualities and characteristics. The type of tobacco is determined by a combination of factors. The first is the variety of the tobacco plant or from what seeds it is sown, the second is where the plant is grown or in which region of the world. Next comes which part of the plant it was picked from, under what conditions it was grown, how long it was aged, what fermentation method was used and therefore what function it performs in the cigar thus made.

The different parts of the tobacco plant

A plant consists of three types of leaves arranged in different levels, each level determining different features and specific qualities of the tobacco leaves. These are the Volado, the Seko and the Ligero. Every cigar needs a combination of these three types, and the combination and the way it is created will have a direct impact on the taste and smoking experience of your cigar. Knowing these three basic types and their characteristics will greatly enhance your understanding of cigars and how they blend.

Tobacco Volado

The first level of the tobacco plant consists of the leaves located at the bottom near the base. They have less sun exposure than the other leaves, Volado or Libra de Pie are poor in flavors and aromas. At the same time they are a very thin and light tobacco that has excellent burning qualities, unlike the others. Therefore, it is included in the blend of tobaccos to ensure an even and consistent burn when smoked. Often the area between the Volado and the Seco is called the Capote. This is the Spanish word for binder tobacco and offers a balanced leaf with the characteristics of both levels. Volado is the leaf that is cut first at harvest.

Seco tobacco

As can be inferred from the name, Seco is from the second zone, located in the middle part of the plant. Unlike Volado, it is fuller-bodied and offers a mild flavor rich in aromas. Besides Seco, this area is sometimes called Uno y Medio depending on the seed. In addition, Seco occupies a fairly large area and includes a series of types within itself depending on the seed (tobacco variety): Centro Fino – fine leaves with rich but restrained strength. Centro Ligero – not to be confused with Ligero, it contains the majority of Seco leaves. Uno y Medio – the first layer of Seco, which often contains Capote leaves.

Ligero tobacco

The leaves collected from the tip of a tobacco plant are known as Ligero. Exposed to the most sun, it is a thick and heavy tobacco with an extremely powerful flavor and strength. To maximize its potency, it is left to mature as the last leaves to be cultivated. Since the previous layers have already been harvested at pruning, the nutrients will slowly concentrate in these remaining leaves to provide full flavour. The Ligero itself consists of several types, which vary by seed type: the Medio Tiempo – three or four thick, small leaves at the very tip, which are the most potent. Rarely used, it can basically be incorporated into some of the boldest and most intense cigars, but lacks subtlety for most flavor blends. Corona – the uppermost part of the Ligero below the Medio Tiempo.

Centro Gordo / Centro Alto – the thick and strong flavored leaf at the base of the Ligero. Ligero leaves are quite dense and thick and do not burn well. It is therefore important to use them in combination in lower portions to ensure an even burn and balanced strength. Ligero is generally less aromatic than Seco, which is why both are used together for a harmonious combination. While Ligero offers powerful flavors and strength, Seco offers enticing flavors. The more Ligero included in the cigar, the stronger it will be.

The use of types of tobacco in the cigar

Having clarified the varieties of tobacco from the different parts of the plant, we can now explain how they are used in the cigar. The different types of tobacco in the cigar, according to the functions they perform, are divided into the following three groups: wrapper tobacco, binder tobacco and filler tobacco. Each of the components of the cigar is made from different types of tobacco. Although a combination of several types of tobaccos are blended to create a unique flavor profile, attention must be paid to how the layers are typically arranged in the cigar.

Wrapper

There are differing opinions that all parts of the cigar are equally important, but in our opinion the wrapper deserves the most attention. It is both the most expensive and the most refined leaf used in the making of the cigar, and comes in a variety of colors, varieties and origins. The cigar wrapper is the outermost sheet that covers the cigar. This means that its appearance is as important as the qualities and aromas it offers. The attractive sheath is a thin and tender leaf with few visible veins and a smooth texture. The advice is that Ligero tobacco cannot be used as it is often too thick and coarse. So it is usually sourced from Seco leaves.

Once the tobacco is selected, a very careful grading process ensures that it is free of any defects and of the appropriate color. It is often desirable to be oily and shiny, which precludes the use of Volado leaves. During the growing process, the selected leaves are carefully cared for under special conditions. For example, some tobacco can be grown under gauze-like sheets to prevent it from becoming dense from the sun’s rays.

Binder

Since the wrapper is delicate, it is not strong enough to hold the contents of the cigar on its own. Therefore, a thicker sheet is often chosen to hold the filling securely. This is the binding tobacco, its function is to bind the contents of the cigar together while acting as a suitable surface for the wrapper. Seco and Volado tobacco can offer the qualities of a binder tobacco, so the commonly used leaves are supplied in the section between them. The leaves are known as Capote, and they are distinguished by certain characteristics of both layers. This is a medium thin but robust tobacco that contains few oils and is poor in aromas and flavors. However, it offers a superior, easy-to-burn consistency.

Filler

The filler makes up the bulk of the cigar’s tobacco. A well-blended selection of tobaccos is essential. Generally, a cigar consists of many different tobacco leaves of different layers to achieve this. The strongest Ligero leaves are often gathered in the center of the filling, as they burn the slowest and increase in intensity. With the addition of Seco leaves, the mixture is enriched in aromas, and with Velado, an even burn is ensured.

The cigar can consist of two types of filling. These are Long filler and Short Filler. The length of the filler leaves is often an indicator of the quality of the cigar. As a rule, only Long filler tobaccos are used to roll handmade cigars. Meanwhile, cheaper machine-made cigars consist of Short Fillers, which are small pieces of tobacco. However, there are cases where shorter leaves are used to fill the uneven areas in the cigars. However, this is a practice that is generally avoided with most premium cigars. Conversely, lower quality leaves are cut into smaller pieces so they can be rolled by a machine, sometimes treated with chemicals to adjust the taste. Therefore, handmade cigars are of much higher quality.

Next up: Cigar Wrapper – all about the cigar wrapper.