Demystifying the Different Cigar Tobaccos

Sometimes the best things in life are the simplest. A glass of wine, a cup of coffee, a good cigar elicit a genuinely pleasant experience, depending on the quality. Just like the components of a fine wine or a rich cup of coffee much goes into the creation of a good quality cigar. Just as different grapes create different types of wine so it is with cigars.

When a cigar artisan creates their cigar, the flavor and quality are dependent upon the type of tobacco that goes into the final product. Think about all the varieties of cigars available at your favorite cigar store. Some are similar but some are very different. And it all starts with the leaf. Here we attempt to demystify the different cigar tobaccos and explain how they are used to make your favorite cigars.

The Main Cigar Tobaccos

Each leaf of tobacco used to create a cigar plays a significant role in the finished product. There are three different layers of tobacco that create the anatomy of your favorite stogie. Each one is vital to your smoking experience and the best cigars don’t budge when it comes to the quality of all three. They are as follows:

Cigar Wrapper Leaf

The outermost layer of tobacco in any cigar is known as the wrapper. It’s essentially one single leaf of tobacco that wraps around your cigar to hold the shape of the finished product tight so your draw is even and there is no loose filler to ruin your smoking experience.

Wrapper leaves are harvested from the very bottom of the tobacco plant (it’s called the Volado). These leaves are the largest, they burn well and they protect the smokability of the cigar. Integrity of the wrapper leaf is foremost in the quality of your stogie. There can't be any blemishes or weakened areas. The leaf must be impeccable and without any flaws. Only about 10% of tobacco qualifies for this lofty and crucial position. That’s why the wrapper leaf is the most costly of cigar tobaccos for your cigar.

Cigar Binder Leaf

Peel back the wrapper (But, really please don’t! It will ruin your cigar!) and you will find the equally important binder. The binder leaf comes from the middle of the tobacco plant (it’s called the Seco) and tends to be tougher and more coarse than the wrapper leaf or filler.

The binder isn’t called upon for flavor. It’s typically pretty bland. The main role of the binder leaf is to help the cigar hold shape. That’s why this cigar tobacco leaf must be sturdy.

Cigar Filler Tobacco Leaves

Both the wrapper and the binder leaves have the mighty task of protecting the cigar’s very essence; the filler tobacco. The filler is made up of the dark, rich and flavorful leaves that grow at the top of the tobacco plant (called the Ligero). Cigar makers use various types of these filler leaves to achieve the taste they’re after. These leaves are stronger in flavor so the more of them the cigar maker uses the stringer the cigar will taste.

Filler tobacco usually comes from a blend of two or more (maximum five) different cigar tobaccos. Like a chef focused on achieving the perfect flavor or a vintner coaxing the desired wine from a blend of grapes, the master tobacco blender will mix a variety of tobaccos in various amounts to create the flavor profile and palate of a cigar.

Brands known for specific flavor profiles, the sweet balanced blend of an Arturo Fuente Hemingway or the full-bodied Romeo y Julieta 1875 Nicaragua for example, rely on specific tobacco blending for their unique and individual flavors.

The “Every Leaf” Tobacco

In the world of cigar tobaccos the Viso leaf is the multitasker of the group. It’s position on the tobacco plant ensures it gets plenty of sunlight but doesn’t become tough or overly strong. The Viso leaf is supple enough to stretch and flavorful too. It can be used in any of the cigar tobacco roles.

Two Types of Filler Cigar Tobaccos

There are two types of filler commonly used in creating your cigar, depending on what you’re smoking. These cigar tobaccos determine the quality of your stogie as far as your cigar smoking experience goes.

• Short filler tobacco is made up of chopped tobacco leaves. This filler cigar tobacco is most common in cheaper cigars or those crafted by machine. Because it burns far hotter than long filler tobacco it’s not as densely packed. This may result in uneven burn and flavor.

• Long filler tobacco consists of whole tobacco leaves which are folded, accordion-style, and compressed. This provides a much more even and longer burn and richer, more complex flavors than short filler. Premium cigars use long filler as a rule.

Enjoying the Different Cigar Tobaccos

On the road to learning all you can about your newfound (or long-enjoyed) pastime you’ll do some experimenting. Different flavor profiles and the way your cigar is constructed are the key

characteristics influencing your experience. As you taste and enjoy a variety of puffs along your journey you’ll certainly determine those stogies that strike your pleasure.

Cigar tobaccos are grown in many different places across the globe. The main requirements for good tobacco regions are long sunny summers, fertile soil that’s well-draining and high humidity, since cigar tobaccos are tropical in origin. The seasonal climate changes influence the flavor of the tobacco.

Of course Cuba and the Dominican Republic are the top cigar tobacco producing places but Nicaragua-grown tobacco is fast becoming the gold standard for full-bodied yet sweet and spicy cigar tobaccos. Honduras, Ecuador, Mexico and even Florida in the US also grow some tobacco worthy of premium cigars.

Connecticut Cigar Tobaccos

Speaking of the US, you’ve likely heard of the Connecticut leaf tobacco. This leaf is primarily used for wrappers. Connecticut is neither tropical nor the climate of long summers. However in 1640 some tobacco farmers brought their Virginia seeds to Connecticut in the hope of growing a cash crop for the New World.

The short growing season, inconsistent weather patterns and loamy soil produced some pretty amazing tobacco. Today the Shade and Broadleaf tobacco that hails from Connecticut wrap many of the world’s most iconic cigars, Monte Cristo, Ashton and Arturo Fuente are just some of the premium cigar makers to use Connecticut wrappers.

The More You Know

There is so much more to know about the art of cigars. Sometimes you simply have to rely on your own research and personal experience. Challenge accepted?

For more information and products to make your cigar experience all that it should be, please contact Northwoods Humidors today. The owner, Kevin, is a Certified Consumer Tobacconist and welcomes your questions about cigar tobaccos and all things cigar-related.