Cigars are a unique and complex product. There are many terms and phrases that are specific to the cigar industry, and it can be difficult to know what they all mean. In this blog post, we will provide a glossary of cigar terms for the aspiring aficionado. This will help you understand everything from binder
to zipper foot.
We'll also explain some of the most important aspects of cigar smoking, such as wrapper types and flavor profiles. So, whether you're just starting out in the world of cigars or you're looking to learn more about them, this post is for you!
A Ash: The ash is the solid, black residue that remains after a cigar is smoked. It should be gently tapped off every few puffs to prevent it from building up and affecting the flavor of the cigar.
B Binder: The binder is the layer of tobacco that holds the filler together. It's often made from a different type of tobacco than the filler, and its main purpose is to provide strength and stability to the cigar.
Blend: A blend is a mixture of different types of tobaccos, typically mixed in order to achieve a certain flavor profile or aroma. Blends can be composed of tobaccos from different parts of the world, such as the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, or they can be made up entirely of one type of tobacco.
Body: The body is a term used to describe the strength and weightiness of a cigar's flavor. Cigarsare often classified as having light, medium, or full bodies depending on how strongly flavored they taste when smoked.
Burn Line: A burn line is where the flame meets the side of a lit cigar; it should be even all around for best results. It can also refer to what happens when someone smokes too much pot in one sitting (they start burning lines).
C Cello: Cellophane is used to wrap cigars before sale; this prevents them from drying out while being stored at room temperature.
Chocolate: A flavor that is often found in Maduro wrappers. It's a deep, rich flavor that has notes of cocoa and coffee.
Churchill: Churchill cigars are named after the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who was known for his love of big, fat cigars. They are typically larger than other sizes and have a ring gauge (or width) of between 47 and 52.
Clove: A spice that is sometimes used to add flavor to cigars. It has a strong, peppery taste and aroma that can be quite distinct.
Cigarillo: Cigarillos are small cigars that usually weigh around two grams and have a ring gauge of 28 or less. They're perfect for those who want to enjoy a quick smoke without committing too much time to it.
Corona: A cigar that is typically longer and thinner than the Robusto, with a ring gauge of 42-44.
D Dark: A term used to describe cigars that have been aged for more than two years and are therefore very strong in flavor. These types of cigars tend to be robust, full-bodied smokes that leave behind an aftertaste of earthiness and spice on the palate.
Draw: The draw is how easy it is for airflow through the cigar when you're smoking it; this affects how well your cigar will burn all around (as opposed to just down one side). An ideal draw should allow enough space between each puff so that there's no whistling sound coming out from underneath your hand holding onto the stick while still being tight enough not to let a lot of smoke escape.
E English: A type of cigar that is composed of 100% Virginia tobacco. They are known for their light, grassy flavor and lack of spice.
Entubar: Entubar is a method of rolling cigars that was invented by Rafael Nodal, the owner and head blender at Boutique Blends Cigars. It involves stuffing the filler tobacco into the buncher (the machine used to make cigars) in a specific way so that it's tightly packed and airtight. This results in a more consistent burn and better draw overall.
F Filler: The filler is the tobacco that makes up the majority of a cigar. It's responsible for both the flavor and body of your smoke, so it's important to choose the right type for what you're looking for.
G Gauge: A cigar's gauge is its ring size, or width in millimeters at its widest point (usually right near where it enters into the wrapper). The smaller this number gets, the bigger and bulkier a cigar will be when smoked; conversely, if there were no changes made other than shrinking down those dimensions then all other things would remain constant except that now they’re more expensive due to less space being taken up by tobacco which means less demand from customers who want something cheaper instead! This explains why some people prefer certain cigars over others because their tastes vary not just based on flavor but also on whether or not they prefer something that's more expensive or less so; this could only happen due to differences in what makes each person happy when it comes down to price point.
H Humidor: A humidor is a cabinet made of wood, with cedar lining inside which helps maintain humidity levels between 65 and 70%. It will usually come equipped with some sort of hygrometer (a device that measures relative humidity) as well as two trays for holding cigars at different heights depending on how long you want them kept there before smoking them again. The cigar should remain wrapped up until ready for consumption because removing the cellophane too soon will cause moisture loss from within its wrapper leaf causing cracks and tears if left unchecked over time due to constant contact with air this will ultimately lead to death by dehydration if nothing is done about it quickly!
I Infusion: An infusion occurs when a cigar has been soaked in an alcoholic beverage or flavored syrup before being smoked. This allows the smoker to enjoy different flavors from within their favorite blends without having to smoke multiple cigars at once; however there are still some drawbacks such as the increased risk of burns due to exposure to outside elements like heat sources that may cause irritation/painful sensations for sensitive individuals (e.g., people who suffer from asthma).
J Julien, CAO: The owner and head blender at Boutique Blends Cigars, Rafael Nodal created entubar rolling method which results in a more consistent burn during your smoke as well as better draw overall.
K Keel: The keel is the center vein of a cigar leaf, which runs lengthwise down its length on each side and provides support to hold everything together when rolled into shape. It also helps prevent cracking during smoking since this part tends not to be wrapped in cellophane like other parts because it's important for ventilation purposes so that there are no blockages leading towards the endcap where your lips will eventually go after lighting up; without proper airflow inside could cause burning sensation while inhaling hot air through mouthpiece if were blocked off completely due lack space being covered by covering material (e.g., cellophane).
L Ligero: Ligero refers to any tobacco that has been aged for at least two years in order to achieve its full potential flavor profile before being blended into your favorite cigars. The longer this type of leaf grows, the more intense its flavors become which means it will likely overpower other components unless used sparingly; but when done correctly there's nothing better than getting just the right amount from one tobacco plant (or even several plants) mixed together to create new experience altogether!
M Maduro: Maduro refers to a cigar that is made with extra-dark leaves or sweetened wrappers. This can give you hints of chocolate and coffee on top of all those rich earthy tones already present within the blend itself without adding anything else - only enhancing what's thereby making them stronger through the aging process over time so they enhance other flavors because we're talking about aging tobacco plants rather than just putting them together in some kind crazy concoction.
N Nicaragua: Nicaragua is a country located between Costa Rica and Honduras, which has become known as one of the finest cigar producing regions in Central America because its climate provides perfect conditions for growing tobacco leaves all year long; this means there's no need to worry about food supply running out before harvest time comes around again next spring! The Nicaraguan cigars have an earthy flavor profile that includes notes from both dark chocolate and black coffee without being too overpowering so it won't overpower other components within the blend itself if used sparingly but still strong enough to make an impact when blended properly.
O Oscuro: Oscuro refers to the darkest shade of brown on a wrapper, which can range from nearly black through all other colors. This type of leaf is usually grown in Cuba or Honduras where there's lots of sun so it gets more intense flavors than lighter wrappers do because they're exposed to more sunlight during the growing process; this means that you'll get bolder notes such as cedarwood with hints of sweet spice without overwhelming sweetness coming out any time soon!
P Pasilla: A pasilla refers to a cigar that has been aged for at least two years in order to achieve its full potential flavor profile before being blended into your favorite cigars. The longer this type of leaf grows, the more intense its flavors become which means it will likely overpower other components unless used sparingly; but when done correctly there's nothing better than getting just the right amount from one tobacco plant (or even several plants) mixed together to create new experience altogether!
Q Quorum: A quorum is the minimum number of members required to conduct business, which in our case means smoking cigars. This varies depending on the type of organization or legislature being discussed, but for cigar aficionados, it typically means at least five people are needed so everyone can have their own unique experiences and share with others later on - that's what makes this hobby so great, after all!
R Robusto: A Robusto is a shorter, thicker cigar that usually measures about five inches long by 50 ring gauge. This size is perfect for smokers who enjoy a quick smoke without having to spend too much time on it, and the thicker gauge means that there's more tobacco in each cigar which results in a fuller flavor profile.
S Sabor: Sabor refers to the taste of a cigar, which can vary depending on the type of tobacco used, how it was aged, and where it was grown. Each region has its own unique flavor profile that is distinct from anywhere else in the world, so be sure to try cigars from different parts of the globe to find your favorite!
T – Toro: A tapered cigar that is wider at the head than at the foot, with a ring gauge of 52-54.
T Torpedo: A torpedo is a tapered cigar that is wider at the head than at the foot. This shape allows for more airflow and provides a cooler smoke, making it perfect for smokers who enjoy a longer-lasting experience. The torpedo also has a larger ring gauge than the Robusto, which means there's more tobacco in each cigar and a fuller flavor profile.
U Undercrown: The Undercrown is a line of cigars that was created by Drew Estate in response to the shortage of Liga Privada cigars. This blend uses different types of tobacco leaves that are less-than-perfect for making traditional Liga Privadas, but the end result is a delicious cigar that is available at a fraction of the price. be sure to try one if you get a chance!
V Vaquero: A vaquero is a cowboy, and this term is often used to describe someone who enjoys smoking cigars while riding horses. This type of smoker is typically looking for a strong, full-flavored cigar that will last for hours, and the Nicaraguan cigars are perfect for this!
W White Label: The white label is the most popular line of cigars from Drew Estate, and it includes a variety of blends that are all made in Estelí, Nicaragua. These cigars are available in both natural and Maduro wrappers, and they range in size from petit coronas to torpedos. be sure to try one today!
X XO: XO is an abbreviation for extra old,
which is used to describe cigars that have been aged for at least ten years. This extended aging process results in a mellower flavor profile with less nicotine content, making it the perfect choice for smokers who enjoy a relaxing experience. be sure to try an XO cigar today!
Y Yamasa: The Yamasa region is located in the Dominican Republic, and it is known for producing some of the best tobacco in the world. This area is home to the Corojo seed, which is used to make some of the most flavorful cigars on the market. If you're looking for a delicious, full-flavored cigar, be sure to try one from Yamasa!
Z Zesty: A zesty flavor profile is often described as being peppery or spicy, and it can be a great choice for smokers who are looking for something different. Be sure to ask your tobacconist if they have any recommendations of cigars with this type of flavor profile!
These are the most common cigar terms that you're likely to encounter when shopping for cigars. Most of them relate directly back to their origin country or region, so if you see something like Dominican,
it means it's made in the Dominican Republic! We hope this list helps make sense of some confusing words and phrases out there...good luck with your next purchase!
There you have it - a glossary of cigar terms for the aspiring aficionado! be sure to bookmark this page and refer back to it whenever you're in need of some guidance. And most importantly, enjoy your cigars!
