What Are The Different Parts of a Cigar?
If you are entering in the world of cigars, there are some parts that is a must for you to know. The barrel itself is a cigar, comprised of three parts: head, body and foot. The cigar’s head is the often-capped area, which touches your lips, if we hold the cigar the head is the upper third. The cap is the rounded portion where you would cut the cigar to smoke it. The body is the third in the middle. The Foot is the lower third reserved for lighting. The Tuck, that “open” part of a cigar which you light to smoke. Caliber refers to the thickness of a cigar or the ring of the cigar. The Capa (wrapper) is the outer sheet of a cigar, it is the part we see. The wrapper influences the aesthetics of a cigar so that it has a good finish. The Capota (binder) is the first sheet that surrounds the filler. It is located between the wrapper and the filler. Tripa (filler), the inner and most important part of the cigar. From the mix of leaves that form the filler is what depends the flavor and aroma of the cigar. The Band, a paper ring that wraps around the cigar often featuring the brand, it has been suggested that they were introduced to hold the cigar together or even to prevent nicotine stains when holding the cigar.
What Are The Different Cigar Vitolas?A Vitola refers to different cigar shapes and sizes. One of the most common ways to categorize cigars is by their Vitolas. Although this sounds simple, it can be very confusing. The initial fundamental to learn about distinguishing cigars is knowing the difference between a Figurado and a Parejo. A Parejo is the classic cigar shape, it’s straight with one rounded capped end and a flat open end can be almost any size. Meanwhile, an exotic form of Parejos is the Culebra. They are achieved by effectively braiding three Parejos together. Anything else is simply referred to as a Figurado. This means that the shape doesn’t follow the conventional straightness and may alter in thickness at some point. |
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How To Taste A Cigar?
In the world of cigars as in many others, you don't need to be a Sommelier to taste and evaluate them according to your own criteria. We will give a basic understanding so you know what aspects you should contemplate in doing so. In this way you can evaluate the cigars that you try and have your own tasting notes. The Strength depends on the leaves that are used to produce the cigar. There are three types:
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Ligero (strength 3): The leaves harvested from the very top of a tobacco plant. Exposed to the most sun, it is a thick and heavy leaf that is extremely potent in flavor. The taste is the most important aspect , and be more or less intense. Also you may note other hints of sweetness, spices and toasting.
Seco (strength 2): Is the second priming found in the plant’s middle section, a well-balanced and oily leaves, its flavors may be understated but it is considerably aromatic. You will see differences in colour, thickness, touch (rough, smooth, wrinkled) and the overall finish (more or less compressed). the aroma may vary, what you should do is smell the aroma of the cigar before and after lighting it up. There are aromas more durable than others and the intensity may vary for each one. Volado (strength 1): The first priming of a tobacco plant consists of the leaves found at the base, it’s a very thin and light tobacco that offers superior burning qualities because it’s more combustible. Therefore, it’s included in a cigar’s blend to ensure an even and consistent burn when smoked. |
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"I started smoking cigars just so there was some of that smell in the air."
- FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA
How To Properly Smoke a Cigar?
CUTWhen you are ready to smoke your cigar, the time will come to cut the cap so you can draw through it. There are guillotines, V-cuts and punches that you can choose from. Single and double bladed guillotines are the basic types and the most popular tools in circulation. The cigar punch is a small blade that’s been curved into a ring choice for travelling. Whatever method you go for, the cut should be careful yet decisive. and most experts agree that you shouldn’t bite a cigar like a gangster in the movies. Rather than looking like Al Capone, you’ll end up tearing the wrapper and get bits of tobacco in your teeth! Furthermore, you don’t want to cut too high up the cigar’s shoulder as it may cause the wrapper to unravel as you smoke.
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LIGHTBefore lighting, many enthusiasts like to take a moment to puff on the cigar known as the dry, raw, pre-light or even cold draw. This serves as a great indicator of what the cigar will be like when you smoke it. Now that you're ready to light it, gently prepare the cigar’s foot with the flame at a distance. Bring the flame closer and draw it in with your mouth. A final puff on the cigar against the lighter to create a flame. Blow on it to ensure an even burn. Remember to rotate the cigar while you do this. Exposing the cigar to the flame from only one angle may cause an uneven burn. We recommend butane lighters or torch lighters, which provide an intense and even flame more convenient for lighting cigars.
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ENJOY Unlike cigarettes, cigars aren’t meant to be inhaled. you draw on the cigar by creating pressure with the center section of your tongue. You can compare the action to sucking on a straw or blowing a kiss. Certain people practice a technique known as retro-haling which involves pushing the smoke down the back of the mouth and up the sinuses to be exhaled out of the nose allowing you to detect the full spectrum of flavors and discover subtle characteristics of your cigar. Once you have finished with your cigar, you’ll want to dispose of it. However, refrain from crushing it like a cigarette. Crushing a cigar won’t put it out straightaway but will create a big cloud of smoke. Instead, simply let the cigar rest on the side of an ashtray and it will eventually go out on its own.
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