Cigar Smokers Glossary

A method of cigar packaging by which the cigars are placed in a box by rows of eight at the base, nine in the middle and eight on the top. An example would be the aptly named Romeo y Juliet 8-9-8’s.

Grown in the north east of Brazil, Arapiraca is a very distinct variety of tobacco leaf known for its strong, dark and oily qualities. In the past years the Ecuadorian tobacco farmers have taken to growing this variety as well.

When dealing with cigars the term aroma is usually used to define the distinct smell produced by the burning cigar. Some people also like to call this the bouquet but definitions can be disputed as these terms can also be used interchangeably for the smell produced by a box of cigars.

The result of a burning cigar, the ash is the burned tobacco. Often a white ash that holds well to the cigar is deemed a sign of a well rolled cigar.

A bale is a unit of storage for tobacco. The process starts when the workers take the tobacco that has been prepared (cured and fermented) and proceed to line it in a crate that is atop a scale. After adding multiple layers the weight desired is reached and it is further pressed using hydraulic machinery. By the end the bale may weigh around 110 pounds.

The band of a cigar is the ring of paper that bears the insignia of the brand and other notes of information (sometimes the brand name, vitola or ring gauge). Many speculate on the origin of this tradition, some crediting it to Spanish nobles such as Katherine the Great whilst others believing it to have been Gustave Bock or Ramon Allones who were the original creators.

Different companies have different approaches, some opting for very colourful designs and golden embossed writing whilst others offer more sleek and discreet iconography. Another recent trend is cigars having two bands on them, the second often being narrower and stating the year of release or limited geographical region it was released for.

Another term for the binder, the leaf that holds together the internal blend of the cigar known as the filler or bunch. On occasion certain manufacturers will utilise two banda to create a more complex flavour profile.

A barber pole cigar is instantly recognisable by the intertwined wrapper leaves that give it the aesthetic familiarity of the classic barber poles or candy canes.

The cigar smokers arch nemesis the tobacco beetle can wreak havoc to a prized collection. Starting as an egg in the cigar, if the temperature reaches 72 degrees the eggs hatch into beetles that proceed to burrow through the cigars and out of the other end. An unfortunate smoker will see the tell tale signs as they inspect a cigar and notice small punctures that appear as if the wrapper leaf has been pierced with a pin. The cigars must then be removed immediately to minimise the chance of damage to any other cigars being stored in the same location.

Another term for the banda, the binder holds together the internal blend of the cigar known as the filler or bunch. On occasion certain manufacturers will utilise two binders to create a more complex flavour profile.

The term used for the mixture of tobacco leaves that are used to build the cigar (filler, binder and wrapper) is the blend. Cuban cigars will exclusively use Cuban tobacco whilst some new world cigar makers will use a variety of leaves from multiple countries to create unique blends with interesting flavours.

Bloom or plume is a noticeable part of the ageing process that should not be confused with mould. Oils are sweated out of the tobacco resulting in a fine white powder appearing on the cigar. This can simply be brushed off lightly using a soft bristle brush.

Blue mould is an airborne fungus that can destroy a crop of tobacco in a very short time. Different tobaccos can have different resistances to blue mould. Not local to one region this can affect tobacco anywhere it is grown.

The name given to the protective sheet of paper inside a box of cigars.

The name given to a cylindrical bunch of filler tobacco leaves wrapped together with a binder leaf.

The name of the workers tasked with preparing the filler leaves into bonche.

A simple term for the process of ageing a full box of cigars after they have left the factory.

With all genuine Havana cigars comes a code on the box that can be used to acquire the date of manufacture. In past years these were less obvious to decipher but thankfully they are now forthcoming with the information in an easy to understand format.

A box pressed cigar will be easily recognisable by its rectangular shape. This is achieved by boxing the cigars and then having pressure applied to them. Once the cigar is lit and has heat and air being channelled through it the cigar will often return to a round shape. A notable box pressed cigar would be the Montecristo No.2.

A modern, internet born expression given to fellow cigar smokers, the acronym being B.O.T.L.

When filler and binder leaves are prepared and placed in a mould before going on to be wrapped, these leaves are called a bunch.

The name given to the workers responsible for preparing bunches.

A more economical style of packaging than boxing cigars is to make a bundle of 20 or 25 cigar wrapped in cellophane.

A box of either 25 or 50 cigars with a sliding top more often than not wrapped in a ribbon.

A curing barn with an advanced system of ductwork for expertly managing temperature and humidity. First pioneered in Cuba this technique is now practised in some Central American countries but is expensive to set up and requires extensive knowledge of use of this system.

A green colour wrapper leaf still rich in chlorophyll also known as a double claro, the candela was popularised in the United States from the late 1950s to early 1970s. In comparison to other wrapper leaves a candela will have a bitter taste. If exposed to sunlight the candela leaf will end up brighter in shade whereas heat will cause the leaf to turn brown. Unlike most leaves candela wrappers cant be stored in tobacco warehouses instead they must be refrigerated.

When a cigar has a flaw that causes a side burn that is reminiscent of a burnt out canoe.

The name given to the small piece of wrapper leaf placed atop the head of the cigar, this is the last step in rolling the cigar. Different forms of cap such as flat or pigtail give flare to different to cigars. They are usually mounted and require cutting or punching to be able to smoke the cigar.

Another name given to the wrapper leaf of a cigar.

Another name given to the binder or banda leaf of a cigar.

A very distinct naturally occurring compound that appears with well aged cigars.

Cedar, specifically Spanish cedar is a wood favoured in its use for building cigar boxes and humidors. Other varieties of cedar such as red cedar or aromatic cedar are not used, only Spanish cedar.

A thin strip of Spanish cedar that one lights using a candle or match and then proceeds to use to light the cigar. A very traditional and fashionable way to light a cigar in the confines of home or in very little wind.

A thin, transparent protective plastic often used to wrap new world cigars individually or into bundles. Individually cellophane wrapped cigars offer extra protection from damage but can prevent humidity from reaching the cigar, thus if planning on storing in your humidor you should remove the cellophane wrapping before doing so.

A curing barn with an advanced system of ductwork for expertly managing temperature and humidity. First pioneered in Cuba this technique is now practised in some Central American countries but is expensive to set up and requires extensive knowledge of use of this system.

An unofficial ‘slang’ term used to describe short filler tobacco.

A portable receptacle of varying size for safely carrying a personal selection of cigars when out and about. Often made of leather and with a Spanish cedar lining, these can carry as few as one or as many as five or six cigars, although most are made to be pocket sized.

The term cigar maker is used interchangeably to describe either the owner of a cigar factory and brand, or to describe the workers in the factory who manufacture the cigars.

A pale green to light brown tobacco leaf that is more often than not shade grown.

A box with a sliding lid used for cigars. Both Cuban and New World cigar makers use these styles of boxes.

A curing barn with an advanced system of ductwork for expertly managing temperature and humidity. First pioneered in Cuba this technique is now practised in some Central American countries but is expensive to set up and requires extensive knowledge of use of this system.

Towards the latter stages of the cigar manufacturing process workers with specialised knowledge are required to spread out a large amount of cigars on a clear surface in a well lit room. Then they go about the task of arranging them into uniform bundles or boxes of almost identical shade. By the end there can be as many as twenty different colours.

A name given to someone well versed in a specific subject through active experience, in this case a cigar connoisseur would be someone who has smoked cigars for many years, not limiting themselves to one style but instead trying many different varieties giving them an extensive knowledge of different cigar characteristics.

A Cuban seed variety named after the facility it was first created at the El Corojo Plantation in the 1930’s. After being used for many years to wrap fine Cuban cigars it is no longer used in Cuban cigar manufacturing but instead is used in Central America and the Caribbean.

A term used by growers in New World countries for seeds taken from Cuba and grown elsewhere. However a Cuban seed grown in Nicaragua will not taste the same as one grown in Cuba due to the nutrients and compounds in the soil differing due to there geographical differences.

A handmade cigar, instead of utilising only long-filler tobacco a Cuban sandwich incorporates short-filler tobacco too, lowering the cost to produce.

One of the most crucial steps in tobacco preparation is the curing process. Straight after harvesting the leaves are taken and hung in special barns also known as ‘Casa De Tabacos’. Using a process of ventilation and heat the leaves are allowed to go from green to yellow and then finally brown. After this process is complete the leaves will go on for fermentation.

An implement used to cut the head of a cigar to ready it for smoking. There are many different styles of cigar cutter such as the straight cutter, guillotine, v-cutter, cigar scissors and shuriken cutter to name a few.

The act of topping a tobacco plant and removing the top portion to allow the energy distribution to be directed to the leaves, making them richer in nicotine and there for stronger.

The term given to the act of dipping the end of a cigar in a spirit such as whisky, rum or port. Most connoisseurs would frown at this being done.

A wrapper tobacco with a green shade attained through heat controlling the chlorophyll content of the leaf. Also known as candelas.

Predominantly used in New World factories the draw test machine is a device used to channel air through a cigar before its capped allowing the cigar maker to determine how consistent the draw will be. These machines have been in use since the 1990’s.

When describing the air that is pulled through a cigar into ones mouth the term draw is employed. Some cigars can have a less than satisfactory draw due to issues that may have arose in the rolling process or in storage. A great draw can allow the smoker to truly gain all the flavour, nuances and characteristics of a cigar, whereas a bad draw can turn a cigar into a tedious chore.

In the United Kingdom any Habanos S.A stock that has been vetted by Hunters&Frankau will have an E.M.S sticker on it denoting its authenticity.

The Pipe Shop Ltd.

An agricultural town in Nicaragua responsible for the majority of Nicaraguan cigar production.

The side of the cigar selected by the roller to have the band placed on and face upward in the box once open, selected for its aesthetic qualities.

One of the most important steps, during the fermentation process the tobacco leaves are moistened and put into large bulks where they are allowed to heat and build pressure. During this time ammonia is released from the tobacco and it takes up a chemical change. Smoking unfermented tobacco could leave a smoker very ill.

A curing barn with an advanced system of ductwork for expertly managing temperature and humidity. First pioneered in Cuba this technique is now practised in some Central American countries but is expensive to set up and requires extensive knowledge of use of this system.

The tobacco leaves that are used in the body of the cigar, excluding the binder or wrapper leaves.

The term used to describe the lingering taste on the palate after taking a draw on a cigar. The heavier bodied the cigar the stronger the finish.

The foot of a cigar is the end you light, most come open but some select manufacturers will release cigars with a closed foot.

A glass tube designed to prevent the cigar within from being damaged.

An adhesive that is odourless and flavourless derived from vegetables. Used to secure the cap to the head of the cigar. Also known as gum.

The company responsible for exporting Cuban cigars globally.

Any cigar that is made 100% by hand, or as the Cubans would say “hecho a mano”.

The end of the cigar that goes in your mouth, often closed and needs cut.

A tool that can have the head of a cigar inserted in it and then be placed in the smokers mouth. Not the mouth of the smoker. Some people find it helps if they are prone to biting or salivating too much on the head of the cigar. Can be made of a host of materials

A mixture of loose ends of leaf re-constituted into a sheet of tobacco using cellulose adhesive. Most supermarket brands such as King Edwards use this method to create there wrappers.

Most commonly a box but sometimes a walk in room, a humidor is the place used to store in optimum condition ones cigars. Usually between 62% and 70% humidity. Even more advanced humidors can regulate other factors such as temperature and air flow.

The device used in a humidor to monitor the humidity within.

Part Cuban government owned Cigar specialist stores all sanctioned by Habanos S.A.

A lance, also often referred to as a cigar piercer is a small tool designed to pierce a hole in the cap of a cigar instead of using a cutter. Some smokers prefer the distribution of smoke on the pallet when smoking a cigar that has been lanced.

More common in previous days was the cigar factory employing a Lector, a person who would read traditional books and plays to the cigar rollers as they worked. Still found in Cuba but rarely elsewhere.

The smallest leaves found at the base of the tobacco plant, it’s not used in cigar production.

The strongest of the filler tobaccos is ligero. Often mixed in a blend to add body and depth with rich flavour.

Lighters come in many shapes and sizes. Cigar smokers will favour butane lighters over petrol ones due to the effect it can have on taste. Butane lighters will either come with a soft or jet flame, the latter being more frequently used by cigar smokers for its aptitude in all environments.

All the highest quality cigars are rolled with long filler, this is to say that they are filled with whole leaves running the length of the cigar compared to short filler cigars that use chopped leaf.

A term used by cigar smokers for a cigar that has not been filled enough, usually burning hot as a result.

Cigars that are not rolled by hand but instead using machinery to produce them. Different companies use different cuts of tobacco of varying quality. For example some machine rolled Cuban minis will use the off cuts off long filler tobacco used to produce there hand rolled cigars.

A dark brown to black wrapper leaf rich in nicotine. The word maduro translates form Spanish to ‘ripe’. Different techniques such as long exposure to sunlight can be used to achieve this.

A prized leaf on the tobacco plant found toward the top of the plant. Not all plants will produce these leaves making there addition to cigars highly valuable.

The darkest shade of wrapper leaf, even more so than maduro.

The seals and stickers that go around the edges of a box sealing it. These need to be cut to access the cigars. They will usually show the country they were exported from and the brand may have its own papeleta as well.

The term used for any straight sided cigars such as panetelas, coronas, lonsdales and churchills.

A cigar that is plugged will be unsmokeable due to a blockage within the cigar.

Another term given to bloom, plume is a noticeable part of the ageing process that should not be confused with mould. Oils are sweated out of the tobacco resulting in a fine white powder appearing on the cigar. This can simply be brushed off lightly using a soft bristle brush.

A machine, traditionally hand operated to apply pressure and shape the cigars. Some factories now prefer to use a pneumatic press over a hand crank press.

Another tool for preparing the head of a cigar for smoking. The punch has the smoker twist on the side of the punch to reveal a circular blade. The smoker will then place this against the head and twist gently as to not damage the cigar. The result is a small hole in the cap.

In the United Kingdom we sometimes get ‘Gran Bretana’ special regional limited editions. This began back in 2005 in Cuba and to this day multiple countries get there own regional editions. These cigars will often have two bands and always explicitly state that they are regional exclusives.

The ring gauge is the circumference of a cigar and is determined by a number for example a robusto  is a 50 ring gauge.

The worker in the factory tasked with rolling the cigars.

The table at which a roller will roll cigars. Usually wooden and having all the required tools for the cigar maker.

Cigar scissors are another traditional way of cutting cigars, seen less in recent years the scissors can be hard to master but offer a superb cut when done right.

The lightest and thinnest of the filler tobaccos used for cigars.

Originally grown under cheesecloth in the early 1900’s modern tobacco farmers now use nylon canopies to filter the sunlight. The outcome is a thinner leaf with more elasticity.

The term used for tobacco that has been chopped down and used for filler instead of whole leaves. This is less favourable and creates cigars that can be sold cheaper than long filler cigars.

A slang name for cigars.

Tobacco that has been grown with exposure to prolonged direct sunlight resulting in darker, stronger, richer tobacco with large veins on the leaves.

The Cuban name for a tobacco farmer is a tabaquero.

The three seem cap sometimes known also as the mounted head or triple cap are a Cuban style of flat head that have three seams.

The Cuban term for a cigar roller.

The Spanish term for filler tobaccos, the leaves are used to build the body of the cigar.

Tubos translates to tubed. Many cigars come in tubes with cedar lining to protect the cigars from damage.

Sometimes also called a wedge cutter or cats eye cutter the v-cutter has a v shaped blade that cuts a nick in the end.

The term vintage when used to describe a cigar is usually in relation to one of the main components used in its construction. More often than not this will be the filler that was used and the date displayed will pertain to when the tobacco was harvested.

A filler tobacco that is stronger than seco and lighter than ligero. Viso can also be known as volado.

A zafadore is an employee responsible for sorting the tobacco leaves into various different groups be it by type, shape or colour.

The leaf that is wrapped around the binder and filler. High in quality a cigar roller will hope to use a wrapper leaf that has very little aesthetic impurities to make it as attractive to they eye of the customer as possible. The wrapper leaf is the most expensive tobacco used in cigar manufacturing. The wrapper is also known by its Spanish name of ‘capa’.