Cigars

What are cigars?
By definition, a cigar is a tight roll of cured, fermented tobacco leaves that can be ignited and smoked. The intention of smoking a cigar is to draw the smoke into the mouth only (not the lungs) so the flavor of the tobacco can be tasted and savored.

How are they different from cigarettes?
A cigar is different from a cigarette. Cigarettes are made of finely cut tobacco rolled up in thin pieces of paper. Cigars are made entirely from tobacco leaves (wrapper) and filler.

Cigarette tobacco contains all types of additives and is intended to be inhaled into the lungs as a stimulant.

Smoking a cigar is more like being a wine taster. You are after the palate—not the effect.

Where is cigar tobacco grown?
The tobacco used to make cigars is grown primarily in Latin America in countries such as Brazil, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. It is also grown in other parts of the world as well in nations such as Sumatra, The Philippines, Indonesia, and Cameroon.

Some cigar tobacco is also grown in the Easter portion of the United States.

What makes a good cigar?
Aficionados agree that the tobacco and the method of construction make a great cigar great.

First and foremost, it has to be handmade.

Next, it has to have the right amount of filler. Fewer leaves in the filler means it will burn more quickly and it will smoke faster. This may or may not be good depending on the point of view of the smoker. If it is under filled, that means it probably has too many air pockets in the filler and simply burns too quickly.

On the other hand, if the filler is overfilled, then it will be much harder to draw smoke. This is why a balanced amount of filler really needs to be carefully placed in each and every roll. This will ensure that when the cigar is let, it will burn evenly at the anticipated rate.

If there is an uneven burn, then the rolling process was probably not done correctly.

What are some other qualities of fine cigars?
Believe it or not, another sign of quality is the ash. There is nothing more annoying than ash falling off at inconvenient and unpredictable times. Instead, you should be able to move the cigar about without ashing all over your clothes or the floor.

The texture of a fine cigar feels both springy and firm to the touch. It also feels smooth and has only one shade of leaves in the wrapper.

What does cigar tobacco taste like?
It should be smooth and flavorful. It should never be harsh or burn the mouth. The flavor of the cigar is determined by a number of factors, such as the aging and curing of tobacco, and what is done to ferment it. Fermenting tobacco improves the flavor and also preserves it.

Additional flavors can also be added to the tobacco, as you can see by simply scrolling through the many brands advertised here on Serious Cigars.