A Glossary of Cigar Terms
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
ACCESSORIES
Ancillary products that add to the experience of fine cigars including:
ash trays, lighters, cutters, punches, etc. Also included are
the attachable, insertable, removable and modifiable parts of
a humidor as well as products that maintain or modify them. These
might include the following: HUMIDIFIERS, HYGROMETERS, HYGROSTATS and WETTING
SOLUTIONS.
ACTIVE
HUMIDIFIERS
See ELECTRONIC HUMIDIFIERS.
AROMA
The smell of a burning cigar. Also includes the
smell of the wrapper and filler leaves prior to lighting the cigar. Aroma
is one of the more important aspects of enjoying a fine smoke and is
integral to the full experience of flavor.
BINDER
The middle layer of tobacco used to hold together
the filler tobacco. The binder lies just below the outer wrapper. One
of the three main components that makes up a hand-made cigar. See
also FILLER and WRAPPER.
BLEND
The combination of tobaccos used as the recipe
for a given cigar. The FILLER and BINDER join
in harmony with the WRAPPER tobacco to give
a cigar its unique flavor signature. The blend of tobaccos in a cigar
create its unique flavor, similar to the concept of blending wine grapes,
tea leaves, coffee beans, etc.
BLOOM
Also, called Plume. A white film or spots on the
wrapper caused by oileoresins in the tobacco drying on the surface.
This generally indicates a cigar that is aging gracefully and will
likely taste its best. Bloom is distinguishable from fungus or MOLD,
which shows up as patchy and fuzzy areas on your cigar. If left alone,
mold will ruin your goods. Check out the photo of bloom below.
Above Right: Cigars with bloom
BODY
Body is the texture or feel of the tobacco and
the smoke on our palate and respiratory mucosa when we smoke a cigar.
These textures or the sensations they produce in the mouth and nose
can be either more or less prominent, representing fuller or lighter
body. Spicy cigars may tingle the tongue or savory ones may feel "heavy" on
the palate. See also FLAVOR and STRENGTH.
BOX
Can refer to a HUMIDOR (i.e., "A
good box will maintain a constant internal environment."), or
the container used to package cigars. (i.e., "Let's buy another
box of stogies.")
BONCHERO
Boncheros are trained workers who roll the filler
tobacco into the BINDER leaf. After the bonchero
rolls the BUNCH, he or she then puts the cigars into a cigar press,
which will help the cigars to keep their shape. Boncheros work together
with a ROLLERwho puts the WRAPPER leaf
on the bunch.
BUNCH
The combination of the binder and filler tobacco
is called the bunch. The bunch is created by workers known as "boncheros." Boncheros
prepare the bunch so that the rollers or torcedores can finish the
cigar by putting the wrapper over the bunch. Boncheros will often use
a Lieberman machine to form a more consistent bunch. See LIEBERMAN
MACHINE. In photo below: 1. Forming the bunch; 2. Positioning the
filler in Lieberman machine; 3. Rolling filler into binder leaf.
CALIBRATION
Adjusting the accuracy of your HYGROMETER,
so that you know with greater accuracy the humidity inside your box.
Checking your hygrometer against something with a known, constant humidity
will tell you whether your hygrometer needs calibration. This is an
inexact science since all hygros estimate humidity and have an error
factor that can range from 5 to 15 percent.
CIGAR
BOOM
The cigar boom was the period from late 1992 to
1997, when cigar demand was much, much greater than cigar supply, and
virtually anything brown and cylindrical would sell for big bucks.
(I know what you're thinking, but I said VIRTUALLY anything.) America
was cigar crazy during that time.
COMPLEXITY
The layers and combination of flavors, whether
full or delicate, that contribute to a pleasurable smoke. Complex
cigars display several different flavors or nuances that make the cigar
take on depth and make it an interesting smoke. Complexity is more
common in cigars that are blended medium to medium-full in BODY and STRENGTH.
Below: Seasoning (Conditioning) a Travel Humidor
CONDITION/CONDITIONING
(Preparing a new humidor to receive cigars. See SEASON/SEASONING)
CUT
FILLER
Filler tobacco consisting of chopped pieces most
common in machine-made cigars. See also SHORT
FILLER.
DISTILLED
WATER
H2O that is free of minerals. Keeps your humidifying
device and the Spanish cedar wood lining of your box healthy, as it
leaves no mineral deposits when it evaporates. Tap water or even filtered
water contains dissolved minerals that will eventually clog the pores
in the humidifier and wood.
DRAW
The flow of smoke through a cigar. It can be too
easy (HOT) or too tight (PLUGGED).
A good draw should be mostly effortless with just a hint of resistance.
ELECTRONIC
HUMIDIFIERS
Powered by electrical current, these humidifiers
usually are made up of a fluid tank for water, a wicking element and
a fan. When the HUMIDITY of your humidor falls
below a preset value, the HYGROSTAT will power
up the electronic humidifier to increase humidity. Also called "active"
humidifiers.
FILLER
The tobacco that makes up the center of the cigar, covered by the binder
and then the wrapper. There are two main types of filler, short
filler that is found in lower cost cigars and long filler that
is used in premium cigars. See also LONG
FILLER.
FLAVOR
Our perception of the taste and smell of a cigar
taste of the cigar when smoked. Full flavored cigars have distinct
and easily perceived flavors, while mild flavored cigars are subtly
and delicately flavored. Descriptors like "bittersweet," "charred
oak," or "barnyard," are descriptions of either aroma
or taste or both. See also BODY and STRENGTH.
GREEN
A cigar that has not been aged sufficiently after
construction. It can also refer to the tobacco that is not properly
fermented. Thus any cigar that you buy that has not been cured, fermented
or aged sufficiently is “green” and will benefit if laid
down for at least a few weeks in a proper environment.
HANDMADE [Spanish HECHO
A MANO]
A cigar that is made by hand, but that have a
machine-bunched filler. See LIEBERMAN
MACHINE.
HAND-ROLLED [Spanish TOTALMENTE
A MANO]
A cigar made entirely by human hands with high quality wrapper and
long filler.
HARDWARE
In a humidor, hardware refers mainly to hinges, but can include mortise,
locks, keys, latches, lid supports and other metal parts. Hinges
receive heavy use over time and need to be of high quality and
sized appropriate to the heft of the box. Most high-quality humidor
hinges are made from solid brass and often coated with protective "gold
tinted" lacquer. This coating assures that your hinges will
stay lustrous and beautiful for years.
HOMEOSTASIS
= CONSTANT INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
The inside of a cigar humidor
must preserve an environment much like the one where the cigar tobacco
came from. This is typically warm and moist. Thus, a humidor must be
able to keep a consistently warm, moist environment. Temperature should
be kept at approximately 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity
should also be kept at about 65-70%.
HOMOGENIZED
TOBACCO
Homogenized
tobacco is pulverized and mixed with fibers, pure cellulose, and
water to create a pulp. The pulp is used to produce a uniform sheet
of tobacco. The sheet is then used for the high-speed production
of machine made cigars. Homogenized wrappers mainly are used with SHORT
FILLER tobacco, the lower quality scraps left over from tobacco
products. This having been said, homogenized tobacco is synonymous
with cheap cigars that will not benefit from aging. Though many machine-made
cigars are palatable, they are certainly not the great cigars that
commend collection, storing, aging, and the enjoyment that only a
fine cigar can bring.
HOT
A cigar which has a quick, loose draw. This is caused by the cigar
being under filled or poorly wrapped. It is usually accompanied
by harsh flavors.
HUMIDIFIER
A device that is placed inside a humidor to emit moisture into the
air and wood of the humidor. These can come in two types. The
first type is a MECHANICAL HUMIDIFIER (also
called a passive humidifier), which is usually a piece of sponge,
foam, polymer or crystal, that is placed into a humidifying cassette
made of plastic or metal and placed into the humidor. A second
type, an ELECTRONIC HUMIDIFIER,
consists of a moisture holding tank, a wicking element and a
fan. Coupled with a HYGROSTAT, the electronic
humidifier automatically turns on when humidity falls below a
preset level.
HUMIDITY
(i.e., relative humidity or RH%)
The
relative percentage of moisture in the air within
a humidor.
In a humidor, the humidity should be between 65-70%.
HUMIDOR
A box (but actually an environment), that can vary in size from a desktop
type to a walk in cabinet, used to store or age cigars. Like
a wine cellar, the humidor is fitted with devices to control
and/or measure TEMPERATURE and HUMIDITY.
The ideal environment should be approximately 65-70°F and
65-70% relative humidity.
HUMIDOR
ACCESSORIES
Items that you add to your humidor to keep it functioning optimally.
(See also ACCESSORIES)
HYGRO
See HYGROMETER.
HYGROMETER
A device that records the
relative percentage HUMIDITY (and sometimes
the temperature) of the air inside your humidor. Hygrometers can be
analog or digital. Analog hygrometers are generally less reliable (+
or - 10%), while digital are more reliable (+ or - 5%).
HYGROSTAT
A hygrostat controls HUMIDITY in
the same way a thermostat controls temperature in your home. As soon
as humidity falls to lower than acceptable levels, the hygrostat detects
it and sends out a signal to the electronic humidifier, which starts
operating. Air is drawn from openings provided in the unit and channeled
into a water cartridge where it is humidified and drawn through the
wick system and exhausted into the humidor. When the humidity in the
cigar-storage area returns to normal, the hygrostat sends out another
signal, and the ventilator stops.
JOINERY
Refers to the fit of the wooden components of a cigar HUMIDOR.
More specifically, joinery can refer to the joints that connect the
walls of the humidor and the quality of the seal or fit. The joints
of a quality humidor must be strong to withstand the test of time. "Box," "Dovetail," and
"Tongue and Groove" are common joinery techniques used in
humidors. The important thing is the the joints are precise and true.
LONG
FILLER
Whole tobacco leaves selected and rolled by hand to create an ideal DRAW of
smoke. The leaves are positioned to run the length of the cigar,
thereby creating channels through which the smoke can flow. Long
filler will usually hold an ash longer than short filler
LIEBERMAN
MACHINE
The lieberman machine was developed to increase productivity by helping
boncheros to make a more consistent bunch. With the use of this machine,
less experienced boncheros could be more easily trained
and progress more quickly in their expertise of crafting a good "bunch." See
video below.
MACHINE
MADE
Cigars made entirely by machine. Heavier weight BINDERS and
wrappers than those in hand made cigars are generally used and cut-
or short-filler is used in place of long filler.
MARRYING
Blending of the oleoresins and
moisture levels within the tobacco of a cigar. This occurs within a
cigar as the oleoresins in the filler, binder and wrapper tobaccos
mix and blend as they are allowed to age in a humidor for a period
of time. The moisture levels across the filler, binder and wrapper
also reach an equilibrium, helping the cigar to burn more evenly. Marrying
occurs within a single cigar, but can also occur across cigars that
are stored in direct contact with one another within a humidor; the
tobacco's essential oils and flavors mix through direct contact. Obviously,
the cigars must have their cellophane wrappers removed for the marrying
process to occur across cigars in a batch. Marrying produces
a cigar with a consistent flavor and burn.
MECHANICAL
(PASSIVE) HUMIDIFIERS
A passive humidifier usually consists of a type of foam, sponge or
crystals that you soak with water. When placed in a plastic or metal
cassette, the humidifier emits moisture into the air of your humidor.
MOLD
Patchy, fuzzy growth that develops on cigars stored in conditions that
are too damp. Mold can be white or green and can
grow on the wrapper or appear at the foot of the cigar. It is
usually distinguished by its three-dimensional appearance. When
mold appears on your cigars, you should wipe them off carefully
and remove them from the humidor until optimal conditions are
restored. Mold often is created by an oversaturated humidifier,
so you should check the humidifier for signs of mold and either
replace it, or allow it to air dry. Use a mold-resistant WETTING
SOLUTION.
NON-CHEMICAL
TREATED FOAM
Foam is often used inside of travel humidors to pretect the cigars
and insulate them from temperature and humidity changes. Sometimes
packing foam will be treated with different chemicals. If you use this
type of foam in a travel humidor, it will impart a nasty flavor to
your stogies and probably ruin them. If you purchase foam for a do-it-yourself
humidor, ask your vendor whether it is chemically treated, or better,
take a whiff. You will probably be able to smell the chemicals. Camera
case foam is normally not chemically treated.
PASSIVE
HUMIDIFIER
See MECHANICAL
HUMIDIFIER. See also HUMIDIFIER.
PLUG
A tight spot in a cigar that prevents a proper draw.
PLUME
See BLOOM.
PREMIUM
CIGAR
A high grade cigar made by hand, usually from 100% tobacco long leaf
filler.
PROPYLENE
GLYCOL (PG)
A compound that mixes completely and evenly with water and dissolves
in many essential oils. It is used in the humidification of tobacco
products. Usually DISTILLED WATER is
mixed with propylene glycol to preserve the HUMIDITY in
the HUMIDOR. Propylene Glycol does not evaporate
as quickly as water and, thus, needs to be added less frequently.
Often, WETTING SOLUTIONS will contain
a mixture of Propylene Glycol and water. Over time, your HUMIDIFIER may
become saturated with Propylene Glycol and may need to be rinsed
thoroughly or changed.
PURO
A cigar whose filler, binder and wrapper come from the same country.
RE-HUMIDIFY
The process of reconstituting, or rehabilitating, a dried-out stogie
slowly in a proper humidor environment.
RELATIVE
HUMIDITY
Concentration of water vapor in the air. It is expressed as the ratio
of the partial pressure of the water vapor to its saturated vapor
pressure at the same temperature. The higher the temperature, the
higher the saturated vapor pressure. See also HUMIDITY.
RING
GAUGE
The diameter of a cigar is referred to as the ring gauge. It is a
measurement equal to 1/64 of an inch. A 64 ring gauge would be one
inch in thickness and a 32 ring gauge would be 1/2 inch thick.
ROLLER
Highly skilled artisans who apply the wrapper to the tobacco bunch
used to make a cigar. See also TORCEDOR.
SEASON/SEASONING
When you purchase a new HUMIDOR, you will need
to prepare it to receive your smokes. This is called "seasoning" or "conditioning" your
humidor. Basically, it means that you need to put a HUMIDIFIER in
the box and allow a few days for the inner box to soak up enough water
to maintain HOMEOSTASIS. For more details,
listen to Stogie Fresh 5 podcast #9: How to Season a Humidor.
Below: Cabinet sealing material
SEALING
MATERIAL
In a cabinet humidor, you need to have a strip of material
that is used to seal the door and prevent air escaping from the cabinet
(see photo at left). Often, a rubberized weather stripping is used.
SHORT
FILLER
Chopped scraps of leaves sometimes used in hand made, but more likely
in machine-made, cigars. Short filler tobacco burns hotter and quicker
than LONG FILLER, but can otherwise be
quite good, depending on the quality of the tobacco.
Spanish cedar is a member of the Mahogany family. It is a slightly aromatic wood with properties that make it ideally suited as a humidor liner. Spanish cedar is moderately porous and has the ability to absorb excess moisture and release that moisture as needed to keep humidity levels constant.
STRENGTH
Strength is the combined affect of the tobacco chemicals on our
internal systems. It is not uncommon to feel strength in your gut or
in your head if a cigar is strong. The intensity of your reaction to
the cigar chemicals (i.e., "rush," nicotine hit," "woozy
feeling," etc.), will determine how strong a cigar is for you.
TEMPERATURE
Tobacco is grown in a tropical climate, which is humid and warm. Thus,
cigars should be stored in a warm, moist environment. Though
cigars can be kept cooler or hotter temporarily, it is best to
keep a consistent temperature of around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit
(21 degrees Celsius) in your humidor. You can use a digital HYGROMETER to
record both humidity and temperature.
TOBACCO
BEETLES
Also called Cigar Beetles or Tobacco Weevils. Insects that chew small,
rounded holes through tobacco leaves, resulting in tiny holes throughout.
These beetles are sensitive to temperature and will activate when
your cigars, even your primo sticks, are maintained at temperatures
of 75-80 degrees. Besides the appearance of tiny holes in the wrapper
of your cigars, a fine brown dust may be found inside your HUMIDOR.
Though not found on all tobacco, the critters are nearly imperceptible.
If you find evidence of tobacco beetles, separate that box from the
rest of your cigars, or if sticks are placed individually in your
box, isolate the cigars in that divider space from other cigars in
humidor. Remove the offending sticks and get rid of them. For more
information, listen to Stogie Fresh 5 podcast #11: Tobacco Beetles.
TOOTHY
The small oil-filled pockets common to sun-grown, Sumatra-seed wrapper
and Cameroon wrappers. The pockets present themselves as small
bumps, which texture the wrapper on a cigar. You can feel little "mountains
and valleys" when you pass your fingers over the surface.
A toothy wrapper is generally a well aged and oily wrapper.
TORCEDOR
Spanish for cigar roller. This
is a title earned by those who have achieved a high level of
success at this difficult artisanal craft. See also ROLLER.
VINTAGE
CIGARS
The idea of the vintage
cigar is an elusive target since there is no standard or general agreement
about what the term means. Though there is no standard definition of
what constitutes a vintage cigar, the term generally applies to cigars
whose tobaccos have been aged for an extended time period. In some
cases it is just the outer wrapper that has been aged, in other cases
the aged tobacco includes the binder and filler tobacco. Manufacturers
have different ideas on how to define the aging of their tobacco. Some
say it's the year that the wrapper was grown, while others say it refers
to the year the binder and filler was grown. Vintage cigar tobacco
is often aged longer before appearing on the market, though some manufacturers
will put the vintage date on the label, others will not. This makes
for real difficulty when trying to select an aged cigar to be purchased.
WETTING
SOLUTION
A liquid solution that is used in a HUMIDIFIER to
keep up the moisture levels in a HUMIDOR.
Usually, the wetting solution is made up of PROPYLENE GLYCOL and
distilled water. The wetting solution evaporates slowly and inhibits
the growth of MOLD.
WRAPPER
A wrapper leaf is the outer wrapping of the cigar. The wrapper is,
in many ways, the most important part of a cigar. It is the first
thing that a consumer will look at to judge the quality of a
cigar. The wrapper is expensive, costing $40 to $45 per pound,
compared to $4 to $5 per pound for binder and filler tobacco.
See also BINDER and FILLER.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z