Fermentation -
First, large bulk piles of tobacco leaves are gathered after
the harvest.These leaves of tobacco are provided moisture and
then allowed to ferment.The temperature inside the bulk of tobacco
will naturally reach up to 140° before it is taken apart and
restacked, temporarily halting the fermentation process but providing
for an even and higher quality fermentation.This process is commonly
known as " working the bulk", and also releases the ammonia from
tobacco.
Figurado -
This Spanish word refers to cigars with fancy sizes, such
as torpedos, pyramids, perfectos, and culebras.
Filler -
Individual tobacco leaves used in a cigar's body. A pile of this
tobacco is called the or a bunch.
Filler - Blended
tobacco that forms the inner bunch of the cigar. High-grade
cigars are
made with long fillers, or whole leaves running the length of
the cigar, which are hand-rolled. Low-grade cigars use short
fillers, or scraps of
lesser quality tobaccos, which are fed into a machine.
Flag -
An alternative to a cap.The flag method of finishing a cigar
is shaping the wrapper leaf at the head of the cigar so it secures
the wrapper. Sometimes
it is tied off in a pigtail or a curly head.
Foot -The
end of the cigar you light. Most often it is pre-cut, except
in the case of torpedos and perfectos. The Nat Sherman Navigator
is also has a non pre-cut foot of the cigar. It is possible to
light a uncut foot of a cigar surprisingly and emits a bit of
a shooting flame as you light it. Try a Nat Sherman Navigator
to see what I'm talking about.
Gum -
A vegetable based substance like a gum used to secure
the head of the wrapper leaf around the finished binder over
the bunch.
Hand -
Individual leaves of tobacco that are hung together
after harvest and tied at the top. These hands are piled together
to make a bulk for
fermentation.
Hand-Rolled -
A cigar made with no use of an automated machine of any sort.
Havana -The
capital of Cuba. A traditional center for manufacturing Cuban
cigars for export, and a term widely used to verbally or in writing
label Cuban cigars. Also refers to the tobacco
types grown from Cuban seed in the Dominican Republic, Honduras,
Nicaragua, and in any other country.
Head -
The closed end of the cigar; the end you draw from.
Hot -Term
to describe a cigar that is under-filled and has a fast,
loose draw. This flaw in a cigar can cause off flavors.
Humidor -Room,
box, case, or cabinet of varying sizes, designed to preserve
and promote the proper aging of cigars by maintaining a humidity
level of 70% and a temperature of approximately 65-70°F.
Jade -Claro
wrapper, as labeled by a certain manufacturer.
