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25 September 2015

3 Things You Didn

Whether you are a novice or an experienced cigar smoker, there are always a few things you can learn from how a cigar is made to how to rehydrate a cigar that has dried out.

Casing the Cigar

When a bale of tobacco is brought to the factory, the tobacco leaves are broken out of the bale and cased. This procedure differs from factory to factory, but typically this is the standard procedure. Manufacturers that are very precise have devised sophisticated systems using special rooms with high humidity or fine mists of water.

On the other hand, cigarmakers allow workers to hold their thumb over the end of a hose and douse the leaves. This process is called ‘casing’ and typically takes place between the warehouse and the rolling room.

When is it time to stop aging?

Generally, strong cigars age much better than mild cigars because they retain flavour longer. In addition, they mellow and become smoother which is a process called ‘rounding’. Another general rule of thumb is that thick cigars age better than thin cigars such as Coronas and Lonsdales.

The only way to ensure your cigars do not pass their prime in your humidor is to periodically test them. To do this, lay down a box and smoke one at regular intervals, nothing improvements. Once they reach the strength and roundness your desire, they have aged long enough.

Is all cigar tobacco picked leaf-by-leaf?

The answer is simple; no. The majority of cigar tobacco is primed, picked two or three leaves at a time starting at the bottom of the plant. There are a few varieties such as Connecticut broadleaf and Mexican San Andres Negro, which are stalk-cut. During the stalk-cutting process, the entire plant is cut. The plants are allowed to wilt, before being speared on lathes that are tipped with sharp spearheads.

The stalks are pierced by the stalks and hold the tobacco plant in place. They are then hung upside down in tobacco curing barns and allowed to cure. This allows the tobacco to live off the stalk and is a longer curing process than the one for primed tobacco.