Naturally, not every cigar you smoke will give you the same familiar
sensation. There are many different varieties, and it takes time to
develop your cigar palate. Cigars vary, just like anything else, but it
is the unique cigar construction that sets it apart and gives it a
distinct flavor and aroma.
First, cigars are assembled with three different components "�" the
wrapper, the filler and the tobacco.
The wrapper is the outside layer of the cigar. As its name implies, it
contains the contents of the cigar in a tight womb, binding it together.
The wrapper is usually made of the larger and lower pieces of the
tobacco plant. There are different kinds of wrappers, each with unique
traits. This is the part of the cigar that will determine the taste and
flavor of your smoke, depending on what color its exterior is.
The main colors of a wrapper range from Double Claro, Claro, Colorado
Claro, and Colorado Manduro, Natural, Maduro, and Oscuro.
Double Claro is the lightest of the wrappers. It is usually a slightly
green color and is often times grown in Connecticut and picked before it
reaches full potential. Claro is a yellowish or beige tan, which
indicates the tobacco has been shade-grown. Shade-grown means that the
tobacco has been grown under a shelter of muslin nets that protect the
plant from direct sunlight.
Colorado Claro is a mid-brown color. Often times, this color wrapper
indicates a relation with Cuban and Dominican Republic-grown tobacco.
Natural is just that "�" natural. The tobacco has been sun-grown and is a
light brown shade. On the other hand, Maduro-shaded wrappers are
usually a dark brown to a very dark brown color.
The darkest shade, Oscuro, is often dubbed as "��Double Maduro."��
Oscuro wrappers have a black, oily appearance and usually originate from
Cuba, Connecticut, Mexico, Nicaragua and Brazil.
The filler describes the inner contents of a cigar. The contents include
small bunches of leaves. The last piece of the puzzle is the binder,
the leaves that are used to wrap the fillers together. These leaves
usually have holes or a discolored hue to them and are made of the same
leaves as the wrappers.
Aside from a cigar"��s contents, they also differ in size and shape.
Depending on what kind of cigars you enjoy, you may prefer a large ring
gauge over the skinnier gauge. A cigar"��s size is represented by its
ring gauge, which is its diameter in 64th of an inch, or by its length
in inches. The reason the gauge size matters is because it will often
times considerably affect the cigar"��s flavor and richness. However,
even though the length of a cigar will not dictate its taste, the more
lengthy your cigar is, the cooler and more relaxing your smoke will be.
Lastly, cigars are categorized by their shape. The shape of a cigar
varies, considerably as they are constructed in different regions all
over the world with distinct rolling methods. As important as the shape
of a cigar is, it does not predict the taste of the cigar. The different
cigar shapes include parejo, pyramid, torpedo, perfecto, and
presidente. Pyramid, torpedo, perfecto and presidente are considered
irregular shapes, which are referred to as Figurados. A figurado is a
cigar of higher quality and worth because it is harder to create.
Parejo is the most popular and common cigar shape. It is a straight
cigar with a round cap. The pyramid shape has a wide foot with a narrow
body and a softer, pointy cap. The torpedo has a shape most like a
bullet or an arrow. Its foot starts off narrow, with a thicker body and
pointy cap.
The perfecto shape has a very narrow foot with a pear-shape body and
pointy cap.
Presidente shapes feature a fancy foot, where a thin piece sticks out
farther than the rest of the cigar. The rest of the shape looks similar
to the Torpedo, only a little smaller.
Culebras and Tuscanians are other Figurados. The Culebras consists of
three straight and long cigars that are mutually braided. The Tuscanian
is an Italian cigar is has a long and thin body that usually has a wider
body. Another variety of a cigar is the Little Cigar, which look
similar to cigarettes and include filters.
Cigars vary just like many other things in life. A cigar"��s interior is
just as important as its exterior. There are so many different kinds of
cigars, with each differing in size and shape to gauge and filler. It
is a treasure with the possibility to be vintage or mainstream,
depending on which cigar is best for you. Take the time to explore your
many cigar options.