I thought it would be a good idea this month to give you some basic info on the difference in cigar types etc. Hopefully this information will come in handy for you down the road.

 

Difference between handmade and filler cigars

Handmade: Consists of long tobacco leaves, a binder, and a wrapper. They are rolled together manually to make cigars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Machine made: Consists of shorter chopped-up pieces of tobacco, and inserted into the wrapper. The wrapper will have a more paper-like appearance and they are produced in different flavors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flavors

As far as flavors go, cigars are very similar to wine! There are varieties that are “full-bodied” as well as “medium-bodied”. Depending on what type of wrapper and tobacco is used, the cigar can have a distinct mouth-feel and be completely different than another cigar. It is debatable whether a darker colored cigar always means that it will be stronger or heavier, but generally means that the tobacco used has cured longer than lighter ones.

 

Finish

Just like wine, a cigar has a finish. Basically the taste that is left behind after smoking it. Some are very strong and will leave a flavor in your mouth for days. Others will be more tame and mild, and will not affect your taste buds very severely. When you get that crank-mouth taste, try a small bottle of o.j. to get rid of it.

 

 

 

Get out there, pick up some stogies and some wine and do your own research!

Handmade cigars with long leaves used in the wrapper

Machine made cigars with chopped tobacco in the wrapper.

Photo courtesy of world wide web