Cigar glossary

All the terms of the cigar world in the cigar glossary.

Cutter

Small, guillotine-like tool used to cut off the "head" of the cigar at the end of the mouth to open it up for smoking. In the absence of a cutter - and to demonstrate that they are tough guys - the cowboys in old western films simply bite the tip off their cigars.

Accessories

In the context of cigars, this refers to items such as Ashtrays, cutters, drills, matches and cases.

Aficionada

Cigar lover, female cigar fan

Aficionado

Cigar lover, male cigar fan

Lighting

A wide variety of (kindling) woods and lighters can be used to light a cigar. Many aficionados use the cedar wood that is found in many cigar boxes. For reasons of flavour, however, a petrol lighter is an absolute no-go.

Anilla (belly band)

Cuban term for the cigar's belly band (in Spain: vitola).

Aporque (soil pile)

Soil is piled up at the base of the tobacco plant to promote vigorous plant growth. Flavour

protection bag

A flavour protection bag is a packaging for cigars to slow down drying out and ensure short transport times.

Belt tobacco

Ground tobacco is mixed with binders and rolled out on a steel belt to form belt tobacco. The result is an endless ribbon of tobacco, which is usually used as a wrapper for machine-made cigars and cigarillos. Ribbon tobacco consists of around 95 per cent tobacco, delivers consistent flavour quality and ensures even burning.

Belly band

Paper ring that almost every cigar carries. The inventor of the belly band - also known as the cigar ring - was Gustav Bock Müller. At that time, the cigar ring was used to protect the white gloves of aristocrats from brown tobacco discolouration. Nowadays, the belly band is the calling card of every cigar.

Besuki

Famous tobacco-growing district in -> Java/Indonesia Binder Wrapper. It holds the filler together (blend).

Blend

Filler mixture. It normally consists of different types of tobacco.

Bonche (wrapper, chrysalis)

Cylindrical wrapper that is created when the filler is wrapped (rolled in) with the binder.

Drill

Device for drilling holes in the cigar head in the longitudinal direction. The advantage of drilling a cigar is that no tobacco residue gets into the mouth. Cigar drills are differentiated according to the diameter of the blade. The diameter is normally between 6 and 12 mm. The diameter should always be selected to match the cigar.

Boquilla (foot)

Side of the cigar that is lit.

Brazil

Brazilian tobacco is one of the best tobaccos in the world. The fully aromatic, sweet Mata Fina tobacco leaves are given their characteristic dark brown colour by a unique drying process. Because of this colour, cigars from Brazil are often mistakenly assumed to be particularly strong. The opposite is the case: Brazilian tobacco surprises with a gentle, slightly sweet flavour that is also full of temperament and spice. It almost seems as if the character of the ever-smiling, friendly and spirited inhabitants of Brazil has rubbed off on the tobacco. With the "Tobajara Brasil", Villiger has one of the rare Brazilian puros in its range that is made from 100 per cent Brazilian tobacco

.Bunch

Wrap

Bundle

Cigar bundle wrapped in cellophane, inexpensive sales packaging. Bünde

(cigar city)

The Westphalian town of Bünde is the historic "cigar city" of Germany. And of course Villiger Söhne GmbH is also represented here with a cigar factory. In 1970, the Villiger Group took over the Bünde-based tobacco company Rudolf Holzapfel. In 1982, Villiger then built a new, modern production facility in the Dünne district, which today employs almost 300 people.

Capa

The outer visible leaf of the cigar. Covers the binder leaf (which in turn contains the filler).

Capote (binder leaf)

The leaf into which the filler is wrapped (see wrapper). Normally the longest leaf of the plant (volado) from the lower part is used for this.

Casa de Tabaco (tobacco house)

Drying barn in which the traditional air-drying of the tobacco leaves in the tobacco plantations takes place

Casa del Habano

The Casa del Habano is a franchise company of Corporación Habanos s.a in Cuba. The Casas not only guarantee the aficionado the authenticity of the products, stored under perfect conditions, but also offer a complete range of Habanos brands and formats. The Casas source their products (except in Cuba, where Habanos S.A. naturally supplies the Casas directly) via the respective exclusive importers of the countries.

Casquillo (wrapper)

Cylindrical element used to cut a small round piece out of the wrapper leaf to form the cigar head.

Catadores (tasters)

Those who taste the cigars every day in the factories. Cedros

(cedar wood)

Cedar wood used to wrap cigars. It is also used as a divider between layers of cigars in the box. Cepo

(measuring gauge)

Measuring tool used to check the length and diameter of a finished cigar. Also synonymous with the diameter (ring gauge) of a cigar.

Chaveta (cutter)

A semicircular knife used by cigar rollers.

Churchill

Cigar format, length: 170 mm, diameter: 17 - 19 mm, ring gauge 47 The Churchill format (named after the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a passionate cigar smoker) combines length and a large diameter. For a long time, it was produced by the companies Alfred Dunhill (London) in cooperation with Romeo y Julieta (Havana/Cuba) especially for the British Prime Minister with a personalised belly band. Today, however, the term "Churchill" is used by manufacturers and retailers both as a brand name for very specific cigars and, to the confusion of some consumers, as a general term for this format. The correct name for the very popular format is "Julieta 2" and high-quality tobaccos develop their full flavour as a Churchill cigar. The smoking time is up to 90 minutes. Cigarillo Small cigar cut straight at the burn and mouth end. (But be careful when travelling to Spanish-speaking countries: in Spanish, the word cigarillo refers to a cigarette!)

Claro

The colour of a light brown wrapper.

Colorado

The colour of a maroon wrapper. There is also COLORADO CLARO (medium chestnut brown) and COLORADO MADURO (dark chestnut brown).

Connecticut

Wrapper leaf from the "Connecticut Shade River Valley" growing region (USA), grown under shade tents.

Connecticut Wrapper

Wrapper leaf from Connecticut (US state)

Cortaperillas (cutter for the mouthpiece)

Name of the instrument used to cut the side of the cigar (perilla) that is brought to the mouth.

Corona

Cigar format characterised by a closed mouth end and a cylindrical basic shape. Length: 140 mm, diameter: 15 - 17 mm.

Cuban Seed

Use of Cuban seed in other growing countries.

Cuje (stick, crop)

Stick over which the leaves are threaded in pairs and then hung up to dry in the tobacco house. Culebra Culebra means "snake" in Spanish. Three cigars are usually braided into a pigtail while still moist.

Curación (drying)

Drying process to which the leaves are subjected in the tobacco house. Cutter This is probably the most popular method of cutting a cigar. The cutter is available with one or two blades. It is normally used with the thumb and forefinger.

Wrapper

The outer leaf of a cigar in which the wrapper is wrapped. The wrapper leaf is usually rolled in a spiral from the end of the burn to the end of the mouth, where it is glued with tragacanth. The wrapper leaf is of great importance, as it contributes up to 60 per cent of the flavour and therefore has a decisive influence on the taste of the cigar. In addition, the colour, structure and aroma of the wrapper determine the first impression the cigar makes on the aficionado. This is why manufacturers of high-quality cigars attach great importance to flawless wrapper leaves of the finest origin.

Germany

Tobacco has also been grown in Germany for over 400 years. However, German tobacco has always played a subordinate role on the world market. This is because the Central European climate is marginal for the heat-loving tobacco plant. Nevertheless, tobaccos from Germany are of good quality and impress with their flavour and good burn. The dark German cigar tobacco - such as the "Badische Geudertheimer" and the "Friedrichstaler" - is characterised by a low nicotine content and a mild flavour and is used as a filler or binder in cigar production. The few remaining cultivation areas are located in Baden, the Southern Palatinate and in the Uckermark.

Dominican Republic

Its tropical climate makes the Dominican Republic not only a popular Caribbean holiday destination, but also an ideal place for growing tobacco and cigars from the Dominican Republic. Here, on the island of Hispaniola, which lies between the Atlantic and the Caribbean and which the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti, the mild but richly flavoured Domingo tobaccos grow. The best-known growing region is the Cibao Valley in the north-west. The mountains protect the tobacco fields from the Caribbean storms and the clouds shield them from the Caribbean sun. Abundant rainfall ensures the ideal humidity. The three main Dominican varieties for the filler and binder: Olor Dominicano, Piloto and San Vicente. Many Villiger cigars contain Domingo tobaccos, including the "Villiger 1888", the "Bock y Ca", the "Dominico" and the "1492".

Double Corona

Cigar format. Length: 190 mm, diameter: 20 mm.

Wrapper

The outer leaf of a cigar in which the wrapper is wrapped. The wrapper is usually rolled in a spiral from the end of the burn to the end of the mouth, where it is glued with tragacanth. The wrapper leaf is of great importance, as it contributes up to 60 per cent of the flavour and therefore has a decisive influence on the taste of the cigar. In addition, the colour, structure and aroma of the wrapper determine the first impression the cigar makes on the aficionado. This is why manufacturers of high-quality cigars attach great importance to flawless wrapper leaves of the finest origin.

Germany

Tobacco has also been grown in Germany for over 400 years. However, German tobacco has always played a subordinate role on the world market. This is because the Central European climate is marginal for the heat-loving tobacco plant. Nevertheless, tobaccos from Germany are of good quality and impress with their flavour and good burn. The dark German cigar tobacco - such as the "Badische Geudertheimer" and the "Friedrichstaler" - is characterised by a low nicotine content and a mild flavour and is used as a filler or binder in cigar production. The few remaining cultivation areas are located in Baden, the Southern Palatinate and in the Uckermark.

Desbotonar (removal of buds)

Work step in which the upper buds of the plant are removed in order to concentrate the energy on the development of the other leaves.

Deshije (removal of shoots)

Removal of the side shoots in order to restrict the growth of the plant to the leaves that have already developed.

Despalilladoras (stripping workers)

Workers who carry out the stripping of the outer and inner leaves (in leaf vein removal) and the bracts (in the factories).

Despalillo (stripping)

Workplace where the lower parts of the central veins of the selected outer and inner leaves are removed. This is also where the second fermentation takes place.

Double Corona

Cigar format. Length: 190 mm, diameter: 20 mm.

Ecuador

The wrapper leaves from Ecuador are strikingly beautiful: light and elastic, with a soft lustre, they give cigars from Ecuador a seductive skin. They owe their even beauty to the location of their country of origin in the north-west of South America. Ecuador is not only located on the equator, as the name suggests, but also at the foot of the Andes. The clouds that accumulate in front of the mountains form a natural protective shield against excessive solar radiation. At the same time, however, there is enough warmth and rain to ensure that the tobacco plants thrive. Ecuadorian tobacco farmers are well paid for the beauty of their wrapper leaves.

Filler

Core of the cigar. Mixture of leaf halves or leaf parts of different varieties or provenances. For long-fillers, the filler usually consists of three types of tobacco and up to five filler leaves.

Ensarte (threading)

The harvested leaves are threaded onto a string, placed on wooden sticks and hung next to each other in the drying barn for traditional air-drying.

Escaparate (curing room)

A special storage room in the factories where the cigars are stored at a temperature of 16 to 18ºC and a humidity of 65 to 70 per cent in order to complete their maturation.

Escogida (selection)

Workplace where the leaves are selected as wrapper, filler and binder leaves. This is also where the first fermentation takes place.

Especial

Cigar format. Length: 235 - 240 mm, diameter: 19 mm.

Fermentation

Fermentation process in which the protein and nicotine content of the raw tobacco is reduced and the typical flavouring substances are developed.

Lighter

Gas lighters - in addition to matches - are ideal for lighting cigars, as they are neutral in taste. See Jetflame.

Figurado

Cigar format. The body of this cigar does not have an even cylindrical shape, instead its ring gauge varies from start to finish. The head of the cigar is tapered; in the so-called "double figurado", the cigar is tapered at both ends.

Filler Filler of the cigar. The mixture of tobaccos is called a blend.

Format

The "format" refers to the shape and size of the cigar. The length (L) and diameter (ø) of a cigar interact to have a major influence on the flavour and burning properties.

Fortaleza (strength)

Term for time spans. Fortaleza 1, 2 and 3 are also synonyms for the Volado, Seco and Ligero filler specifications

Galera (production site)

Production site in the factory where the cigars are made by hand.

Gavilla

(bundle)

Bundle of assorted leaves; tied together to make them easier to handle.

Goma

(glue)

Natural odourless and tasteless glue used by cigar rollers to attach the cap to a cigar.

Gran Corona

Cigar format. Length: 140 - 150 mm, diameter: 16 - 19 mm.

Gran Panetela

Cigar format. Length: 190 mm, diameter: 15 mm

http

Homogenised tobacco paper, see ribbon tobacco

Habano

Protected original designation that guarantees the origin and production process of the best cigars from Cuba.

Habanos SA, Corporación

Export company headquartered in Havana, which markets Cuban tobacco products worldwide.

Habanos Specialist

In addition to the Casas del Habano, since the end of 2007 there has been a new brand in Switzerland for specialist tobacco shops that bear the title "Habanos Specialist" due to their range, expertise and passion for Habanos. This concept is supported by INTERTABAK AG, the official and exclusive importer of Habanos in Switzerland Habilitaciónes

(decoration)

Decorations used to decorate traditional Havana cigar boxes.

Hand rolled

cigar Cigar in which the wrapper is applied by hand but the binder is machine-made.

Handmade cigar

Cigar made entirely by hand

Havana

Capital of Cuba, known as "La Habana" in Spanish; protected term for cigars from Cuba.

Hecho a mano

"Made by hand". However, this term is somewhat misleading, as it refers to cigars that are only partially handmade. For example, "hecho a mano" refers to cigars whose machine-made cigar wrapper has been rolled by hand (hand rolled cigar), or even completely machine-made cigars that have only been wrapped by hand (envuelto a mano). Only the term "Hecho totalmente a mano" stands for a cigar made entirely by hand, corresponding to the English term "handmade cigar". Honduras Densely forested mountains, lush green valleys: Honduras is home to the largest contiguous rainforest area in Central America. A mountainous central massif dominates the country, and the north-east trade winds ensure regular rainfall and warm, humid air. These are ideal conditions for growing tobacco, which is why many exiled Cuban tobacco farmers moved to Honduras with the aim of building a new livelihood here. And they were successful: Honduran tobacco is regarded as the happy medium between the subtle Dominican and heavy Cuban tobaccos. The result is fine cigars from Honduras

.humidor

This is a room, cabinet or box kept at a constant humidity for the correct storage of cigars. A temperature of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius and a relative humidity of 65 to 75 per cent is ideal for cigars. If cigars have previously been very dry, the humidity can be increased for a short period.

Indonesia

See Java and Sumatra (Indonesia)

Inhaling

Inhaling smoke in the same way as when smoking cigarettes. However, inhalation is avoided when smoking cigars. Anyone who has accidentally inhaled cigar smoke knows why.

Italy

Alongside France, Italy is the most important European tobacco location. However, as in the rest of Europe, the climate in Italy is not ideal for growing tobacco: although the country can offer the tropical plant warmth, it tends to be too dry. Incidentally, the clergy are responsible for the introduction of tobacco in Italy: Cardinal Santa Croce was the Pope's ambassador to the Portuguese court in the 16th century. On his return to Rome, he brought tobacco seeds with him as a royal gift for Pope Pius IV, who gave them to the Cistercian monks. They initially only cultivated the tobacco plants as a remedy. It was only later that they discovered tobacco as a stimulant: they ground up dried leaves and snorted them

Java

The soils of the tobacco fields on the Indonesian island of Java are also of volcanic origin, but the climate is less warm and humid than on Sumatra. Although tobaccos from Java do not achieve the wrapper quality of Sumatra tobacco, they provide excellent binder leaves and popular filler tobacco. The slightly nutty-tasting Vorstenlanden and earthy Besuki tobaccos from Java are milder, more harmonious and lighter than their more aromatic and stronger relatives from Sumatra. They are always used when a tobacco composition needs to provide a counterpoint to a particularly spirited tobacco in order to achieve a harmonious overall impression.

Jetflame

Jetflame lighters are gas lighters that use a special nozzle to produce a hot, blue flame. These lighters are ideal for lighting cigars

Colombia

Colombian tobacco has the euphonious name "Carmen". However, it does not owe this name to a racy tobacco farmer, but to a district of the same name, where the country's most important tobacco plantations are located. The large-leaf Colombian tobaccos, mostly grown by farming families on small leased estates, are often used as wrapper leaves due to their high yield. Their flavour is slightly earthy. The colour palette of Colombian tobacco ranges from tobacco brown to deep dark shades. Colombia can lay claim to being the cradle of the international tobacco trade. In 1776, the Spanish colonial rulers established four main tobacco-growing regions, all of which were located in what is now Colombia, and for the next 75 years the Spanish crown held a monopoly on the trade in tobacco leaves. The Colombian government is currently promoting the creation of additional plantations for tobacco cultivation.

Head cigar

Cigar with a closed mouth end. The term "head" refers to the round cut tobacco leaf that closes the end of the mouth.

Cuba The most famous cigars in the world are made on the Caribbean island of Cuba. So it is no wonder that tobacco is the country's third largest source of foreign currency after sugar and tourism. Almost all tobacco production, the centre of which is located in the province of Pinar del Rio in the south-west of the island, is exported. The tropical climate, which is characterised by the north-east trade winds, is ideal for growing tobacco. However, the soil is decisive for the high quality and character of the tobacco. Cuban tobaccos are all very aromatic and particularly strong, even if they vary greatly in shape and flavour depending on the growing region. The two main tobacco varieties are Corojo and Criollo, which are mainly used for wrappers

Storage

A cigar can be stored for many years. However, the prerequisite for this is that it is done under ideal conditions: A temperature of 18 - 20° Celsius and a relative humidity of 65 - 75 per cent are crucial for maintaining quality.

Light

The term "light" does not refer to the nicotine and condensate content of a cigar, but to its less dominant flavour.

Ligador (blend maker)

Skilled worker who produces the tobacco blends for the various formats and Habanos brands.

Ligero

(light)

A specification for filler leaves. Despite its literal meaning (light), ligero refers to the leaves from the upper part of the plant, which are usually darker in colour and stronger.

Long filler

The filler of long filler cigars consists of whole tobacco leaves, which are folded lengthwise depending on the format of the cigar. Most long fillers are made by hand. In contrast, there are short-filler cigars, which consist of shredded leaves.

Lonsdale Cigar format. Length: 150 mm, diameter: 16 - 17 mm

Maduro

Maduro means "ripe" in Spanish. The colour of a very dark, maroon wrapper.

Manojo (bundle)

Bundle of four leaf bundles.

Matas Bahia

Famous cigar tobacco-growing region in north-east Brazil

Mecanizado (machine-made)

Machine-made.

Media Rueda (half-wheel)

This is the name of the bundle of 50 cigars.

Mexico

In Mexico, tobacco played an important role in Mayan mythology and healing more than 2000 years ago. While tobacco from Mexico is already well established on the US market, the spicy, earthy leaves are now also conquering Europe. As binder or filler, they give cigars from Mexico strength and a special character. Dark Maduro tobaccos, which are known for their peppery sweetness and are considered by some tobacco experts to be the best in the world, are popular as wrappers. Aficionados also appreciate the fact that cigars from Mexico retain their pleasant flavour throughout the entire length of the cigar, are easy to draw and burn particularly evenly. The Villiger cigar manufacturer's range includes Mexican tobaccos in the Villiger 1888 brand, among others. Mild The term "mild" does not refer to the digestibility of a cigar, but describes its flavour, which is of medium dominance.

Moja (moistening)

Moistening of the tobacco leaves, which is carried out if necessary.

Molde

Molde or wrapping press refers to boards with punched-out holes in which the cigar wrappers are pressed into a uniform shape.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua lies on the same meridian (longitude) as Cuba. It is not just the landscape, climate and soils of the two countries that are similar. Nicaraguan tobaccos are also said to be "closest to Cuba", i.e. the closest to the legendary Cuban tobacco of all tobaccos grown in the world. For decades, the country was paralysed by dictators, political turmoil and civil wars. But now the country is on the up again, as is its tobacco industry: the large, dark brown and spicy leaves from Nicaragua are in high demand among tobacco buyers

Oscuro

Colour designation for almost black cigars

Pacas (bales)

Term for the packaging in which the filler and binder leaves grown in the sun are matured.

Panetela

)

Cigar format. Length: 100 - 170 mm, diameter: 10 mm.

Paraguay)

The Republic of Paraguay is one of the smallest tobacco-growing regions in the world. However, the tobacco produced here has two big names among its fans. The dark tobacco variety "Dark Aircured" from this landlocked South American country became world-famous thanks to a famous fan: Humphrey Bogart preferred to roll the air-cured Paraguay tobacco in his ubiquitous cigars. In 1955, Ernest Hemingway said the following about Paraguayan cigar tobacco: "What a pity, I should have known Paraguayan cigars earlier; they develop such a compact flavour that I don't find in any Havana." Even today, popular hand-rolled fine cigars come from Paraguay.

Parejo

(cylindrical) )

Cigar shape with parallel, straight sides.

Perfecto)

Cigar format with a round head and pointed end.

Perilla (head) )

Cigar head; the side of the cigar that is closed with a cap that must be cut off before lighting.

Petit Corona)

Cigar format. Length: 125 mm, diameter: 16 - 17 mm.

Philippines)

Tobacco from the Philippines is also known as "Manila tobacco" after the Philippines' main port of export. At the end of the sixteenth century, when tobacco began its triumphal march through the world, a Spanish ship brought Cuban tobacco seeds to the Philippines. It soon became apparent that the soil and climate produced excellent tobacco. For centuries, the first-class Philippine cigars competed with Cuban Havana cigars for the favour of aficionados in Spanish-speaking countries. It was only towards the middle of the 20th century that the Manila cigar lost this race and was somewhat forgotten internationally. This is perhaps also due to the fact that Filipino premium cigars can hardly be compared with other cigars due to their unique style. Filipino tobacco is known for its mild, subtly spicy flavour and comparatively low nicotine content.

Picadura)

Torn, stripped leaf sections used as filler tobacco.

Premium Cigars, premium cigars)

Cigars of a high quality standard. Criteria: 100% tobacco, handmade, long filler.

Provenance)

Country of origin of the tobacco

Purito)

Cigarillo, also cigar format. Length: 97 mm, diameter: 11-12 mm.

Puro

)

A "Puro" cigar consists of 100 per cent tobacco from a single country of origin. For example, Villiger's "Tobajara Brasil" is a Brasil Puro, which is rolled exclusively from Brazilian tobaccos.

Pyramid, cigar format)

The cigar tapers along its entire length and is rolled to a point at the end

Ring gauge

The diameter of a cigar is always expressed in 64ths of an inch (1 inch=25.4 mm). Example of a Mareva: 42/64 x 25.4=16.67 mm diameter Robusto Cigar format. Length: 120 mm, diameter: 20 mm

Sand leaf

Lowest leaves of the tobacco plant, tender, particularly aromatic, sprinkled with sand by the rain.

Scissors

Cigar scissors. Similar to a cutter, they are used to cut the cigar at the head or smoking end.

Scrap filler

Filler made from torn, stripped leaf sections

Seco (dry)

A specification for filler leaves. These are leaves of medium thickness from the middle part of the plant with a major influence on the flavour of the cigars.

Shape

Format

Stumpen

A common synonym for cigars in Switzerland, often with a derogatory meaning. Cigars originally produced in multiple lengths with a full-length wrapper.

Sumatra

The Indonesian island of Sumatra owes its success as a tobacco-growing country to particularly favourable soil and climate conditions. Situated close to the equator, the tobacco-growing areas in the north-eastern part of the island have tropical temperatures with a constant humidity of over 60 per cent. The best tobaccos thrive in the districts of Deli and Langkat at 120 to 200 metres above sea level on black soils of volcanic origin. Their fine, flowery aroma, their rather mild flavour and their good glowing properties make the rather light-coloured Sumatran tobaccos sought-after cigar wrapper leaves, especially in Europe. The best Sumatra wrapper leaves are "silver-plated" in the truest sense of the word: One kilogramme of this rare tobacco is more expensive than one kilogramme of silver

Tabaco (tobacco)

The sole component of Habanos. In Cuba also synonymous with cigar.

Tabaco del sol

Tobacco grown in direct sunlight. The direct sunlight gives the tobacco leaves a stronger flavour.

Tabaco Negro Cubano (Cuban black tobacco)

Original tobacco plant discovered on the island by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Tabacuba

State-owned agricultural company responsible for all agricultural and manufacturing aspects of Cuban tobacco production.

Tabaco tapado

Tobacco grown under nets or gauze tents. The tobacco leaves are protected from direct sunlight and develop a mild flavour and velvety texture. These particularly beautiful tobacco leaves are usually used as wrapper leaves.

Tabla (wooden board)

Wooden board on which the cigar rollers make the cigars.

Tercio

(bale, wrapped in yagua leaves)

Packaging made from yagua leaves (royal palm) in which the leaves selected as wrapper leaves are matured.

Tiempos (duration)

Corresponds to the term fortaleza. Classification of different types of filler leaves that are combined to produce the blend for a Havana cigar.

Tobajara

The Tobajara are an indigenous people in South America. The name means "lord of the village" from "Taba" (village) and "Jara" (lord). The Tobajara live in the hinterland of Ceará, Brazil.

Torcedor(a) (cigar roller)

Cigar roller who makes cigars in factories.

Torpedo

Cigar format. -> Pyramid

Totalmente a mano (Completely handmade)

Term used to distinguish the traditional Cuban production process - cigars made entirely by hand - from partially machine-made production methods used elsewhere.

Tripa (Filler)

The centrepiece of a Habano. It consists of a mixture of the leaf specifications ligero, seco and volado and largely determines its flavour.

Tripa Corta

The "short filler" consists of crushed tobacco leaves that are combined with selected and cut leaves.

Tripa Larga

The "long filler" consists of whole tobacco leaves or leaf halves from which only the leaf veins have been removed.

Très Petit Corona

Cigar format. Length: 110 mm, diameter: 16 mm.

Tubo Lockable aluminium tube to protect the individual cigar from mechanical damage and drying out. Practical for taking cigars with you when travelling or for leisure activities

U.S.A.

The United States of America is the fourth largest tobacco producer in the world after the People's Republic of China, India and Brazil. Long before Europeans discovered the "New World" and, shortly afterwards, tobacco, the Indians of North America used wild tobacco as a stimulant, spiritual drug and medicine. Today, three growing regions in the United States are known for first-class cigarillo and cigar tobacco: Connecticut, Florida and Virginia. The wrapper leaves from Connecticut, which are grown under shade tents, are particularly sought after by cigar producers. The shade ensures that a smooth, light-coloured wrapper leaf is produced, which harmonises well with aromatic filler and binder tobaccos. These Connecticut Shadegrown wrapper leaves are also used for premium cigars in Central American countries.

Wrapper leaf

The wrapper leaf lies beneath the binder leaf. It encases the filler tobaccos and gives the cigar its shape.

Vegas Finas de Primera (first quality plantations)

Designation for tobacco plantations located in the best tobacco-growing regions certified by the Cuban Tobacco Institute and where the tobacco used to produce Habanos is grown.

Virginia

A slim, long cigar with a mouthpiece that is particularly popular in the Alpine countries.

Vitola

A word with various meanings. General: Format and dimensions of a cigar. Production name: vitola de galera (production name). Trade name: vitola de salida (trade name). Also: Special cigar format in a special type of packaging. In Spain: Name for the belly band of a cigar (vitolfilia is the name given to the collection of cigar belly bands).

Volado

A specification for filler leaves. Leaves with a lower strength from the lower part of the plant, very important for the good burning of the cigar.

Vuelta

Abajo

The Vuelta Abajo is located in south-west Cuba and is generally regarded as the most suitable region in the world for growing tobacco and is the most important source of tobacco. It is also the only region in which all types of tobacco leaves (including wrapper leaves) are produced

Wrap

Semi-finished cigar, consisting of filler and binder. Also known as a "chrysalis". The wrapper, which is rolled up in the final step, is still missing from the finished cigar.

Wrapping press

Molde or wrapping press refers to boards with cut-outs in which the cigar wrappers are pressed into a uniform shape. Wrapper English for wrapper leaf

Zafado (taking apart)

Work step of taking the leaves from the wooden sticks to group them into bundles.

Cigar

Generic term for cigar products (head cigar, cigarillo, cheroot)

Cigar ring see belly band

Match

Many aficionados use only cedar wood shavings as a match for their cigar, while others swear by special, extra-long cigar matches. It is important to wait a few seconds after lighting the match before lighting the cigar until the match head has burnt down. Otherwise there is a risk that the cigar will take on the sulphur flavour

Do you have any questions or suggestions?

Then you can contact us at any time, we look forward to hearing from you!

support@zigarrenversand.ch
+41 52 624 26 00

This website uses cookies to ensure the best experience possible. More information...