WHAT IS A CIGAR?

A cigar is a roll of dried and fermented tobacco leafs meant for tasting, by lighting on fire and slowly puffing (not inhaling).  Typical origins of the tobacco are Cuba, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, Southern United States, Philippines, Canary Islands, and a couple countries in Africa like Cameroon.

A hand rolled cigar is made up of three basic parts;

1. Filler - filler is a blend of usually 3 types of tobacco - 

Seco, Viso, and Ligero. The important thing to know is each of these tobaccos have a job, combustion regulation, flavour and body.

2. Binder - a binder leaf is needed to hold the filler together, its typically a broadleaf that is thick and strong.

3. Wrapper - Wrapper tobacco, can be the most expensive and delicate part of the cigar.  It can be grown under cheesecloth shade or in sun. Wrapper ranges in color from Pale Yellow to Black. It’s job is to provide a beautiful exterior and impart aroma.

A hand made cigar takes on average 3 years to produce from harvest to finished product.  It must be harvested, slow air dried, aged, some leafs fermented in round or square bales, graded and sorted, blended, rolled, aged as a cigar for flavours to merry, then boxed, sold and smoked.