An insight about cigars; its anatomy, different sizes, and an understanding of the different regions of tobacco cultivation in Cuba
While it is not sure when was the first tobacco plant cultivated or when people started smoking these leaves, but the introduction of Tobacco smoking and a very raw form of cigar was originated through Cuba.
It was in Cuba in 1492 when the Spanish expedition commanded by Christopher Columbus first saw tobacco in the New World. The Taino Indians rolled up and lit some mysterious leaves that they called ??Cohiba??
Since the beginning of that discovery, Cuban Black Tobacco was considered the best in the world due to the unique conditions that certain parts of the Island have for its cultivation, a distinction that it holds without question more than 5 centuries later.
What is a Cigar?
Cigar is a cylindrical roll of tobacco for smoking, consisting of cut tobacco filler in a binder leaf with a wrapper leaf rolled spirally around the bunch.
Anatomy of a Cigar
Filler: Making up the main body of the cigar, these whole leaves are folded along their length to help air flow through the cigar.
Volado, tobacco leaf with the least strength, valued especially for its combustibility
Seco, medium strength leaf, the most important for aroma.
Ligero, high-strength leaf, slow-burning, for flavor.
Some Habanos incorporate a fourth leaf that is very scarce in its availability:
Medio Tiempo , the strongest leaf, coming from the two upper leaves of the sun tobacco plant, and that the plants produce depending on the climatic and growing conditions of each harvest. Very few cigars carry this type of leaf. It is the specialty of Cohiba Behike; one of the most sought after cigar in the world.
Binder: The binder, or capote, holds the filler together and creates the shape of the cigar. They are aged for at least nine months before being used.
Wrapper: The wrapper, or capa, leaves come from plants who are grown in shaded tapado fields - completely covered in muslin cloth to ensure larger and darker leaves. These single leaves are used to wrap and finish the cigar. They are aged for a minimum of six months before being used.
Tapado shaded fields
cigaraficionado.com
Parts of a Cigar
Shapes of Cigar
The initial fundamental to learn about distinguishing cigars is knowing the difference between a Figurado and a Parejo.
Firstly, a Parejo is the classic cigar shape, which means “flush” or “straight” in Spanish. As this suggests, it’s straight with one rounded capped end called the head and a flat open end known as the foot. Additionally, Parejo can be almost any size, which we’ll explore further on.
Anything that isn’t a Parejo is simply referred to as a Figurado. This means that the shape doesn’t follow the conventional straightness and may alter in thickness at some point.
Common Sizes (Vitola)
Cigar Size / Length: This is measured from the cap to the foot, in inches.
Ring Gauge: Measured in 1/64th-inch increments. So, a cigar with a 48 ring gauge is 48/64 or 0.75″ in diameter.
Parejo Vitolas
Corona: The standard measurement and the most common cigar shape/size. Dimensions: 5.5-6 inches X 42-44 ring gauge.
Petit Corona: An inch to an inch and a half shorter than the corona. Dimensions: 4.5 inches X 40-42 ring gauge.
Churchill: Named for the avid cigar aficionado, Winston Churchill. Dimensions: 7 inches X 47 ring gauge
Robusto: Robusto is a thicker cigar. Dimensions: 4.75-5.5 inches X 48-52 ring gauge.
Corona Gorda: A little bit fatter than a typical Corona, the Gorda has a different mouthfeel but burns a little longer than the Corona. Dimensions: 5.625 inches X 46 ring gauge or 6 inches X 50 ring gauge
Double Corona: Go big or go home with this take on the Corona. Dimensions: 7.5-8.5 inches X 49-52 ring gauge
Pantela: A thinner stick than the Corona. Dimensions: 5-7.5 inches X 34-38 ring gauge.
Lonsdale: Similar dimensions as a Churchill but with a slimmer profile. Dimensions: 6.5 inches X 42 ring gauge.
Toro: More length than the Robusto, the Toro is extremely popular vitola for the consistency of draw. Dimensions: 6 inches X 50-54 ring gauge.
Lancero: This stick is long and lean. Described as “elegant” or even “delicate.” Dimensions: 7-7.5 inches X 38-39 ring gauge.
Gran Corona: This is to be smoked when you have hell lot of time in hand, an easy 2.5 hours of dedicated time. Dimensions: 9.25 inches X 47 ring gauge.
Figurado
Pyramid: Length of 6-7 inches and a 40 ring gauge at the head, it continues to widen to 52-54 ring gauge at the open foot.
Torpedo: Most of today’s torpedos are actually pyramids because true torpedos are extremely rare these days. Distinguished by a closed foot, a head tapered to a point, and a bulge in the middle. Dimensions: 6.5-7.5 inches X 50-54 ring gauge.
Belicoso: A short and stub version of the Torpedo. Dimensions: 5-5.5 inches X 50 ring gauge
Perfecto: A classic that is becoming rarer, this cigar can vary widely in size, but the defining characteristics are the rounded head, closed foot, and bulge in the middle. Dimensions: 4.5-9 inches x 38-48 ring gauge.
Culebra: These are as rare as it can get. These are actually 3 smaller cigars braided and tied together. Your may unravel and smoke individually or try all three at once. Dimensions: 5-6 inches X 38 ring gauge
Diadema: Similar to the Perfecto. They also sport a tapered head, but not to a complete point like a Perfecto. Dimensions: 8.5 inches X 40 ring gauge
Vitolario
vigilantinc.com
The Classified Regions of Tobbaco in Cuba
Classified Tobacco regions for Habanos
medium.com
Vuelta Abajo
The best tobacco in the world is cultivated on the mineral rich soil of Vuelta Abajo. It is here that the Habano, the highest-quality cigar attainable, is produced.
The terroir (climate, humidity, and subsoil) of the region is ideal for the cultivation of aromatic tobacco. The high nitrate concentration in the leaves, which gives the tobacco a full-bodied taste and structure. Though many have tried, no other region of the world is able to produce the strength and power of tobacco produced in this climatic region. The region is further divided into three sub-regions:
Pinar del Rio: It is the province that produces the best tobacco in the world. Most of the premium cigars collect its wrappers from here. The red soil, lack of rain, strong humidity and temperatures are perfect, and this was realized centuries ago.
San Luis: west of Pinar del Rio lies San Luis, is a small agricultural town - cultivating products such as rice, fruit, and tobacco. The municipality is known to be the first place where ‘Corojo’ leaf, known as the ‘best cigar wrapper in the world’ was born; until Fidel Castro ordered the family who cultivated the leaf, to leave the country forever. San Luis is the house of the loved Vegas Robaina Cigar.
San Juan y Martinez: this region known to grow quality binders and fillers for Cuban cigars. Furthermore, this is house of the famed ‘Hoyo de Monterrey’ brand.
Partido
Partido is the hosed of a historical group of tobacco plantations which specialize in cultivating long-filler and short-filler Habanos leaves.
Vuelta Arriba
It is being further divided into two sub regions:
Remedios
It is the largest and oldest tobacco growing region in Cuba. The Remedios leaf is known under the name of ‘tabaco de liga’ (blending tobacco) and ‘tabaco de exportación’ (export tobacco). So you can expect many famous Cuban cigars have leaves from the Remedios region in Cuba.
It grows all kinds of leaves and are solely used by a brand named José L. Piedra. Tobacco has been grown in the Remedios region since the 16th Century, but it was harvested and made into cigars on a large scale around 1880s when the Pierdra family moved to Remedios, Cuba from Spain. They settled in a tiny village called Santa Clara and started making tobacco.
Oriente
This was the land that was graced by the visit of Cristopher Columbus. While it has been producing tobacco for generations; there are very few who make cigars. the tobacco from the region is exported for blending and also used in cigarettes.
Habanos D.O.P
Habano, is the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) reserved for a selection of the most prominent brands whose tobaccos are made, following the most rigorous standards, from tobacco leaves harvested in certain areas also protected as designations of origin.
Habanos cigars are made "Totally by Hand", applying Cuban methods that were used for the first time in Havana more than two centuries ago, which are passed down from generation to generation and have remained almost unchanged to this day.
More than 500 manual processes, including agricultural and factory processes, are carried out between the sowing of the seed and the boxing of each Habano.
Currently there are 27 brands that classify as Habano.
Cohiba
Montecristo
Romeo y Julieta
Partagás
Hoyo de Monterrey
H. Upmann
Trinidad
Bolivar
Punch
Qual d'Orsay
Ramón Allones
José L. Piedra
Quintero
Vegueros
Cuaba
San Cristóbal de la Habana
Fonseca
Vegas Robaina
Diplomáticos
El Rey del Mundo
Juan López
La flor de Cano
La Gloria Cubana
Por Larrañaga
Rafael González
Saint Luis Rey
Sancho Panza
Conclusion
As any premium spirit or wine; cigar is an indulgence. A lot depends on the region, grand and the love for cigar that reflects on the final product. It is truly bespoke and reflects it terroir. I suggest, a true connoisseur should have preferences but always be open to try one that you don't know about. it is an endless world of exploration.
Great input
Great reading