CIGAR HEAD & FOOT TYPES

CIGARS 101.4: Cigar Anatomy

                                 

A cigar is much more than a bunch of leaves!  While construction techniques and component parts vary greatly, the general parts of a premium cigar remain the same: head, shoulder, body or shaft, foot, wrapper, binder, and filler.  

The process of creating a cigar is a mix of art and science and it can only be accomplished by great craftsmen and women.  Click below if you would like to see the videos showing the extraordinary process of how premium cigars are made.

TOBACCO COLLEGE: CIGAR ROLLING

           

Wrapper leaves are the most delicate, expensive and [ideally] perfect leaf that is applied to the outside of a cigar.  In addition, wrapper leaves contribute significantly to the flavor of the cigar since they will touch the mouth and tongue.

Binder leaves are the dense and strong leaves applied to the outside of the filler tobaccos; forming the bunch.  The binder protects and helps form the filler tobaccos in the molds and presses. 

Filler tobacco leaves constitute the 'guts' of the cigar.  Filler leaves must be expertly bunched to make a well constructed cigar that will draw and burn in balance.  

Cigar Anatomy: Final Exam Review

Premium cigars are composed of long filler, binder, and a wrapper. They are made exclusively by hand, although the bunch (binder+fillers) can be created using a Lieberman machine which assists the roller. In general, bunchers place 3 to 5 filler leaves* together and wrap them with a binder leaf, then place them in a mold and press.  The bunched cigars are rotated in the mold several times, about every 30 to 45 minutes, in order to create an even compression without a seam.  After the bunch is removed from the mold and press the wrapper leaf will be applied.  Wrapper leaves have their entire stem removed and each half of the leaf will be used on separate cigars.  These wrapper leaf halves are mirror images of each other so one will be applied right-to-left and the other left-to-right.  It is important to note that wrapper leaves are prized for their elasticity, tensile strength, consistent color and texture.

*Important Note: filler leaves have only half of their stem removed.  The half closest to the tip of the leaf is the thinnest part and it will remain; the thicker bottom half will be discarded.