Form of the cigar

The body of the cigar is denominated Body. It may be “parejo” or “figurado”. In the first case, the cigar’s width is the same in all its length, presenting a regular shape; in the second case, the shape is irregular, for example, egg-shaped.


The part of the cigar that is used to do the smoking is called the “Head” of the cigar. It is usually finished off with a small piece of tobacco leaf (cap) that has the shape of a hazelnut or pig’s tail, which involves a specialized labor. This part of the cigar must be cut open by means of a cutting process that varies according to the specific cigar.
The part of the cigar that is lit is called the “Foot” or “Tuck”. The lighting process also varies according to the cigar.


Producing a high quality cigar requires a very criterions combination of the different varieties of tobacco leaves. The main constituent is the tobacco used in the core of the cigar, or “Filler”. In the filler, the tobacco is either bunched together or cut in pieces, according to the type of cigar. A special type of fermented tobacco is used in this elaboration. The classification of this special tobacco depends on the original place it occupied in the plant, since it is this position which defines the strength of the leaf and the amount of nicotine it contains.


The filler is wrapped with another tobacco leaf, the “Binder” leaf. Their union makes the “Bunch“. The type of leaf that is used for the binder is a shade grown variety and it is important when selecting it that it be in harmonious equilibrium with the tobacco used in the filler. The type of texture, aroma and color of the leaf are taken into special consideration because they have great incidence in the final taste of the the cigar.


The bunch is finally wrapped by a specially treated leaf. Because this “Wrapper” leaf is used in the exterior part of the cigar, it is responsible for its visual appeal. As occurs with the binder, the variety selected must be a shade dried leaf and must have been chosen for its perfect texture and smoothness. The treatment the wrapper receives is extremely delicate: it is hand-cut and the humidity and elasticity are controlled, giving the cigar its perfect blend.


From this we can conclude that a cigar is a natural product, elaborated with 100% tobacco and not containing any chemical products; even the cigar’s cap is glued with vegetable glue.