While it's not necessary to understand the names of all the different parts of a cigar in order to enjoy a good smoke, you will be able to make a more informed decision about what types of cigars to add to your collection when you understand what each part of a cigar is commonly named. Learning these names will allow you to discuss cigar smoking with other aficionados with greater clarity and will help you to understand what it is you're buying when you are at your favorite cigar shop.
What are the parts of a cigar? To begin to answer that question let's start with the outside of the cigar, which is called the wrapper. The wrapper secures the tobacco within the stick and adds quite a bit of flavor to the smoke. The wrapper itself is made of tobacco leaf. You will notice that the wrapper of cigars varies in color and can be graded anywhere from very light (claro) to quite dark (oscuro).
Inside the binder, you'll find the filler. Filler is just the term used for the tobacco used to fill the cigar (hence the name). This is the part of the cigar that you smoke and is responsible for most of the flavor that you enjoy while smoking, though the wrapper also affects the way your cigar tastes. Different cigars have different types of filler. Short filler is used in cheaper cigars, as well as in smaller ones. Long filler is used in larger cigars, as well as in higher end cigars. Those are the most obvious components to a cigar, but there are other parts that you should know about.
The cap is the butt end of the cigar - the portion that you have to pierce or cut before you can light up and enjoy that smoke. The cap is a separate piece of wrapper material and joins the wrapper at what is called the shoulder. The shoulder is nothing more than the point where the wrapper ends and the cap begins. Cigars also have a head - this is the portion just above the cap.
On the head of a cigar is a small, but important part that is called the cap. The cap is made up of tobacco leaf and is glued to the end of the stogie to keep the tobacco fresh and to prevent the wrapper from unraveling. You will need to cut off a portion of this cap in order to enjoy your smoke.
What are the parts of a cigar? To begin to answer that question let's start with the outside of the cigar, which is called the wrapper. The wrapper secures the tobacco within the stick and adds quite a bit of flavor to the smoke. The wrapper itself is made of tobacco leaf. You will notice that the wrapper of cigars varies in color and can be graded anywhere from very light (claro) to quite dark (oscuro).
Inside the binder, you'll find the filler. Filler is just the term used for the tobacco used to fill the cigar (hence the name). This is the part of the cigar that you smoke and is responsible for most of the flavor that you enjoy while smoking, though the wrapper also affects the way your cigar tastes. Different cigars have different types of filler. Short filler is used in cheaper cigars, as well as in smaller ones. Long filler is used in larger cigars, as well as in higher end cigars. Those are the most obvious components to a cigar, but there are other parts that you should know about.
The cap is the butt end of the cigar - the portion that you have to pierce or cut before you can light up and enjoy that smoke. The cap is a separate piece of wrapper material and joins the wrapper at what is called the shoulder. The shoulder is nothing more than the point where the wrapper ends and the cap begins. Cigars also have a head - this is the portion just above the cap.
On the head of a cigar is a small, but important part that is called the cap. The cap is made up of tobacco leaf and is glued to the end of the stogie to keep the tobacco fresh and to prevent the wrapper from unraveling. You will need to cut off a portion of this cap in order to enjoy your smoke.
