What goes into making a cigar?
Tobacco leaves are harvested beginning at the bottom of the plant. Volado, the bottom leaves, have an extremely mild, almost bland taste. Seco, the middle section leaves, have a medium flavor; and the ligero, the top leaves, are oilier and richer in flavor. After harvesting, the leaves are separated into bundles according to size and texture and hung to dry in curing barns for six to eight weeks. The curing process and the subsequent fermentation of the tobacco is necessary to release ammonia from the tobacco and reduces the overall nicotine content. The fermented tobacco is then allowed to age anywhere from 18 month to two years to enhance the taste and burning qualities of the tobacco. Poorly fermented cigars are harsh and bitter and burn unevenly. Master blenders combine tobaccos from different countries or different regions of the same country to achieve a distinctive and balanced smoke. Depending upon its ring gauge, a cigar will contain a blend of between two and five different t
