Cigar & Pipes Flashcards
(390 cards)
1
Q
What is the standard cigar box or commonly known as cello Boxes?
A
8-9-8 Eight cigar on top, nine cigars in the middle and 8 on the bottom
2
Q
What is the smallest concentration of a substance that can be detected by our senses called?
A
Absolute Threshold
3
Q
What is Accordion (bunch) rolling?
A
A bunching technique in which the outer sides of the filler leaves are folded inward, one at a time. The bunched leaves are then placed on top of each other until the bunch is complete and wrapped with a binder leaf to be placed in a cigar mold. This technique allows more air passage through the cigar. Also called a Arrugado and is not as sophisticated as entubado rolling.
4
Q
Acidic
A
Having properties of an acid. Flavor is sour and pungent. Cigarette tobaccos are acidic vs cigar and pipe which are alkaline.
5
Q
What is a active humidifier?
A
A machine designed to create humidity. They will typically have a fan blowing on or over water to produce a mist. Common in walk in or large cabinets.
6
Q
Affective Marketing
A
The process of promoting a product or service in a way that appeals to or influences feeling and emotion in a target audience.
7
Q
African Block Meerschaum
A
From Tanzania, Africa, this type of meerschaum differs from the Turkish variety in that it is fired at high temperatures, then stained in shades of brown, black, and yellow.
8
Q
Air Curing
A
The process used for cigar tobaccos (dark air-cured) and for Burley tobaccos (light air-cured). After being harvested, cigar leaves are hung in pairs in curing barns, Casas de Tabaco, for approx. 50 days. During this process, the tobacco leaves lose their chlorophyll and 85 percent of their humidity.
9
Q
Alkaline
A
Having the properties of an alkali (base). Flavor is bitter, dry and astringent. Cigar and pipe tobaccos are highly alkaline because they have high ammonia content and should not be inhaled.
10
Q
Alkaloid
A
Any in a class of naturally occurring organic bases containing nitrogen. Alkaloids include nicotine, morphine, ephedrine, and quinine, among thousands of others. They are of interest mostly because of their physiological effects on humans and animals.
11
Q
Amarillo
A
Spanish for yellow. Referring to a color classification of shade grown wrapper leaf.
12
Q
What is a amatista jar?
A
A hermetically sealed jar containing 50( occasionally 25) cigars.
13
Q
What is amber?
A
It is a fossilized tree sap used to sometimes make pipe stems for Meerschaum or high end Briar pipes.
14
Q
What is a mixture of Virginia, Burley, and Oriental tobaccos and typically consist of 50% Virginia, 37% air cured Burley and 13% Oriental called?
A
American Blend tobacco which is used in Cigarettes.
15
Q
What refers to claro and double claro colored cigars which were popular during the middle of the 20th century in US?
A
American Market Selection
16
Q
Ammonia
A
Is an alkaline compound that exists naturally in the tobacco leaf. Much of the ammonia is expelled as a gas during the fermentation process.
17
Q
Anejador
A
The person in charge of anejamiento. The anejador curates the temperature, humidity, and aging standards for the tobaccos and cigars.
18
Q
Anejamiento
A
The aging process during which the tobaccos slowly develop and release impurities and ammonia. Tobacco anejamiento pertains to leaves and occurs after fermentation, often going on for years. Anejamiento occurs after the cigar is rolled, while they are curated by a tobacconist, then in a personal humidor until smoked.
19
Q
Anilladora
A
The worker who applies the band to the cigar.
20
Q
Anillo
A
“ring” also for the band around the cigar
21
Q
Anniversary
A
Commemorates a date or event in the world of luxury tobacco, cigars and pipes.
22
Q
What is a pipe with a round shaped bowl reminiscent of an apple called?
A
Apple
23
Q
What is a period of service and learning an art or trade called?
A
Apprenticeship
24
Q
What is a distinctive and pleasant smell?
A
Aroma
25
Aromatic Analysis
The process of dissecting a cigar to smell the aromas of the individual leaf components. The process is as follows:
1. Take the cigar apart gently and separate the wrapper, binder, and different filler leaves.
2. The filler leaves will be distinguished by their color and texture.
3. Then light the individual components in an ashtray one at a time and smell the aromas.
26
Aromatic Blend
Blended Virginia and Burley tobaccos that have flavorings or casing added as part of the manufacturing/blending process. Some common casings are chocolate, vanilla, cherry, and rum. Are typically mild and have a sweeter taste+aroma.
27
What a skilled worker who practices a trade or handicraft, often using traditional methods?
Artisan
28
Arrugado
Spanish term for accordion rolling
29
Balkan Blend
Also known as English Blend pipe tobacco
30
Band
Synonym for cigar ring, traditionally located below the shoulders
31
What is a term describing a cigar wrapping with two overlapping and color contrasting wrappers?
Barber Poll
32
What are wooden vessels used to age tobacco leaves?
Barrel
33
Belicoso
Traditionally, this cigar shape (vitola) was a small pyramid between 5 to 5 1/2 inches long. Today, the size can refer to a pointed/tapered and pointed head.
34
What is a bent pipe?
Characterized by a curved shank and stem. Bent pipes tend to collect moisture at the bottom of the bowl, below the bend of the of the shank, but can transmit less heat to the palate than a straight pipe.
35
Betun
A conocoction of water and tobacco residues used to wet down the tobacco before fermentation.
36
What is a pipe shaped with a slightly rounded bowl and straight stem?
Billiard pipe
37
Binder
Dense, strong leaves that are applied to the outside of the filler tobaccos. The binder protects and holds the filler tobaccos together in cigar molds and presses.
38
Biphasic
Having two distinct, and often seemingly contradictory, effects; in the case of nicotine, the effects of both mental alertness and physical relaxation.
39
Bit
The part of the stem that the lips and teeth rest upon.
40
Black Cavendish
A pipe tobacco that is steamed, usually with sugars or flavoring in the water, and pressed for an additional aging period. Black Cavendish goes through more vigorous pressing than Natural Cavendish, yielding a darker color and richer flavor.
41
Blend
The combination of different types of tobacco used to create a specific character and taste. In a cigar, this includes filler, binder, and wrapper leaves from different plants, and different regions. For pipe tobaccos, see Aromatic and English Blends.
42
Bloom
Is a synonym for plume
43
Blue mold
Peronospara tabacina, an airborne fungus that can ravage a tobacco field or even an entire plantation in a matter of days. Blue mold flourishes in cool, cloudy, humid weather. The effects are distinguished by small, round blemishes on the tobacco leaves.
44
Body
The middle part of the cigar, also called the barrel. 2). The breadth and depth of flavor of a tobacco.
45
Bofeton
A flap of delicate paper used to cover cigars in a box, lying under the lid and over the cigars.
46
What is Boite Nature?
The classic cedar box in which cigars are packaged.
47
What is a Bonsack Machine?
Invented by James Albert Bonsack and patented in 1880, the first commercial cigarette injecting machine, which ushered in the age of mass-production cigarettes.
48
Book(Bunch) Rolling
A bunching technique which involves laying filler leaves flatly on top of one another and then folding them up like a book to complete the bunch. This technique is simpler than both entubado and accordion rolling but creates a less aerated cigar structure. Book rolling is quicker and more efficient from manufacturing perspective and is probably the most popular technique employed today.
49
Boquilla
Spanish term referring to the cigar's foot
50
Bouquet
The smell or "nose" of a cigar or pipe tobacco.
51
What is a boutique?
1) of a manufacturer, a smaller cigar, pipe, and tobacco company with limited production. In general, boutique companies are more artisan-oriented. 2) in retail, a small store specializing in premium and super- premium products.
52
Bowl (pipe)
The hollowed out part of a pipe that holds tobacco.
53
Box Press
Technique which squares off the sides of a traditional "cylinder" shaped cigar. The traditional Cuban Box Press is a by-product of the tight box helping to shape very humid cigars into squares.
54
What is the name of wood that comes from the French Bruyere and from burls found on roots of the Heath Tree?
Briar
55
What is bright tobacco?
The lighter Virginia tobacco varietals.
56
Broadleaf
A dark tobacco varietal family popular for producing wrapper leaves that are enormous, resilient, and thick. These leaves are ideal for creating a maduro colored wrapper. Traditionally, Broadleaf wrapper is not primed, but rather the whole plant is stalk- cut when it matures.
57
Bulldog
A pipe with an indentation carved into the circumference towards the top of the bowl. Bulldog pipes usually have a diamond shaped stem.
58
Bunch
The filler tobaccos which are rolled up with the binder leaf. After bunching and pressing the wrapper leaf is applied. The bunch is called enpuno in Spanish.
59
Bundle
A method of packaging cigars without a box, usually in groups of 25 or 50. Bundles are typically used for less expensive cigars that may not have bands. Typically, cigar makers release their seconds in bundles.
60
What is a hardened wood growth found on trees?
Burl
61
Burl grain
A grain pattern found on smooth finish briar pipes that has tight, swirling patterns; also referred to as "bird eyes"
62
What is a strong, breathable material used to wrap filler and binder leaves for tobacco anejamiento?
Burlap
63
What is light, air cured tobacco that has a rich, nutty taste with slow, even buring qualities?
Burley
64
Burros
In the context of the two stage fermentation model that TU teaches, burros are four to six foot tall piles of tobacco that constitute the most intense fermentation period. At critical temperature points, the burros are unraveled and re-piled to prevent burn out.
65
Caballeria
Unit of area used to measure land in Cuba, equivalent to 33.2 acres.
66
Cabinet Selection
Cigars packaged in cedar boxes in lieu of paper wrapped boxes. These boxes provide direct contact with the cedar and may be preferable in long term aging.
67
What is term for a partially smoke and unlit cigar?
Cabo
68
Cake ( Pipe)
The carbon that develops along the inner wall of the pipe chamber and acts as insulation for the bowl and promotes an even burn. Approx 1/16th in is ideal.
69
Calabash (Pipe)
Originally made from African gourds, traditionally trained by hand to grow into an "S" shape. Because the gourds are naturally fatter at one end, calabash pipes make for cool smoking instruments. The gourd cannot sustain extreme heat, so calabash pipes generally have a bowl insert made from ceramic, briar, or meerschaum. Today, any pipe that is in a "S" shape is referred to as a Calabash pipe.
70
Calumet (Pipe)
A decorated pipe made by Native Americans, commonly known as a "Peace Pipe"
71
Cameroon
The common name for tobacco descended from Sumatran seed and grown in Central Africa. Known for their flavors and aromas, Cameroon Tobaccos are often used as wrapper leaves.
72
Candela
Also known as double claro, these leaves are flue cured (heat cured) to fix the chlorophyll levels in the leaf and produce the desired green color.
73
Canoe
The uneven, one sided burn of a cigar, caused by sub-standard rolling, improperly placed filler, uneven humidity, or poorly fermented raw materials
74
What is the circular piece of wrapper leaf that finishes the head of the cigar called?
Cap
75
Capa
Spanish term for the cigar wrapper leaf
76
Capadura
Spanish term for the second growth plant leaves. After the plant has been harvested/primed, the stalk is trimmed down and new leaves are allwoed to grow. This process was common in Cuba where the farmers would allow the plant/leaves to re-grow and use those leaves for their own consumption. Is common when growing Pelo de Oro tobacco varietals.
77
Capero No 1
A newer Cuban dark tobacco varietal. Grown widely beginning in 2007, Capero No.1 is a cross between Habanos 2000, Corojo '99 and Criollo '98. It produces an extra 2 to 3 leaves over other hybrids and has very large leaves. Capero No. 1 has been genetically engineered to produce no flowers and therefore no seeds: this will help Cuba maintain control over the plant's genetics where it is grown. The weakness of this hybrid is that the leaves have not held up well during fermentations.
78
Capote
1) Spanish term for the cigar binder leaf; 2) a section of the Criollo plant used for fillers and binders.
79
Carbonization (pipe)
The process by which char changes to carbon and forms cake on the inside of the bowl. This carbonized material, cake, helps protect the briar from the inside out, keeps the bowl cool, and promotes an even smoking experience.
80
What is the name of the wax that is derived from the palm of the Carnauba tree?
Carnauba- the wax melts at high temperatures and is used to give pipes their final polish.
81
Carotene
A naturally occurring organic compound found in some plants. When cigar tobacco is air-cured, the chlorophyll which gives the leaves their green color is broken down and the new yellow and orange carotene pigments are exposed.
82
Casa de Tabaco
Spanish term for the curing barn which has open sides facign East and West for optimal air circulation. Tobacco is placed high up in the Casa de Tobacco after picking/priming to dry out and lose its chlorophyll.
83
Casing
A top coat of liquid flavoring that is added to pipe tobaccos ( usually aromatics) Flavorings can include honey, liqueurs, extracts etc.
84
Casquillo
The cylindrical instrument used to cut the round cigar caps from the tobacco leaf.
85
Catador
Spanish term for "taster" ensure quality control by tasting batches of finished cigars.
86
Spanish Cedar
Cedrela odorata, Spanish Cedar is neither Spanish nor cedar; its a member of the mahogany family. It is commonly used for cigar boxes and cigar aging because it is naturally pest resistant, hygroscopic, and naturally abundant in Central America and the Caribbean.
87
Cedro
Spanish term for Spanish cedar
88
What is cellulose?
An insoluble substance derived from plant glucose; used as a binder in homogenized tobacco leaf.
89
What are the Centro Fino?
The third level of leaves from the top of the Corojo plant, between the centro gordo and centro ligero.
90
What are the Centro Gordo?
The second level of leaves from the top of the Corojo plant, just below the top corona leaves.
91
What are the Centro Ligero?
The leaves on the third level from the bottom of the corojo plant, between the centro fino and uno y medio leaves. Not to be confused with the criollo plant, where the term ligero refers to the top leaves, which are exposed to the most sun.
92
Cepo
Instrument used to measure the proper ring gauge of a finished cigar. This is usually a piece of wood with the appropriate size hole cut into it.
93
Chamber (pipe)
The chamber is the inside part of the bowl of a pipe where the tobacco is placed for smoking. Depending on the pipe, chambers vary in size, depth and finish
94
Char
The partially scorched, pre-ash remnants of tobacco.
95
What is a chaveta?
A flat metal tool shaped like a half moon, and used for cutting tobacco leaves by torcedores while rolling.
96
What is the process by which people (and other organisms) respond to chemical stimuli by using their sense of taste and smell?
Chemoreception
97
Cheroot
One of the oldest known cigar shapes, from the Tamil "curuttu," literally meaning "roll". The term usually refers to a mild and inexpensive cigar that tapers gradually from foot to head as is cut at both ends. Also referred as a "stogie"
98
What are consumers called that scour retail tobacconists looking for hard to find products called?
Cherry Pickers
99
Chinchal
Popular during the 1800s, this term referred to small cigar factories in Cuba which manufactured cigars for domestic use
100
Chisel
Figurado cigar with a round foot and a flattened/squared head
101
Chromolithography
The use of one or more color and stone( up to 25) in lithography
102
Churchill
A large format cigar, traditionally 7x47 ring gauge (rg)
103
Churchwarden (pipe)
A pipe shaped with a long, curved stem, also known as a "yard of clay". Churchwardens were originally made of clay, and were enormously popular in Europe until the introduction of the briar pipe. Churchwardens tend to produce a cooler smoke due to the length the smoke has to travel from bowl to mouthpiece.
104
Cigar rolling table
a table distinguished by a partial shelf over a standard table top. The partial top shelf creates extra space on top for placing finished cigars, while the space underneath hides the goma, guillotina, water, leaves, and other incidentals.
105
Claro
A cigar wrapper leaf, pale to light brown in color. Claro leaves are grown under shade to keep their color light.
106
Clay (pipe)
A pipe made from hardened clay, popularized by Sir Walter Raleigh in the early 1600's, characterized by a small bowl and a long stem.
107
Clear Havana
A cigar made with Cuban tobacco in the United States, before the Cuban embargo.
108
Cloud-grown
Cigar tobacco grown in Ecuador which is naturally shaded by consistent cloud cover. The naturally diffused light diminishes vein size, yields thinner leaves with very consistent coloration, and more subtle taste and aroma.
109
Cohiba
1) the cigar brand created for Fidel Castro in 1966. 2) the native Carribbean peoples' term for tobacco
110
Color ( wrapper leaf)
The general classifications of wrapper colors from lightest to darkest are: Double Claro, Claro, Colorado Claro, Colorado, Colorado Rosado, Colorado Maduro, Maduro, and Oscuro
111
Condensation Irrigation
Unique moisture produced (in the form of dew) in valleys during early morning hours and night.
112
Condiment, Tobacco
Tobaccos like Perique and Latakia which are used in small portions to "spice" up blends
113
Contrast Pairing
The process of pairing dissimilar flavors together to create an interplay which enhances the experience.
114
Copaneco
A variety of Nicotiana found growing wild in Honduras.
115
Corncob (pipe)
A traditional American pipe, the corncob's bowl is made from a dried and hollowed out cob with a reed or hollowed out piece of wood inserted for the stem and mouthpiece.
115
Corojo
One of the most famous and successful Cuban tobacco see varietals, which is shade grown and commonly used for cigar wrappers. From top to bottom, leaf classifications: Corona, Centro Gordo, Centro Fino, Centro Ligero, Uno y Medio, and Libre de Pie.
115
Corona
1) The top leaves of the Corojo plant; 2) a cigar 5 1/2 inches long and 44 rg
116
Corona Gorda
A modern favorite cigar shape measuring 6" long x 50 rg
117
Criollo
A Cuban Tobacco see varietal grown under direct sunlight and ised for fillers and binders. This varietal produces 6 to 7 pairs of leaves, from top to bottom: Ligero, Seco, Volado, (all fillers) and Capotes ( binders)
118
Cuban Seed
Dark tobacco seeds that are descended from Cuban origins, but are now typically grown in other countries.
119
Cubatabaco
Cuban organization in charge of tobacco agriculture, processing, and production; from the 1960's to the mid 1990's.
120
Cube cut
Pipe tobacco that is cut or shredded into small, square pieces that are easily blended and smoked. Burley tobaccos are the most common cube cut.
121
What are the long wooden lathes used to hold up pairs of tobacco leaves during air curing in Casas de Tobacco?
Cujes
122
Culebra
Spanish for snake; is the braiding of three loosely filled, thin cigars held together by string.
123
Curing
The drying of raw (fresh-picked) tobacco. More precisely, curing is the process of altering the chemical and organic properties of the tobacco leaves, converting starch to sugar, oxidizing sugar, losing chlorophyll, moisture. Tobacco leaves contain as much as 85% of their weight in moisture.
124
Dark tobaccos
The classification for tobaccos that are used to create cigars.
125
What is the location called in a retail's tobacconist's store, all objects have a physical location where they must be at any given time called?
Default position
126
Dehumidification
The process of drying cigars. Occurs after the second fermentation, the filler and binder gavillas are laid on racks in climate controlled dehumidification rooms for several days to let the leaf recuperate and dry out.
127
Desbotonar
Another form of pruning; the process of removing the flower buds before they bloom from the tobacco plants. This occurs at least one week prior to harvesting and prevents pollination (thereby preventing the plants from expending energy and resources on the flowers)
128
Deshijar
Similar to pruning, podar, this process occurs in the fields on maturing plants. Smaller, non-viable leaves are removed to allow nutrients to flow to the larger leaves.
129
Despalillar
Spanish for stemming. Cigar wrappers have the entire stem removed, yielding two separate parts of the leaf to wrap cigars. Filler leaves have only half of the stem removed from the bottom of the leaf, creating a "pata de rana" shape
130
What is a cigar called that is approximately 8 inches long and tapered at both ends, pointy at the head, with a bulge in the middle called?
Diademas
131
Differentiation Threshold
The sensory threshold where we can sense and precieve gradients in the tastes and smells (aromas) of a substance; lighter to heavier, milder to stronger.
132
What is the slang word for a unpalatable cigar?
Dog rocket
133
Dog walker
Describes a smaller cigar which is ideal for the short amount of time it takes to walk a dog
134
Double Claro
Also known as Jade, American Market Selection , and Candela; leaves that have been flue-or -heat cured to fix the chlorophyll levels in the leaf, producing the desired green wrapper color.
135
Double Corona
A cigar approximately 7 to 8 inches long with a RG of 49 or larger; larger than a Churchill.
136
Dry cured cigars
Cigars that are slowly baked in an oven after manufacturing. These cigars require only 12-15 percent relative humidity for preservation, approximately the same relative humidity as in a home. Popular and manufactured in Europe, dry cured cigars are usually machine-made with Sumatran, Central African, and/or Brazilian tobaccos.
137
Dublin (Pipe)
A pipe with a half-oval shaped bowl; this format may have either a bent or straight stem.
138
The brand name for a hard rubber used in making pipe stems, originally developed to mimic ebony wood?
Ebonite
139
Ebouchon
The briar burl in its most raw, post-harvest shape; ebouchons are purchased by pipe makers, dried, and stored until they are ready to be carved into pipes.
140
Enbetunando
The wetting down of tobacco with betun, a mixture of water and tobacco residues to accelerate the fermentation process.
141
Encallado
A method for growing cigar tobaccos that utilizes vertical tents or cloths as windbreaks.
142
English Blend
Pipe Tobacco; also referred to as Balkan, English Blends are composed of Oriental, Virginia, Latakia, and Perique tobaccos.
143
English Cigarette Blend
A cigarette blend consisting almost entirely of flue-cured tobacco, also referred to as Virginia. English blend cigarettes tend to have a fuller flavor than American Blends.
144
English Market Selection (EMS)
Refers to cigars which have light to medium brown wrapper color-popularized in England during the twentieth century.
145
Enpuno
Spanish for "bunch" or "fist"; demotes both the bunch as well as where and how the bunch is held by the roller.
146
Entubado bunching ( entubar)
A rolling format in which each filler leaf is rolled into itself then bunched with other individually rolled leaves. Entubado bunching/rolling, the most complex and difficult rolling method, and therefore the rarest, creates a more firmly packed and balanced cigar by providing an excellent draw.
147
Escaparte
Also known as an anejamiento room; Spanish for the aging cabinet or room where cigars are stored and married after rolling.
148
Escogida
Cuban term for "the selection". In Cuban farming villages, the escogida is a ritual and festival held while the tobacco leaf crop is graded and selected by factory representatives. Escogida can also refer to the color classification system for leaves and the room where this occurs.
149
What term refers to a specific year's crop from a specific farm or "estate"?
Estate Vintage
150
Estrujado bunching
A hybrid of entubado bunching, also known as "lazy entubado". This technique uses a base of two tobaccos leaves which are folded (semi-scrolled) and the filler leaves are scrolled and placed within it. Lastly, the entire bunch is wrapped with the binder leaf.
151
Evaporation Humidification
A humidifier that utilizes the evaporative qualities of water; typically, the surface area of the humidifier is proportionate to the size of the box and releases water at a rate that creates a relative humidity of 70 to 73 percent
152
What is the expulsion of heat and ammonia from the tobacco leaf during fermentation called?
Exhausting
153
Fabrica
A Cuban term for a cigar factory
154
Facing
The proper way to display a cigar, with the head facing up and the band facing forward.
155
Fermentation
Also known as "sweating" or "trabajando"; the natural, vigorous, and highly controlled process that accounts for the majority of taste and aroma development in cigar tobaccos. Fermentation occurs when moisture, heat, oxygen, and pressure reach optimal levels resulting in the expulsion of ammonia and other unpalatable components of the leaf. The temperature in fermentation piles are closely monitored and regulated through deconstruction and reconfiguration to prevent overheating.
156
Ferrule (pipe)
A decorative ring, usually metal, used to reinforce the wood around the end of the shank.
157
Figurado
Any cigar that is not a parejo; also known as shaped cigars
158
What are the narrow strips of paper used to seal the edges/border of cigar boxes called?
Filete
159
Fill (pipe)
Pits or imperfections in briar can be filled in with wood putty or some other reparative compound. Typically, a fill is visible to the human eye because it does not like the surrounding briar. While fills are common, a high grade briar pipe can be rejected or downgraded if fill is used.
160
Filler
The combination of distinct tobacco leaves that constitute the "guts" of the cigar. Filler must be expertly bunched to make a well-constructed cigar that will both draw and burn well.
161
Finca
Spanish for farm
162
Finish
A tasting term; describes the lingering flavors left behind on the smoker's palate
163
Fire-curing
A curing process that uses small fires in an enclosed space to flavor tobaccos. Fire-curing involves using aromatic woods as fuel, imparting flavor to the tobaccos. Fire-curing can be done after sun-curing, as is the case for Latakia tobaccos.
164
Flag
A small piece of the leaf trimmed to close the head of the cigar during cigar wrapping.
165
Flake Cut
Pipe tobacco that has been pressed into blocks and then sliced into thin, broad, flat flakes. Flake cuts must be rubbed out before smoking.
166
What is the grain pattern found on smooth finish briar pipes that has narrowing or widening streaks that mimic flame called?
Flame grain
167
Flat top
A cigar box designed to hold 25 cigars with 12 on the bottom and 13 on top; also called a 13 topper
168
Flavor
Combination of taste (mouth) and aroma (nose)
169
Flue-curing
A curing process that applies high levels of heat to tobaccos in an enclosed space. The heat dries out the leaves and fixes the sugar content of the tobacco. This technique is most commonly used on Virginia varietals which have naturally high sugar levels.
170
What is the flat and open end of the cigar and the part called that is lit?
Foot
171
Fortaleza
The Spanish term that describes the cigar strength and vigor. It can also refer to the overall sensory input (robustness) from a cigar, not just strength as it relates to nicotine.
172
Freehand
Also known as sculpted, freestyle, or carved, a freehand pipe is not a basic or classic pipe shape; rather, it is carved to highlight the best features of the briar or grain.
173
Fuma
1) Spanish name given to the QC committee that smokes and tests cigars; 2) Can also be a short filler, rustically finished cigar that may include a twisted head and a shaggy foot.
174
Fumo
A traditional Cuban term for a cigar with an unfinished "shaggy" foot and a twisted head and cap.
175
What is the workroom called wher ecigars are hand rolled?
Galera
176
Gavilla
Also known as "hand"; bunches of tobacco leaves held together by string to organize the tobacco for fermentation and anejamiento.
177
German Blend (cigarette)
Similar to an American blend, but uses more Oriental tobacco. These cigarettes have a milder taste since the tobacco is not as heavily cased and flavored as American cigarettes.
178
Goma
Spanish for "gum"; a vegetable gum; this is a natural adhesive used to seal the cigar leaves and wrapper at the head.
179
Grain disruption
A change in grain from straight/flame/burl or no grain (bald spot) to another pattern. Grain disruptions are common on many extraordinary pipes, but a briar pipe with only one grain pattern and no disruption is rare and spectacular.
180
Guajiro
A Cuban agricultural worker and/or peasant.
181
Guillotina
The cutting instrument used by the torcedore to trim the foot of the cigar after it has been rolled.
182
Gustation
The act or sense of tasting with the mouth/tongue.
183
H.T.F
Hard to find is an acronym used by cigar communities for limited edition or special release cigars.
184
Habano
A cigar rolled in Cuba, exclusively from Cuban tobacco leaves.
185
Habanos S.A.
The joint venture between the Cuban government, Cubatabaco, and the European firm, Altadis. Habanos S.A. controls the worldwide distribution and marketing of Cuban cigars. Habanos S.A. owns the trademarks for all Cuban cigar brands outside of the USA.
186
Habano Seed
A traditional Cuban seed varietal family that has been hybridized and cross-bred to create many new modern varietals. Traditional Habano seed is still used to produce many cigars throughout Central America and the Caribbean.
187
Head
The cap and shoulder of a cigar; the end of the cigar that touches the mouth.
188
Herf
Slang; 1) describes the act of drawing on a cigar; 2) a gathering of cigar lovers expressly for the consumption of cigars.
189
Homogenized Tobacco Leaf (H.T.L.)
A smokable tobacco composite of reconstituted tobacco leaf mixed with stems and cellulose. Is not a component of premium cigars and pipe tobaccos but helped to expand the machine-made cigar industry by creating cheaper alternatives.
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Hookah
An indirect smoking system that passes the smoke through water or other liquid before it is delivered to the smoker's mouth.
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Hot
Any tobacco that is transferring heat to the palate. This can be caused by smoking too quickly, or by improper cigar rolling or pipe packing. Tobacco that burns hot is not combusting at the proper rate and must be allowed to cool down.
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Humidifier
An apparatus that generates and maintains the 65 to 73 percent relative humidity needed to keep cigars optimally conditioned. Note: distilled water or the closest alternative should be used in humidifiers as minerals and other contaminants can clog the hydroscopic medium and/or taint cigars.
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Humidstat
A device used to regulate humidity through a humidifier
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Hygroscopic
The quality of ready absorption and retention of humidity in a given substance. Cigars and tobacco are hygroscopic by nature and require proper humidity to live and thrive properly.
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I.P.C.P.R.
Currently known as the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), the international Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association was founded in and is the premier organization for retail tobacconists.
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Jalapa Valley
A famous cigar tobacco growing area in the North Eastern part of Nicaragua, near the Southern border of Honduras.
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Jamastran Valley
A famous cigar tobacco growing area in the South Eastern part of Honduras near the Northern Nicaraguan border.
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Knocker (pipe)
A typically cork device that rests in an ashtray and helps pipe smokers empty their bowl by knocking the pipe rim against it.
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Large Cigars
Cigars weighing more than three pounds per one thousand cigars as defined by the US government.
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Latakia
Sun then fire-cured Oriental Tobaccos. The use of aromatic woods and fragrant herbs in the fire curing process impart a smoky quality. Too strong and smoky to be smoked alone, Latakia enhances and distinguishes other blends.
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Lector
In Cuba, a traditional professional who reads newspapers and books to the cigar rollers throughout the work day.
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Libre de pie
Spanish for "free feet"; the two leaves at the base of the Corojo plant.
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Lieberman (bunch) rolling
A rolling technique that uses the Lieberman machine to bunch and bind tobacco filler leaves. Commonly used today in premium cigar factories across the world, cigars bunched using the Lieberman machine still usually have hand applied wrappers.
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Liga
Spanish for Blend; the combination of different tobacco leaves and proportions to create a specific character and taste. In a cigar, this includes the filler, binder, and wrapper leaves.
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Ligador
Spanish for the master blender in a cigar factory
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Ligero
One of the three basic types of filler leaves and from the Criollo plant (the other two being seco and volado). From the top of the plant, ligero leaves are exposed to the most sun and renowned for being dense, rich, and robust.
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Light Tobacco
The classification for tobaccos that are used to create cigarettes and pipe tobaccos. The varietals in this category are less robust than the dark tobaccos used to make cigars.
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Like pairing
The process of pairing food and beverages with cigars that share similar flavor traits.
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Lip (pipe)
Surrounding the air hole and being located just above the bit, the part of the stem which flares open slightly to allow the teeth a place to rest.
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Lithography
The process of carving an image onto a flat stone and using pigments to replicate said image, in reverse, onto paper.
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Little cigars
Cigars weighing three pounds or less per thousand, as defined by the US government
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Long Filler
The whole leaves which are used in premium cigars: not chopped up pieces of leaf or HTL.
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Lonsdale
A long, slender cigar, usually around 6" by 42 ring gauge
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Lucite (pipe stem)
A trade name for a type of hard, durable plastic polymer commonly used for pipe stems. Although a bit hard on the teeth, Lucite stems retain their finish over long periods and are easily polished.
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Luxury Tobacco
Tobacco products which are created by master craftsmen utilizing premium quality tobacco and intended to be enjoyed while savoring your time. Luxury tobacco is never homogenized, commoditized, or used out of habit or addiction.
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Machine made
Refers to cigars that have been wrapped and bunched by machines. These are not premium cigars.
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Maduro
In its most limited sense, the term Maduro can simply refer to a dark or black wrapper color-these color wrappers can result from late priming's or stalk cutting broadleaf tobaccos. But, a true Maduro will have a wrapper which has undergone longer and /or more intense (higher temperature) fermentation that produces a richer, earthier, and sweeter flavor.
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Magnesium
An element, found in soil, that affects ash whiteness and density. Too much magnesium in the soil produces ash flaking.
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Manojo
A bundle of four gavillas.
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Manzana
A Latin American unit of measure equivalent to approximately 1.7 acres of land; its precise measure may vary from country to country.
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Marrying room
The room in which cigars, bound in bundles of fifty, are stored in cedar cabinets after rolling. The room and cabinets allow the cigars to lose some of their excessive humidity and reach a balanced state. This process is necessary because cigar tobacco is exceptionally moist during rolling.
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Mata Fina
A Brazilian Varietal of cigar tobacco that is sun grown in the Reconcavo Basin. It produces excellent oscuro and maduro wrappers. The flavor profile is typically rich, mild to medium in strength, very aromatic, and naturally sweet.
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Maturation
The point at which tobacco leaves are ready for priming; at maturation, the leaves lay horizontally, the center vein has a yellowish color, and they cut away naturally freely.
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Mazo
Spanish term for a bundle of 25 or more commonly 50 cigars.
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Media Rueda
Spanish term meaning "half wheel"; a bundle of 50 cigars.
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Meerschaum
German term meaning "sea foam"; a light, clay-like mineral that is primarily found in Turkey, resembling ivory. Meerschaum has become synonymous for the intricately carved pipes that are created from it.
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Meerschaum (pipe)
Pipes carved from meerschaum which are renowned for their intricate carvings.
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Mojo
The thorough wetting of gavillas/tobacco leaves.
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Mold, Cigar
A fungus that appears as a woolly growth found on damp and/or decaying organic matter, rendering the cigars un-smokable.
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Mortise
The hole carved into the shank of the pipe, into which the tenon is fit, connecting the bowl to the mouthpiece.
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Natural (wrapper color)
Term describing a light brown wrapper color; ranging from Claro to Colorado Rosado.
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Natural Cavendish
Pipe tobacco that is steamed, usually with sugars or flavoring in the water, and pressed for an additional curing/fermentation period. Natural Cavendish differs from Black Cavendish in that it goes through a less vigorous pressing, yielding a milder flavor.
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Navy Cut
Also known as a navy plug, given the name because sailors would fill a long canvas tube with tobacco and flavorings (rum, fruits, spices), then twist the tube tight. mimicking the pressing process. This technique created a dense rope of tobacco about an inch thick from which plugs were sliced off. Tobacco prepared in this manner must be rubbed out to be smokable.
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Nicotiana
A genus of plants containing approximately 60 species, most of which are found in the Americas. Of the 14 species found in North America, 9 were used by Native Americans for various purposes; 2 of those 9 were consumed by smoking, Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana Tabacum.
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Nicotiana Rustica
One of approximately sixty species of Nicotiana. During the Pre-Columbian era, N. Rustica was popular among the indigenous North Americans, prior to the arrival of N. Tabacum from Central and South America. N. Rustica contains 20 times more nicotine than N. Tabacum. Although N. Rustica represents only a small fraction of global tobacco production today, its use and commercial production is well documented into the 17th century.
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Nicotiana Tabacum
Tobacco; the most famous species in the Nicotiana family, N. Tabacum is the largest cash crop on earth and is found exclusively as a cultivated species. N. Tabacum does not grow in the wild.
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Nicotine
A naturally occurring biphasic, organic compound in the same family of substances as caffeine. Nicotine is found in tobacco plants and to a lesser degree in tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes, and eggplant.
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Nitrogen
An element found in soil that increases root growth, nicotine content, plant yield, leaf width and luster.
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Non-Aromatic
A pipe tobacco to which no additional flavoring/casing has been added. This term is something of a misnomer since these, like all tobaccos, produce aromas.
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Nub
The last one to two inches of a cigar; may refer to "smoking past the band"
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Nutrient Erosion
A result of the topography of valleys that allows nutrients to flow over time from surrounding hills and mountains into the valley.
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Oil
Exuded by tobacco leaves as they age, oils are the result of well-conditioned cigars.
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Olor
The Spanish word for "smell"; a variety of Dominican cigar tobacco that has large leaves commonly used in filler and binder. Olor tobacco can have a distinctly dry flavor or a drying effect on the mouth.
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Organoleptic
Being, affecting or relating to qualities such as taste, odor, color, and the feel of a substance that stimulates the senses.
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Oriental
Tobacco grown mostly in Southern Europe and the Middle East; this plant has relatively small leaves and produces fragrant, dry flavor profiles with low nicotine and sugar content. Oriental tobacco is typically primed, sun-cured and fermented.
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Orthonasal Olfaction
Smelling odors that travel directly through the nose to the olfactory nerves.
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Oscuro
The blackest shade of tobacco leaf, but not necessarily a maduro. Typically Mexican and Brazilian Broadleaf varietals can achieve this color without going through the additional maduro fermentation.
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Panatela
Slender cigar shape, traditionally 6" by 38 ring gauge, though frequently longer.
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Parejo
Straight sided cigars; also known as standard or straight cigars, as opposed to figurado cigars.
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Passive Humidifier
A passive humidifier has no electrical or moving parts and works on simple evaporative and chemical equilibrium principles. Passive humidifiers are intended for smaller humidification needs and commonly used in travel and desktop humidors.
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Pelo de Oro
Spanish for "golden hair". It refers to a potent Cuban cigar varietal which was popular in the early and middle 1900's. This tobacco could be used for wrapper and filler as well, but it is disease prone and can infest entire crops and regions so it is rarely grown today. Pelo de Oro can be considered a campesino or guajiro tobacco since many agricultural workers grow and smoke it to this day, especially in the central part of Cuba. It is known for being quite strong and flavorful as well as sweet.
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Perfecto
A cigar approximately four to six inches long, tapered at both ends, with a rounded head and bulbous at the center.
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Perique
A Burley tobacco grown only in St. James Parish, Louisiana. Perique is air- cured then fermented in oak barrels to produce an extremely robust tobacco with high nicotine levels. Perique is primarily used as a condiment in pipe tobacco blends and occasionally in cigarettes.
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Picadura
Spanish term for "short filler", or scraps of tobacco; 2) small, underdeveloped leaves that grow just under the tobacco flower and above the ligero/corona leaves. The Spanish term "picadura" translates to "bite hard/strong"
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Piercer
Also called a lance, a cutter used to poke small holes through the head of a cigar.
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Pig Tail
A cigar head finishing technique that rolls the flag into a tight scroll then ties it into a knot. Pig-tails can easily be bitten off in lieu of cutting.
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Pilone
In the context of the two stage fermentation model taught by TU, a one to three foot tall pile of tobacco in which the initial fermentation occurs. Today, in countries like Honduras and the Dominican Republic, pilone can refer to any fermentation pile.
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Piloto
A varietal family of filler tobacco that originated in Cuba but is now commonly cultivated in the Dominican Republic and Central America.
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Pinch test (pipe tobacco)
A method for evaluating pipe tobacco's fitness for smoking and/or storage. Take a small clump of pipe tobacco between the thumb and forefinger and gently squeeze it together. If it makes a crackling sound or breaks, it is probably too dry to smoke and definitely too dry for storing or aging. If it sticks together for more than a few seconds, it is too moist for smoking, storing or aging.
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Pit
Also known as a "sand pit"; a naturally occurring concave depression in the briar. Pits are found on all briar, so even extraordinary pipes many have a pit or two. If the pit is not too large, the pipe maker may leave it exposed and not fill it in. Usually, only close scrutiny will revel these minor blemishes.
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Plancha
Spanish for iron; the wooden boards on which tobacco leaves are placed before fermentation.
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Plug
An obstruction in the draw of a cigar, resulting from poor craftsmanship or inferior raw materials.
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Plug (cut)
A slice of tobacco from a dense, rope like blend.
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Plume
Also known as bloom; a naturally occurring byprodct of cigar aging. As the cigar exudes oils through the wrapper, the oils crystallize on the outside and form a white powder-like substance. Plume can be wiped off with no negative consequences.
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Poder
Spanish for pruning; the process of trimming down seedlings while they are still in the semilleros. By cutting off between half and two-thirds of each tobacco leaf, agronomists force the plant to spend its energy on root and stalk development instead of on the leaves.
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Poker (pipe)
1) a pipe with a cylindrical, flat bottomed bowl; 2) a slender piece of metal that is used to aerate and loosen tobacco in a pipe bowl as well as clear the pipe's air hole.
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Popular
A Cuban term for a cigar made exclusively for the local Cuban market and not exported.
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Pot (pipe)
A billiard shaped pipe, but with a shorter bowl.
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Potassium
An element found in soil; has an important relationship to the burn rate of tobacco.
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Pre-carbonized (pipe)
A finish applied to the briar bowl chamber which intends to mimic the effects of carbonization.
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Pre-light
The term used to describe the characteristics of a tobacco before it is lit and smoked.
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Premium Cigar
Made only from natural, long leaf tobacco and crafted by hand.
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Press, cigar
An apparatus that exerts pressure on cigar molds, compressing the tobacco into a cylindrical shape.
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Pressed tobacco
Pipe tobacco contained under pressure exerted by a machine. Pressing for hours or days can help different tobacco flavors marry as well as create a manageable brick that can be packaged, aged, and/or flake cut. Under the proper conditions, long-term pressing, as done with Cavendish Tobaccos, can lead to fermentation, dramatically changing and developing the tobacco.
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Priming
Harvesting premium tobacco two or three leaves at a time, approximately once a week. The process starts at the bottom of the plant and continues upward, allowing the top leaves to get more sun and reach optimal maturation before being picked; the higher the priming, the stronger the tobacco.
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Propylene Glycol
Organic, liquid alcohol that mixes well with water in any proportion. PG is used in reverse osmosis humidification systems to assist in regulating humidity levels in humidors; mostly, it inhibits water evaporation.
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Puro
Describes a cigar in which all the tobacco comes from the same country. Puro can also be a generic Spanish term used to describe any cigar.
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Puro Integritas
The Tobacconist University motto; it is a hybrid of Spanish, Latin, and double entendre, Puro Integritas refers to "Pure Integrity" and "Cigar Integrity"
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Pyramid
Also pyramide and piramide; a cigar that is tapered to a point at the head and blossoms toward the cylindrical foot.
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Quisqueyas
The Spanish word used in the Dominican Republic for casas de tobaco or air-curing barns.
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Random Grain
A grain pattern that is not uniform; this may include a combination of straight, flame, burl/bird's eye, and/or bald spots where no distinguished pattern is present.
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Ready rubbed
Flake cut pipe tobacco that has been broken up prior to packaging.
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Reamer
A pipe toll used to clean out excess char from the bowl and facilitate an even cake. Pipe reamers are shaped to fit inside the chamber and spread out to apply even pressure along the interior walls. When turned, they remove char and compress existing cake.
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Recognition Threshold
The sensory threshold where we are able to sense specific tastes and smells.
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Reconstituted Tobacco Sheet
R.T.S; developed by R.J Reynolds in the 1930's R.T.S is comprised of stems, leaf, cellulose, additives, flavorings, and ingredients that are formed into sheets of "paper" and then shredded to be used in cigarette manufacturing.
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Relative Humidity
The measure of humidity expressed as a percentage of the moisture content in the air. Ideal humidity for long-term preservation of cigars is 70 percent RH.
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Remedios
A tobacco growing region in central Cuba which includes Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, and Sancti Spiritus provinces.
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Retro-Haling
The act of moving smoke from the back of the mouth, up through the sinuses, and exhaling through the nasal passage.
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Reverse osmosis humidification
A humidification process that utilizes propylene glycol (PG) and water to create the desired humidity. PG primarily acts as a buffer in the humidifier so that water is not released too quickly.
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Ribbon cut
Pipe tobacco cut into thin, long ribbons. This cut is shorter and thicker than a shag cut.
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Ring Gauge (RG)
A unit of measure that describes the diameter of the cigar in sixty-fourths of an inch in North America; in Cuba and Europe, ring gauge is measured in millimeters.
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Robusto
A contemporary American favorite vitola, the size is approximately 5" x 50 (RG)
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Roto
Spanish term meaning broken; refers to damaged or broken wrapper leaves after they are sorted.
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Royal Palm
Roystnea regia, also known as the Cuban Royal Palm, grows between forty and fifty feet, its leaves are commonly used for roofing tobacco barns and its bark for making tercios.
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Rubbing out
The process of breaking up a dense tobacco in the palm of the hand. Place tobacco in one palm and apply gentle pressure to the tobacco with the other palm while moving your hands in circular motions. This will loosen and break up the tobacco enough to prepare it for smoking. Rubbing out is typically necessary with flake and plug tobaccos.
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Rusticated Finish
A deliberately roughened external surface on a briar. This process produces a more sophisticated finish than sand-blasting because it is achieved through more tedious hand tooling.
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Sabroso
Spanish for savory or tasty
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San Andres Negro
The most famous Mexican cigar varietal grown in the San Andres Valley, San Andres Negro was traditionally a stalk cut tobacco, which produces excellent binder and maduro wrappers. Due to the toughness and resilience of the leaf, it holds up well during the extra fermentation required to produce maduro wrappers.
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San Vincente
A varietal family now widely grown in the Dominican Republic. The cigar tobacco is commonly used for filler and binder; San Vincente varietals are a little lighter than Piloto and can have a mouthwatering effect and be a little acidic; they are not as dry as Olor varietals.
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Sandblast Finish
A briar pipe finish technique which utilizes compressed air and sand or other particulate to remove excess wood from the pipe. The result is textured, rustic finish.
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Savory
The taste sensation produced by umami. The Spanish word equivalent is sabroso. More generally, savory can be something that is pleasing to the sense of taste, by way of seasoning, that is not characteristically sweet.
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Scissor, Cigar
Unlike regular scissors, these scissors are shaped specifically to make a precise cut to the head of the cigar.
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Scraper, Pipe
A spoonlike pipe tool used to remove excess char from the pipe chamber. Scrapers can potentially damage the cake, making reamers the more preferred tool for this task.
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Seasoning
The process of slowly raising the moisture level in a humidor until the desired humidity is reached.
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Seco
Filler tobacco leaves from the center of the Criollo plant. For other varietals, seco can refer to the lower primings. Seco leaves are valued for their moderate flavor and good burning qualities; they are not as thick as Ligero or as light as Volado.
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Second (cigars)
Cigars that have not met the aesthetic or construction standards of the manufacturer and are sold un-banded and without boxes.
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Seed families
The five major cigar seed varietal families are Mata fina, Broadleaf, Habanesis (Habano), Sumatra, and San Andres. All contemporary see varietals originate from one of these families.
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Semilleros
Nurseries where see germinate for approximately forty five days before being transplanted to the fields.
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Shade-grown
Tobacco, typically wrappers, grown under cheesecloth (tapados) to minimize the harsh rays of sun. Shade-grown tobaccos have a more uniform appearance and a subtler and delicate flavor. Shade-grown leaves are also a little thinner and more elastic than sun-grown leaves.
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Shag cut
Tobacco that is finely cut or shredded into long threads that are thinner and longer than a ribbon cut. Virginia tobaccos lend themselves to this cut because of their large size. This cut is common for natural R.Y.O. cigarette tobaccos as well.
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Shaggy foot
When the wrapper leaf is left un-trimmed on the foot of the cigar. This shaggy wrapper can be removed or lit to start the cigar.
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Shank (pipe)
Part of the pipe's bowl and carved from the same ebouchon or block of meerscaum. The shank contains the air hole and connects the bowl to the stem.
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Shisha
Also sheesha; tobacco used for hookah smoking. Shisha is typically pre-moistened with water, honey and/or molasses and flavored with fruit and/or spices. Shisha is too moist to smoke with a simple flame, so it must be kept lit by placing a hot coal on top of it.
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Short filler
The chopped up pieces of tobacco used as filler in non-premium cigars. Short filler burns quicker and with far less complexity than long filler leaf.
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Shoulder
The rounded curve that transitions from the body to the head of the cigar. After properly cutting the head of the cigar, some shoulder should remain to keep the cigar from unraveling.
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Smemory
A word coined by TU to emphasize the strong connection between olfaction/smell, memory and emotions.
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Smooth (finish)
A briar pipe that has been sanded and polished to reveal the grain as much as possible; smooth briars can be naturally treated or dyed with stain to achieve a variety of shades and colors.
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Snuff
A ground up, powder like tobacco that is inhaled or "snuffed". Snuffing tobacco was popularized in Europe. In America, snuff can refer to dipping tobacco which is placed in the mouth, between the gums and mouth wall.
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Snus
Like snuff (and dip), snus is powderized tobacco that is placed between the lip and gums. Popular in Sweden and Norway, this type of snuff is typically steam or flue-cured, not fermented, and contains no added sugar. Snus use typically does not require spitting. It is illegal in the EU, except Norway and Sweden.
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Spice
A physical sensation that varies from tingling to stinging in the mouth, back of the throat, palate, throughout our nasal passages and nose.
320
Spill
Cedar strips used for lighting cigars. These can be procured from the Spanish Cedar dividers used to separate rows of cigars in boxes.
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Spot carved (finish/pipe)
Spot carving normally refers to a hand-carved decorative accent on a pipe, but it is usually employed to cover up a flaw in the briar.
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Stalk-Curing
The process of air curing tobacco leaves while they are still attached to the stalk. Stalk-Curing can be applied to Stalk- Cut or Stalk- Primed tobaccos. This process takes longer and is more expensive than traditional air-curing but it nourishes the leaves with nutrients from the stalk- creating an extraordinary end product.
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Stalk Cut
A plant which is harvested all at once by cutting the stalk, low to the ground. Unlike primed plant leaves, the stalk and all of the leaves are harvested at one time. This technique is common with Broadleaf and San Andres Negro tobaccos that are typically used for maduro and oscuro color wrappers.
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Stalk- Priming
As with priming, this process involves harvesting approximately a pair of leaves per week, but starts at the top and works down the plant. In addition, leaves are picked with a small pieces of the stalk intact, holding the leaf pairs together. Keeping the stalk with the leaves is said to fortify and "feed" the leaves during air-curing. The picked stalk-leaves are draped over long sticks (cujes) and dried for 24 hours outdoors, then moved into curing barns. These leaves take up much more room in the barns and take up to 90 days to cure (two to three times longer than primed leaves). This technique was more common during the early 20th century but is rarely used today.
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Stem (pipe)
Also referred to as mouthpiece or bit, the stem of a pipe incorporates the lip, bit, air hole, and tenon, which connects to the briar/meerschaum at the shank.
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Stemming
Either partial or total removal of the stem in a tobacco leaf. Wrappers have the entire stem removed, yielding two separate parts of the leaf; filler leaves have only half the stem removed from the bottom, creating the pata de rana (frogs legs) shape.
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Stockholm Cigar Syndrome
The psychological response in cigar sales representatives who fall in love with their own mediocre or bad products. The same can happen to consumers and tobacconists.
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Stogie
Slang for cheroot, names after the cigar making region of Conestoga, PA where the inexpensive cigars were popular with wagon drivers during the 1800's.
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Straight Cut
The flat cut produced by guillotine and double guillotine cigar cutters.
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Straight Grain
A grain pattern found on smooth finish briar pipes with straight line like markings
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Straight Pipe
A pipe characterized by a straight shank and stem. Straight pipes are inclined to transmit more heat directly to the palate than bent pipes.
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Strength (tobacco)
The intensity of the nicotine in the cigar or pipe tobacco.
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Sucker
Secondary leaves on tobacco plants that must be removed so nutrients will flow to the primary leaves. Every plant in every field has these "sucker" leaves and they must be meticulously removed by hand.
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Sugar
The naturally occurring organic compounds found in all tobacco, to varying degrees. Both curing and fermentation can fix and/or develop the sugars in tobacco.
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Sun-grown
This term refers to tobacco grown in direct sunlight; this intense process creates thicker, more robust leaves, with more pronounced veins.
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Sun-curing
The process of exposing harvested leaves to direct sunlight; this takes between a few days and a few weeks and releases moisture, preparing the leaf for fermentation. Sun-curing is most commonly used on Oriental tobaccos.
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Sunlight Manipulation
While sunlight can be manipulated with shade cloth, this term refers to the effect of mountains, surrounding valleys, shading out part of the early and late day sun.
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Surullo
A small, cigar-like roll of tobacco leaves created from one type of leaf. Surullos are used to taste and sample individual leaf types.
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Tabacalera
Spanish term for cigar factory.
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Tabaquero
Spanish term for cigar roller, cigar dealer, or someone in the cigar business.
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Tabla
The surface used by torcedores to roll cigars on, made from a very hard wood and placed on top of the rolling table as a work surface.
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Tallo
Spanish word for stalk or trunk, as it relates to plants.
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Tamp
The act of gently packing down the tobacco in the bowl of a pipe in order to keep it lit.
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Tamper
A tool used to pack pipe tobacco. Inexpensive tampers can scratch and damage the bowl of a pipe, making softer metals, such as pewter, preferable to discriminating pipe smokers.
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Tapado
1) The cheesecloth-like material used to cover shade-grown tobacco; 2) Spanish term for shade-grown tobacco.
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Taste
1) noun a; the human sense that perceives and distinguishes salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami.
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Tasting Methodology
Also referred to as "tasting", this is a simple set of guidelines to follow when evaluating tobacco products; Observation, Description and Comparison, and Evaluation.
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Temsco
A type of machine which assists in the cigar filler bunching process, much like a Lieberman machine. Cigars which are bunched using the Lieberman or Temsco machine usually have the wrapper applied by hand and are considered premium cigars.
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Tenon
The projection at the end of the pipe stem that fits into the mortise of the bowl.
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Tercios
Palm bark bundles used to package fine tobacco wrappers for aging. The bark is wet down and tightly molded around tobacco piles, tied shut, and then becomes hard like plastic once dried.
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TobaccAromatherapy
Term coined by TU in 1998 to describe the beneficial and therapeutic effects of pleasant tobacco aromas.
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Tobacco Beetle
Lasioderma Serricorne. Found in both food and tobacco, under proper conditions, these eggs can develop into larvae, pupae, and finally adult beetles. During their short lifetime, tobacco beetles can eat through cigars, leaving them ruined and strewn with holes.
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Tobacconist
An expert dealer in tobacco and the related accoutrements.
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Tooth
The grainy texture found on some tobacco leaves; mainly Cameroon leaves.
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Topping
Removing the flower from the top of the tobacco plant. This process allows the plant to focus on leave production.
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Topping (pipe tobacco)
The process of adding a top coat of flavoring to aromatic tobaccos.
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Torcedor
Spanish term for "cigar roller"
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Torpedo
A cigar tapered at both the head and the foot.
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Touch up
The process of evening the burn of a cigar; usually done by lighting the outer wrapper to accelerate the burn rate so the cigar will burn evenly.
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Transplanting
Re-planting tobacco seedlings from the semillero into the ground.
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Trichome
Very small hair like outgrowths found on plant leaves. Tobacco leaves, in addition to being very thick and sticky with resin, have trichomes on their outer surface. The trichome help the leaf absorb moisture and reflect excessive radiation. After tobacco is rolled into a cigar, the trichomes may still be visible and will help inhibit the evaporation of oils from the cigar's wrapper.
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Trick pipe
An uncommon or non-traditional pipe that may have some novel or useful feature including folding pipes, pipes with hidden tampers, etc.
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Tripa
Cuban term for cigar filler tobaccos; literally means "guts"
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Tripe Cap
The parejo head finishing technique which uses a small tear-drop shaped piece of tobacco woven into the wrapper, to close the open head. After the head is closed, a perfect circle of tobacco (cap) is cut with the casquillo and placed on top to create a finished look. It is called the triple-cap because the cigar head appears to have several seams.
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Tubo
Spanish for "tube"; tubos are used to packaging to help protect cigars.
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Turkish cigarette
Cigarettes made primarily from Oriental tobaccos, which are lower in nicotine than Virginia tobacco but convey a rich flavor.
367
Twist
Pipe tobacco made from leaves that are twisted together like a rope mimicking the pressing process.
368
Umami
The fifth taste, described in Japanese as "deliciousness." Umami is also defined as savory. Specifically, unami is the taste of L-glutamate, the dominant amino acid in living things. Umami taste is common in fermented foods, aged cheese, meat, ketchup, tomatoes, mushrooms, bouillon/broth, soy sauce, MSG, and breast milk.
369
Uno y Medio
Spanish of "one and a half"; the second level of leaves from the bottom of the Corojo plant, just above the Libre de Pie
370
V Cutter
also called a "wedge" or "cats eyes"; the type cutter digs a wedge-shaped slice out of the head of the cigar.
371
Varietal
A specific and unique seed strain.
372
Varietal family
A broader category which usually includes many specific varietals. In the cigars and pipe tobacco industry, varietal families like Burley, Virginia, Oriental and Broadleaf are often referenced when the actual seed varietals being used are more specific.
373
Vega
The specific plot of land on a farm where tobacco growing takes place.
374
Veguero
1) Spanish for "plantation worker"; 2) a cigar made from a single tobacco leaf or type of tobacco leaf.
375
Vein
Part of a leaf's structure; overly large veins can hinder the viability and attractiveness of wrapper leaves.
376
Vintage
This frequently used term should refer to the year tobacco in a particular cigar or pipe tobacco is harvested. In most cases it will refer to a specific leaf/component like the wrapper or fillers. In the absence of international standards, there is some ambiguity when the term is used; as some cigar makers can misuse the term simply to make their cigars seem older and/or more attractive.
377
Virginia
Also "bright tobacco"; a tobacco varietal that is naturally high in sugar content and typically flue-cured; used in cigarettes and pipe tobaccos.
378
Viso
Spanish term used to describe the specific size and shape characteristics of a cigar within a given brand.
379
Vitola de Galera
Name for a cigar's shape and size as referred to in Cuban cigar factories.
380
Vitola de Salida
Name for a cigar's shape and size in the marketplace.
381
Vitolphilia
The collection and study of cigar bands and labels.
382
Volado
Filler leaves from the bottom of the Criollo plant. Volado leaves are valued for their mildness and easy burning qualities.
383
Vulcanite
A hard vulcanized rubber that is widely used in pipe stems. Although it is easier on the teeth than other stem materials, vulcanite tends to tarnish more than other materials.
384
Wilde
A cigarillo whose filler leaves protrude from the wrapper at the foot.
385
Wrapper
Applied to the outside of the cigar, this is the most delicate, expensive, and (ideally) perfect leaf used in cigar construction. In addition, wrapper leaves contribute significantly to the flavor of the cigar since they are touching the mouth and tongue.
386
Yute
Spanish for "burlap"
387
Zafado
The shaking loose of gavillas after they arrive at the factory.
