L'académie du cigare, All about cigars
Cigar Bunching" or the art of cigar bunching
Feb
Discover the specificities of Cigar Bunching and its impact on final quality final quality of a cigar...
The art of cigar making involves a meticulous process that combines tradition, expertise and craftsmanship. Before arriving on your retailer's shelves, a cigar passes through many hands and undergoes various stages of transformation. Cigar bunching is one of the most important of these. This method of assembling tobacco leaves is responsible for the final structure of a cigar, and influences its flavour, draw and combustion. It thus directly conditions the quality of the tasting experience. In this article, we'd like to take you on a journey of discovery into the crucial, but often overlooked, technique of Cigar Bunching.
What is Cigar Bunching?
The term "Cigar Bunching" refers to the process ofassembling the different tobaccos that make up the heart of a cigar. This takes place after leaf selection and before wrapping. As a general rule, the bunching technique involves assembling 3 different tobacco leaves, but some cigars may contain up to 5 leaves in their filler, or even more.
Theblending of tobacco leaves is a crucial stage in cigar production, since it determines the quality of combustion and draw, as well as the final rendering of flavors. However, this stage must comply with very precise blending rules in order to meet the quality requirements of top-of-the-range cigars.
The torcedor's role in leaf assembly
The "Cigar Bunching" method is generally performed by a torcedorbut can also be performed by a bonchero. While the torcedor masters the entire cigar-rolling process, from bunching to wrapping, the bonchero only assembles the tobacco leaves to form the bunch.
An experienced torcedor needs to do more than simply arrange tobacco leaves into a bouquet. He or she must know the characteristics of the different tobaccos and be able to combine their aromas harmoniously to guarantee exceptional flavor rendition. This involvesusing the right quantity of tobacco,organizing the leaves appropriately and choosing the best bunching technique for the type of cigar desired. Blending the bunch is a subtle alchemy where art and science meet.
The rules of Cigar Bunching
The "Cigar Bunching" technique involves adhering to a precise assembly sequence. This prevents the formation of irregularities during burning, such as canoeing and excavation. A well-constructed tripe should therefore contain 3 types of leafThese are the volado, seco and ligero, and must respect a specific order.
The leaf of ligerowhich adds strength to the cigar, but burns poorly due to its high nicotine and sugar content, should be placed in the center of the filler, as this is where the combustion temperature is highest. The secowhich offers a wide range of aromas and is moderately combustible, should be placed in the middle, while the voladowhich has excellent combustibility but little aroma, should form the outside of the tripe.
The different methods of Cigar Bunching
Bunching techniques vary according to a cigar's characteristics, size and manufacturer's preferences. These choices have an influence on the firmness of the draw, the quality of the burn and the way the flavours blend together during tasting. Generally speaking, there are 4 blending methods commonly used by premium cigar makers.
The Entubado method
This blending method is one of the most sophisticated. It involves rolling each tobacco leaf individually into a tube shape, then assembling them to form the bunch. The idea is to create a more open draw by facilitating air circulation between the leaves. It also promotes uniform combustion andenhances the perception of aromas and flavors.
Because of its complexity, this technique takes a long time and is therefore reserved for limited-production cigars. It is used on exceptional cigars such as the Cohiba Behike, Davidoff Royal Release, Fuente Fuente Opus X and Padrón Serie 1926.
The Accordion method
As the name suggests, the "accordion" method involves folding the edges of each leaf inwards, then placing all the leaves on top of each other to form an accordion. It's easier to implement than theentubado technique, and offers greater flexibility, enabling it to be adapted to different cigar shapes.
This method favors air circulation during combustion andenhances the complexity of flavors.
The "Book" method
The "Book" method is quite similar to the "accordion" technique, but is more common than the latter because of its simplicity. It consists of superimposing tobacco leaves like the pages of a book, then folding them on themselves to form the bunch.
This technique has the advantage of creating a solid, regular structure. It also promotes uniform combustion. Nevertheless, this method does not allow as much air to pass through as other bunching techniques, which can result in less flavor rendition and a tighter draw. It is used in particular in the manufacture of the Ashton Symmetry line.
Combining different methods
Some torcedors combine different bunching techniques to meet specific manufacturing criteria. They may, for example, use theentubado method for the center of the bunch and theaccordion method for the edges. Because of their specific shape, Figurados and Perfectos are generally rolled using this technique.
The main advantage of this method lies in its ability to adapt to different cigar shapes, allowing for greater customization of the bunch. It is, however, a difficult technique to implement and is generally only practiced by the most experienced torcedors. It can be found on Drew Estate'sLiga Privada No. 9 .
F.A.Q
How does the "Cigar Bunching" method influence the flavor of a cigar?
The "Cigar Bunching" method can influence the way tobacco leaves interact during combustion, affecting the complexity of flavors. Proper construction allows each leaf to play its part in a cigar's aromatic profile.
Is information on the bunching methods used by manufacturers available to the public?
Details of the bunching methods used by manufacturers are not always publicly disclosed. However, some brands communicate their manufacturing practices and may provide information on the bunching method used.
What's the best way to "Cigar Bunch"?
There is no single "Cigar Bunching" method that prevails over another. Each method has its own advantages and influences cigar construction in different ways. Preference often depends on the manufacturer, cigar type and specific manufacturing requirements.
Is the "Cigar Bunching" method used only for premium cigars?
Although the "Cigar Bunching" method is commonly used for premium cigars, it can also be used to make "machine-made" cigars. Cigars made using this method are generally less expensive and offer a lower quality than those assembled by hand.