Cigar vocabulary

When you begin your cigar initiation, you're quickly struck by the complexity of this universe, which combines the pleasure of tasting with the richness of a specific culture. More than just an object of pleasure, cigars are a discipline in their own right. It has its own specific codes and lexicon, which you need to master if you want to develop your knowledge of the subject. To help you in your task, we've put together some of the terms most commonly used to describe cigars and their world.

Cigar anatomy vocabulary

Cape (or wrapper): tobacco leaf that wraps the filler and the Binder of a cigar. It is generally chosen for its finesse, elegance and good combustibility. 

Binder (or binder): tobacco leaf that covers the filler and protects the wrapper from tearing.

Filler: the central part of the cigar, generally made up of a mixture of whole or chopped tobacco leaves.

Foot : the part of the cigar that holds the cap and towards which the flame is directed to light the cigar.

Head: the part of the cigar that is usually cut and brought to the mouth.

Cigar cap: the part of the cigar at the foot of the cigar that is cut off before lighting. This is the finishing touch used by torcedors to hold the Wrapper in place.

Poupée: refers to the tobacco leaves that make up the filler and the Binder.

Calibre (or cepo): diameter of a cigar.

Module : All the physical characteristics of a cigar (diameter, length and shape).

Bague : paper ring at the top of a cigar, bearing the name of its manufacturer.

Claro, Double Claro, Colorado Claro, Colorado, Colorado Maduro, Maduro and Oscuro: cap color shades from light to dark brown.

Cigar-tasting vocabulary

Strength : the strength of a cigar (mild, medium, full-bodied).

Body: sensations experienced in the mouth during tasting.

Roundness: an assembly of aromas that are straightforward, with no rough edges (as opposed to "melted").

Taste: all the flavors of a cigar.

Flavors : the gustatory impressions of a cigar (sweet, salty, bitter and acidic flavors).

Aromas: the olfactory or retroolfactory impressions of a cigar (vegetal, spicy, earthy, mineral, fruity, toasted, etc.).

Cigar-making vocabulary

Puro : a cigar made from tobacco leaves grown in the same area.

Habano: cigar made in Cuba from tobacco leaves grown on the island. It is a protected designation of origin (PDO).

Blend: a cigar made from tobacco leaves from different terroirs.

Torcedor: factory employee in charge of rolling cigars. 

Veguero : farm laborer working on tobacco plantations.

Vitola de salida: refers to the trade name of a brand or range of cigars.

Vitola de galera: refers to the official format of a cigar (its shape, length and diameter).

Ligero: name given to the leaves at the top of a tobacco plant. They define the strength of a cigar.

Seco : name given to the leaves in the middle of a tobacco plant. These are the leaves responsible for a cigar's aromatic panel.

Volado: name given to the lower leaves of the tobacco plant, which ensure a cigar's combustibility.

Totalmente a mano: a cigar made entirely by hand.

Hecho a mano : a cigar whose wrapper and Binder are rolled by hand, but whose filler (short) is generally made by machine.

Sun Grown: type of open-air tobacco growing. 

Shade Grown: type of tobacco cultivation in the shade.

Cigar vocabulary

Parejos (straight cigars) :

Small corona : Module size L. 125 mm; ø 16-17 mm.

Corona: Closed-head module, usually cylindrical; special L 140 mm; l 15-17 mm.

Gran corona : Module size L. 140-150 mm; ø 16-19 mm.

Double Corona Module size L. 190 mm; ø 20 mm.

Panetela: Module size L. 100-170 mm; ø 10 mm.

Gran Panetela: Module size L. 190 mm; ø 15 mm.

Robusto : Module size L. 121-127 mm; ø 19-20 mm.

Lonsdale : Module size L. 150 mm; ø 16-17 mm.

Churchill: Module size: L. 170mm; ø 17 - 19 mm.

Especial : Module size L. 235-240 mm; ø 19 mm.

Figurados (non-straight cigars) :

Shell: Standard dimensions 156 x 20.64 mm.

Perfecto : Module with round head and pointed foot.

Torpedo: Pyramid-type module.

Belicoso: Standard dimensions 140 x 20.64 mm.

Pyramid : Full-length conical cigar. Standard dimensions L. 148-179 ;

ø 16-20 mm.

Culebra: Standard dimensions: 146 x 15.48.

Cigarillos Term used for small cigars with both ends already cut.

Other common terms 

Civette : outlet specializing in the sale of cigars and cigar-related items.

Humidor : humidor for cigars.

Hygrometer: Instrument for measuring air humidity.

Aficionado : passionate cigar enthusiast.