Why Cigars Differ in Flavor

Did you ever wonder why cigars vary in body and flavor? There are certain factors that determine the body and flavor of a cigar. These are the blend of tobacco in the cigar, the condition of the cigar when smoked, the age of the cigar when smoked, and the state of ones palate when the cigar is smoked.

The Blend

The characteristics of the leaf when it arrives at the factory is determined by the soil where the tobacco is grown, the weather conditions of the growing season, and the skill of the people who manage the fermentation and aging of the bale after the tobacco is harvested.

As I explained in an earlier article, the ligero, seco, and volado leafs come form different parts of the tobacco leaf and all will have different characteristics. The blender of the cigar must know how these leaves harmonize with each other to keep the desired flavor of a particular brand. Only then can a blender determine how much ligero, seco, and volado to put into the blend. For a richer flavored cigar you would put more ligero leaf and less of the volado leaf; for a lighter cigar you would put more volado leaf and less ligero leaf.

There has been great debate over the years on whether the wrapper has any significant influence on the flavor of the cigar. Cuban producers claim the wrapper has little influence while producers from other countries tend to believe the wrapper accounts for 50 percent or more of the overall flavor of the cigar. If you asked my opinion, I would have to agree with the non-Cuban producers. The darker wrappers being more sweet and the lighter wrappers being more neutral.

The Condition of the Cigar

How well a cigar burns is greatly determined by the moisture content of the cigar. If the cigar is too wet, it most likely will require constant re-lighting. The excess moisture will also give the cigar a sharp taste. Over-dry cigars will burn to hot and will have a dusty taste. Over-dry cigars also tend to burst when smoked.

To make sure your cigar has the right moisture content you can do this simple test. Place the cigar between your thumb and index finger and squeeze gently. If the cigar is to dry, it will be hard and brittle. Also, the wrapper may crack. If the cigar is to wet, it will be soft and spongy. If the is in cigar good condition, it will feel firm but springy.

The Age of the Cigar

For years suppliers and retailers would age their cigars for many years before offering the cigars for sale to consumers. Now it is very rare to find suppliers or retailers aging their wares. Most cigars are shipped shortly after production.

At the least, when cigars are rolled they should be aged for a minimum of 30 days in a cedar-lined room called an escaparate. This period of time allows the cigar to rest after it has been rolled. After this the cigars are then sorted, boxed, and shipped. Even though cigars are not always aged today, just sitting in the retailers humidor waiting to be sold can do the trick.

Over time the cigar’s flavor develops becoming softer and rounder with time. But keep in mind not all cigars will benefit from long periods of aging. Mild cigars with less body should be smoked young. The flavor with milder cigars can fade over time. Cigars that benefit most from a lengthily aging process are cigars with rich blends, which have leaves that contain many natural oils.

The Smoker’s Palate

If a cigar is smoked at the wrong time, the flavor of a cigar can be missed. The ability of the palate to detect flavor can be effected by the number of cigars or the order of which you smoke a cigar. Too many cigars will dull the palate. Keep in mind that each person’s palate is different so you will have to determine for yourself how may cigars is too many.

What you eat or drink before or during smoking a cigar can also affect the cigars flavor. If you are smoking a mild bodied cigar you should avoid rich foods. On the other hand, light foods should be avoided with a rich cigar. Rich cigars are most complimented with rich food or drink and mild bodied cigars are most complimented with light food or drink.