Stepping into the world of cigars can feel overwhelming with all the unique terminology used by aficionados. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your knowledge, this handy glossary of cigar terms—arranged alphabetically—will help you navigate the cigar-smoking experience with confidence.

A

• Aging Room: A dedicated space where cigars are stored and aged to enhance their flavor and quality.
• Aromatics: The distinct scents and aromas produced by a cigar when smoked.
• Ash: The gray or white residue left after burning a cigar, indicating the quality of the tobacco and the roll.

B

• Binder: The layer of tobacco leaf that holds the filler tobacco together and helps shape the cigar.
• Body: Refers to the overall strength and intensity of the cigar’s flavors, often categorized as mild, medium, or full-bodied.
• Box-Pressed: A cigar that has been pressed into a square shape rather than the traditional round shape.

C

• Cap: The small piece of wrapper leaf that covers the head (closed end) of the cigar, which must be cut before smoking.
• Cedar Spill: A thin strip of cedar wood used to light cigars, providing a cleaner taste compared to lighters or matches.
• Churchill: A classic cigar size, typically 7 inches long with a ring gauge of 47 to 50.
• Cold Draw: The act of drawing air through the cigar before lighting it to sample the flavors and ensure a proper draw.
• Cuban Cigar: A cigar made in Cuba, known for its rich flavor and craftsmanship, often considered the gold standard in cigars.

D

• Draw: The airflow through a cigar when puffed; a good draw should be smooth and effortless without being too loose or too tight.

E

• Earthy: A tasting note describing flavors reminiscent of soil, wood, or natural elements.
• Entubado: A rolling technique where each filler leaf is rolled individually before being placed in the binder, allowing for better airflow.

F

• Filler: The inner tobacco leaves that make up the bulk of the cigar and provide most of the flavor.
• Figurado: Any cigar shape that is not a traditional straight-sided cylinder, including torpedoes and perfectos.
• Foot: The open end of the cigar that is lit when smoking.

G

• Gauge: The diameter of a cigar, measured in 64ths of an inch. For example, a 50-gauge cigar is 50/64 of an inch in diameter.
• Gordo: A large, thick cigar with a typically high ring gauge, offering a long and cool smoking experience.

H

• Hand-Rolled: Cigars made by hand without the use of machines, often considered higher quality due to the attention to detail in construction.
• Humidor: A storage container designed to maintain the proper humidity level to keep cigars fresh.

L

• Lance: A term short for Lancero, a long, thin cigar designed to showcase the wrapper’s flavors.
• Long Filler: Whole tobacco leaves used in premium cigars, as opposed to chopped or shredded filler found in machine-made cigars.

M

• Maduro: A dark-colored cigar wrapper known for its rich, sweet flavors and longer fermentation process.
• Mellow: A term used to describe a mild and easy-smoking cigar with subtle flavors.

N

• Nicotine: A natural compound found in tobacco that provides the stimulating effect of smoking a cigar.
• Nubbing: Smoking a cigar down to the very end, sometimes using a cigar pick to hold it.

O

• Over-Humidified: When a cigar has absorbed too much moisture, resulting in a tight draw and difficulty in smoking.
• Oscuro: The darkest type of wrapper, often black in color, known for bold and strong flavors.

P

• Parejo: A cigar with straight, cylindrical sides, the most common shape.
• Perfecto: A cigar that is tapered at both ends, offering a unique flavor experience with a slow, even burn.
• Plume (Bloom): A natural crystallization of oils that appears on the surface of a well-aged cigar, indicating proper aging and quality.

R

• Ring Gauge: A measurement of a cigar’s diameter, with one unit equaling 1/64 of an inch.
• Robusto: A popular cigar size, typically around 5 inches long with a ring gauge of 50, offering a well-balanced smoking experience.

S

• Smoke Output: The amount of smoke produced when puffing on a cigar, often related to the quality of construction and filler.
• Spicy: A flavor profile commonly found in cigars, characterized by notes of pepper or warm spices.
• Strength: The amount of nicotine and body a cigar delivers, typically mild, medium, or full strength.

T

• Tobacco Beetles: Small pests that can infest improperly stored cigars, usually in overly warm conditions.
• Toasting: The process of gently heating the foot of a cigar before fully lighting it to ensure an even burn.
• Torpedo: A cigar with a sharply pointed head, often used to concentrate the smoke and intensify flavors.
• Toro: A medium-sized cigar, usually around 6 inches long with a ring gauge of 50-54.

V

• Vitola: A term used to describe the size and shape of a cigar.
• Veins: The visible lines on a cigar wrapper, which can affect the burn and texture of the smoke.

W

• Wrapper: The outermost tobacco leaf of a cigar that impacts the flavor and appearance the most.
• Wheeling: The practice of bundling cigars together in a circular formation during the aging process.

Final Thoughts

Now that you’re equipped with a better understanding of essential cigar terminology, you’ll feel more confident as you explore new cigars and develop your preferences. Whether you’re discussing cigar sizes, shapes, or flavor profiles, this glossary will serve as a handy guide to navigating the cigar world like a pro.