STANDARDS OF A CUBAN CIGAR
FINEST CUBAN CIGARS
ABOUT CUBAN CIGARS
To earn the title of a Habano (Cuban cigar), the cigar must be made by hand in Cuba using only leaves that have been grown in one of the four main tobacco regions on the island. It must also be produced to the exacting standards laid down by the Cuban cigar industry.
HAND ROLLED CUBAN CIGAR
Up to six different types of leaf are used to make a Cuban cigar. These are:
WRAPPER (CAPA)
Wrapper (Capa): Wrappers are by far the most expensive leaves to produce. They add little to the taste, but ensure that the cigar has an impeccable appearance.
BINDER (CAPOTE)
Binder (Capote): Binder leaves wrap around the filler leaves and help define the shape of the cigar. They also help it to burn evenly.
FILLER (TRIPA)
Filler (Tripa): There are up to four different classifications of leaves that must be blended together to produce the filler.
VOLADO
They are:
• Volado (Fortaleza 1): Light-flavoured leaves that are valued for their combustibility.
SECO
• Seco (Fortaleza 2): Medium-flavoured leaves that are most important for aroma.
LIGERO
• Ligero (Fortaleza 3): Full-flavoured, slow burning leaves that bring strength to the blend.
MEDIO TIEMPO
• Medio Tiempo (Fortaleza 4): Rare, very full-flavoured leaves used only occasionally to bring an extra intensity to the taste of certain cigars.