8-9-8
6 3/4 in x 43 ring gauge. Also known as the DALIA this cigar took on the popular 8-9-8 name from the original box in which they were packed forming 3 rows of 8, 9 and 8.
ANILLA
Also referred to as Vitola in Spain, this is the Cuban term for cigar band or ring.
BONCHE
Filler leaves are rolled together and wrapped with a binder leaf to form a cylindrical shape.
BURROS
The carefully monitored fermenting piles of tobacco.
CAPA
The outside wrapper of a cigar.
CAPOTE
The layer just under the Capa referred to as binder leaf made from volado leaves grown on the lower part of the leaf.
CASA DE TABACO
The house on the plantation where the tobacco leaves are cured.
CATADORES
The tasters who meticulously monitor the finished cigars on a daily basis.
CERVANTES
6.5 inches x 42 ring gauge. This cigar is the third in a trilogy of 42 ring gauge cigars. It's more popularly known as a Lonsdale, after the famed English sporting earl Lord Lonsdale who preferred this elegantly long cigar.
CHAVETA
The roller's knife - a semi-circular blade used to cut the wrapper leaf.
CHURCHILL
7 inches x 47 ring gauge. Officially known as a JULIETA NO. 2 but popularly referred to as a Churchill because it was the statesman's cigar of choice. Preferably enjoyed for over an hour.
CLARO
The ascribed name to a light-brown wrapper.
COLORADO
The ascribed name given to a dark brown wrapper.
CORONA
5 5/8 inches x 42 ring gauge. The most familiar shape and size for a premium cigar also referred to as a PAREJO because of it's straight side.
CUBATABACO
Formerly Cuba's Worldwide distributor now replaced by HABANOS S.A.
CULEBRA
Spanish word for snake, these cigars are made from 3 panetelas linked and braided together.
DALIA
6 3/4 inches x 43 ring gauge. Dalia was the name of the GALERA in which the cigars were produced. Its popular name 8-9-8 is derived from the original box in which they were packed forming 3 rows of 8, 9 AND 8.
DESPALILLO
The Stripping House where binder and filler leaves are taken to be stripped of their inner veins and stems, second fermentation also takes place in this phase.
DOUBLE CORONA
7 5/8 inches x 49 ring gauge. Traditionally known as a PROMINENTE , the colossal leaves of this cigar are surprisingly delicate at first but then suddenly burst into an explosion of flavours.
ESCAPARATE
A cooling room kept at 16-18 °C or 61-64 °F about 70 % humidity where cigars are kept for a few weeks after they have been rolled.
ESPECIAL
9 inches x 47 ring gauge. Also referred to as GRAN CORONA this is the largest classic form cigar.
FIGURADO
A cigar rolled with a point at one end. There also exists the double-figurado pointed at both ends. Also referred to as a Pirámide, Campana or an Exquisito.
FORTALEZA
The strength of a cigar. The 3 degrees in order from 1, 2, 3 are synonymous with the terms volado, seco and ligero.
GALERA
Literally translates to the galley or the factory workshop where cigars are made by hand.
GRAN CORONA
9 inches x 47 ring gauge. Also referred to as an ESPECIAL this is the largest classic form cigar.
HABANOS
A denomination of origin for Cuban cigars, literally translates to Havanas.
HABANOS S.A.
The Havana based company that that markets and distributes Cuban cigars internationally, jointly owned by the Cuban government and the Franco-Spanish corporation Altadis S.A. Formerly known as CUBATABACO.
HECHO EN CUBA
Made in Cuba.
JULIETA NO. 2
7 inches x 47 ring gauge. Originally from the Romeo y Julieta Factory this cigar is more popularly known as the CHURCHILL because it was the statesman's cigar of choice.
LAGUITO NO. 1
7 1/2 inches x 38 ring gauge. Popularly known as the LANCERO this cigar takes it's original name from Havana's el Laguito Factory.
Its slender length coupled with the twist of leaf on the cap makes the Lancero a most elegant cigar.
LANCERO
7 1/2 inches x 38 ring gauge. Traditionally known as the LAGUITO NO. 1. An elegant and slender cigar marked by it's length and twist of leaf cap.
LECTOR
Traditionally, the person who read stories to the cigar rollers throughout the day.
LIGADOR
The master blender in a cigar factory.
LIGERO
One of the 3 fillers of tobacco leaves. The word literally translates to light although it refers to the top most leaves of a plant that are richest in flavour and often darkest in colour. The 2 others are called SECO and VOLADO.
LONSDALE
6.5 inches x 42 ring gauge. Named after the English sporting earl, Lord Lonsdale who preferred the elegance of a long cigar.
This vitola is traditionally known as a CERVANTES, the third in a trilogy of 42 ring gauge vitolas.
MADURO
The word means ripe in Spanish and refers to a dark reddish-brown almost black wrapper shade.
MEDIA RUEDA
Literally translates to half-wheel and refers to a bundle of 50 cigars wrapped together.
MAREVA
5 1/8 inches x 42 ring gauge. More commonly known as a PETIT CORONA this cigar is the most popular of all sizes.
MOJA
Moisturizing tobacco leaves to prepare them for the rollers.
PAREJO
A straight-sided cigar such as a box pressed CORONA or LONSDALE.
PERLA
4 inches x 40 ring gauge. Also called a TRES PETIT CORONA this cigar forms part of the small vitola group. This smoke is brief but very full of Habano flavours which explains the origin of its name, Perla or "Pearl" in English.
PARTIDO
Specializing in the cultivation of wrapper leaves this region forms a historic group of growing regions founded in the early 17th Century. Partido encompasses Havana, Cuba's capital and base for some of the most famous Habano factories.
PETIT CORONA
5 1/8 inches x 42 ring gauge. The most popular of all sizes this cigar allows for the 3 filler leaves to be evenly blended allowing for a smooth smoke. It is traditionally referred to as a MAREVA.
PIRÁMIDE
6 1/8 inches x 52 ring gauge. Also referred to as a TORPEDO, because of the this tapered head and shoulder of this cigar it is said to have better combustibility.
PROMINENTE
7 5/8 inches x 49 ring gauge. More popularly known as a DOUBLE CORONA, the colossal leaves of this cigar are surprisingly delicate at first but then suddenly burst into an explosion of flavours.
PURO
The Spanish term for cigar.
ROBUSTO
4 7/8 inches x 50 ring gauge. A popular cigar.
SECO
This filler leaf taken from the middle of the plant often contributes aroma and is usually medium-bodied. The 2 other fillers are called LIGERO and VOLADO.
SEMI VUELTA
Situated in the Western part of Cuba it is known mainly for cultivation of binder and filler leaves. Barely 1 % of its land is dedicated to Habanos.
TABACO
Is the Spanish term for tobacco and in Cuba the word is also used to refer to a cigar.
TABACUBA
The Cuban corporation that manages the agricultural and manufacturing aspects of Cuba's tobacco industry.
TAPADO
The muslin cloth tent under which shade-grown wrapper leaves are grown. It literally translates to "covered".
TERCIOS
Palm bark wrapped bales in which tobacco leaves are aged after fermentation.
TORCEDOR
A Cigar roller. The word literally means "twister" even though it is the last thing a roller should do when making a cigar.
TORPEDO
6 1/8 inches x 52 ring gauge. Traditionally referred to as a ROBUSTO this cigar offers better combustibility because of its tapered head and shoulders.
TOTALMENTE A MANO
A term that often appears on cigar boxes and means "completely made by hand". The term "Hecho a Mano" often means it is made partially by hand but also machine made and "Envuelto a Mano" means packed by hand.
TRÈS PETIT CORONA
4 inches x 40 ring gauge. This small vitola can offer the smoker the true taste of a Cuban cigar in 20 minutes or so which explains it's original name of PERLA which literally translates to "pearl".
TRIPA
The cigar's filler made from 2 to 3 types of leaves that form the heart of a Habano. The 3 fillers are SECO, LIGERO, VOLADO.
TUBOS
Cigars packed individually either in wood, metal or glass tubes.
VEGA
A tobacco plantation.
VITOLA
Refers to the size and shape of a cigar, a Robusto or Corona are examples.
VUELTA ABAJO
The finest tobacco growing region in the world, the main source of tobacco for Habanos and the only region that grows all types of leaf. It includes growing regions such as Pinar del Rio, San Luis and San Juan y Martinez.
VUELTA ARRIBA
In the eastern region of Cuba Vuelta Arriba encompasses 2 very separated regions, Remedios and Oriente.
VOLADO
One of the 3 filler leaves used in a cigar. These leaves are taken from the bottom part of the plant and impart light flavours and help the cigar in obtaining an even burn. The 2 other leaves used in rolling a cigar are LIGERO and SECO.