Glossary
Plain-language definitions of the terms used across the MokaCigar catalogue and library.
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- 8-9-8
- A specific method of packing cigars in a box where three layers are arranged with eight cigars on the bottom, nine in the middle, and eight on top. This arrangement allows for better air circulation around the cigars compared to standard flat packing.
A
- Aficionado
- The Spanish term for a passionate cigar lover.
- Air-cured
- A method of drying tobacco leaves by hanging them in well-ventilated barns, allowing them to cure naturally in the air. This is the preferred method for cigar tobacco.
- Amatista
- A hermetically sealed glass jar, typically holding 25 or 50 cigars, designed to preserve the factory-fresh humidity and aroma of the cigars for an extended period.
- Anilla
- The Spanish name for the decorative paper band wrapped around the cigar. Initially used to distinguish different brands, they became common in the 18th century.
- Anilladonoun
- The Spanish term for the act of placing the band on a cigar during production.
- Arapiraca
- A type of tobacco grown in northeastern Brazil. Arapiraca wrappers are often dark (Maduro) and are known for being subtler and finer than other Brazilian tobaccos, with flavor notes tending toward chocolate, leather, and earth.
- Arapiraca
- A Brazilian Maduro that is often described as subtle and complex, with notes of chocolate, leather, and earth.
B
C
- Capnoun
- The small piece of wrapper leaf applied to the head of the cigar that must be cut before smoking.
- Capa
- The Spanish term for the outermost leaf of a cigar, the wrapper.
- Capote
- The Spanish term for the binder leaf, which holds the filler tobacco together.
- Churchill
- Churchill — a Cuban cigar format. Typical length 17.8 cm / 7.0 in, typical ring gauge 47.
- Cigar Head
- The closed end of the cigar that is placed in the mouth. It must be cut before smoking.
- Cigarillo
- The "smaller sister" of the cigar. Cigarillos are typically machine-made short-fillers and come pre-cut. Formats like Mini, Club, and Puritos are common, especially among Cuban brands.
- Connecticut Shade
- A classic wrapper type grown in the Connecticut River Valley under large cheesecloth tents (shade). This process protects the leaves from direct sunlight, resulting in a thin, smooth, and mild wrapper with subtle notes of roasted nuts and sweet wood.
- Connecticut Shade
- Grown under protective cloth, this wrapper is delicate, thin, and typically golden-brown. It is known for its mildness, offering subtle notes of roasted nuts, cedar, and a hint of sweetness. It is often described as a "team player," harmonizing with the blend rather than dominating it.
- Corojo
- A classic Cuban seed varietal, Corojo wrappers are known for their robust, spicy, and peppery flavor profile, with strong notes of earth.
- Corona
- Corona — a Cuban cigar format. Typical length 14.2 cm / 5.6 in, typical ring gauge 42.
- Corona Gorda
- Corona Gorda — a Cuban cigar format. Typical length 14.3 cm / 5.6 in, typical ring gauge 46.
- Costa Rica (tobacco region)
- Home to a small but respected industry, producing brands like Brun del Re.
- Cuba (tobacco region)
- The historical and cultural epicenter of the cigar world. Cuban cigars, or Habanos, are celebrated for their distinctive and powerful flavor profile, typically characterized by notes of earth, spice, leather, and coffee. Iconic brands include Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagás, and Romeo y Julieta.
D
- Dominican Republic (tobacco region)
- Following the Cuban Revolution, many expert cigar makers fled to the Dominican Republic, bringing their skills and tobacco seeds with them. Today, it is the world's largest producer of premium cigars by volume, responsible for an estimated 220 million hand-rolled cigars per year.15 Dominican cigars are generally known for their high quality of construction and a smoother, milder flavor p
- Double Corona
- Double Corona — a Cuban cigar format. Typical length 19.4 cm / 7.6 in, typical ring gauge 49.
- Draw
- The amount of resistance felt when puffing on a cigar. A cigar rolled too tightly will have a difficult or "tight" draw.
F
- Factory codenoun
- A three-letter code stamped on the bottom of a Cuban cigar box identifying the factory that produced it.
- Footnoun
- The open end of a cigar that is lit.
H
- Honduras (tobacco region)
- Like Nicaragua, Honduras's cigar industry was shaped by Cuban expatriates. Honduran cigars are typically robust and earthy, often spicier than their Dominican counterparts. Flor de Copan is one of the country's most well-known brands.
M
- Maduro
- This is not a type of tobacco but a process of extended fermentation that results in a very dark, often nearly black, wrapper leaf. Maduro wrappers are typically oily and deliver rich, complex flavors with a characteristic sweetness. Brazilian tobaccos are famous for their Maduro wrappers 7:
- Mata Fina
- Another renowned Brazilian Maduro, known for its distinct natural sweetness and rich, earthy notes.
N
- Nicaragua (tobacco region)
- Another nation that benefited immensely from the expertise of Cuban exiles, Nicaragua has become a powerhouse in the cigar industry. Its rich, volcanic soil produces a strong, flavorful tobacco. Nicaraguan cigars are known for their complexity and a wide range of strengths, from medium to full-bodied, often with spicy and earthy notes. Perdomo, My Father Cigars, and Oliva are among its l
O
- Other Regions (tobacco region)
- While the "big four" dominate the market, quality cigars are produced in other parts of the world as well.
P
- Panetela
- Panetela — a Cuban cigar format. Typical length 15.2 cm / 6.0 in, typical ring gauge 38.
- Petit Corona
- Petit Corona — a Cuban cigar format. Typical length 12.9 cm / 5.1 in, typical ring gauge 42.
- Philippines (tobacco region)
- Once a major competitor to Cuba, the Philippines is known for milder, more floral cigars, with Flor de Filipinas being the leading brand today.
- Pigtail
- A decorative twist or pigtail of wrapper leaf used to finish the head of some cigars. It can be bitten or twisted off to open the cigar for smoking.
- Piramide
- Piramide — a Cuban cigar format. Typical length 15.6 cm / 6.1 in, typical ring gauge 52 (at thickest point).
R
- Ring gaugenoun
- The diameter of a cigar, measured in 64ths of an inch (e.g., a Robusto has a ring gauge of 50).
- Robusto
- Robusto — a Cuban cigar format. Typical length 12.4 cm / 4.9 in, typical ring gauge 50.
T
- Tripa
- The Spanish term for the filler, the bunch of tobacco leaves at the core of the cigar that creates the primary blend of flavors.
V
W
- Warranty sealnoun
- The green-and-white Cuban government seal affixed to authentic boxes of Cuban cigars.