Cigars are produced in a variety of sizes. Common to all cigars, are the three elements, tobacco, binder and wrapper as illustrated in the diagram above. The tobacco is cultivated and processed specifically for the production of cigars. Most cigar blends consist of dark air cured tobacco varieties, such as Besuki or Manilla, which are fermented in order to enhance their flavour. Unlike cigarette blends, which are created using a cutting process, cigar blends are created using a threshing process. The tobacco is held together and given its characteristic cigar shape by a binder, which is also made using tobacco, either in a leaf or sheet form. The binder is then enveloped in a spirally bound wrapper. Cigarillos are similar in construction to cigars but have a filter or mouthpiece.
As with other tobacco products there are a number of permitted ingredients used in the manufacture of cigars. They may include humectants, which are used for moisture retention purposes, adhesives, binders, filters and flavours. Their main function is to improve product quality and to give some cigars their unique flavour and aromas.
Follow this link for details of actual ingredients used in the manufacture of Gallaher’s brands.
