Cigars are made using a variety of tobacco leaves, which are carefully selected and blended to create the desired flavor and character. Some of the most common types of tobacco leaves used in the production of cigars include:
- Ligero: Ligero leaves are taken from the top of the tobacco plant, where they receive the most sunlight. These leaves are dark and oily, and they are known for their strong, full-bodied flavor. They are typically used in the filler of a cigar, and they contribute to the cigar’s strength and overall flavor profile.
- Seco: Seco leaves are taken from the middle of the tobacco plant, and they are known for their mild, smooth flavor. These leaves are typically used in the filler of a cigar, and they help to balance the flavor of the ligero leaves.
- Volado: Volado leaves are taken from the bottom of the tobacco plant, and they are known for their light, mild flavor. These leaves are typically used in the filler of a cigar, and they help to provide a smooth, consistent burn.
- Binder: Binder leaves are used to hold the filler leaves together and give the cigar its shape. These leaves are typically thicker and more pliable than the wrapper leaves, and they are chosen for their ability to hold the filler leaves in place without unraveling.
- Wrapper: Wrapper leaves are the outermost layer of a cigar, and they are typically the largest and most mature leaves on the tobacco plant. These leaves are carefully selected for their color, texture, and overall appearance, and they are used to give the cigar its final look and flavor.