Wrapper School: Cigar Geometry - content preview

Geometry is helpful to study the composition of a cigar since it represents the Wrapper, Binder, and Filler proportions. As consumers, we are always interested in the Diameter (Ring Gauge - rg) of a cigar, but we rarely think of the Circumference (Wrapper + Binder) and Area (Filler) implications.

Imagine looking directly at the Foot of a cigar: what you see is a circle. The Diameter of that circle is the Ring Gauge (rg) - where the rg is measured in 64ths of an inch. If you look at a 32rg cigar, its Diameter is 1/2 inch. The Circumference (distance around) of that circle is 1.57 inches: this means that it takes 1.57 inches of both Wrapper and Binder to cover the cigar*. A 32rg cigar has an Area of .1963 inches: this means that the Foot (Filler) Area is .1963.

When you double the rg (Ring Gauge) of the cigar, extraordinary changes occur. A 64rg cigar has a 1 inch Diameter and a Circumference of 3.14 inches - the Diameter and Circumference have simply doubled. More importantly, the Area (Foot - Filler) of the cigar has increased from .1963 (32rg) to .7854 (64rg) - a four fold increase. This means that when the rg doubled, the Filler quadrupled!

So, doubling the rg quadruples the Filler. From this you could infer that a thinner cigar will express more of the Wrapper and Binder flavor; making the Filler flavors less pronounced. Alas, this is too simple. Cigar makers and blenders must adjust the Filler components (ligero, seco, volado) to make the cigar burn properly. If the cigar maker wants to pronounce the Wrapper more on a thinner cigar, then they will adjust the ligero and other components accordingly. If they want to recreate the same flavor profile as the thicker cigar, then they will adjust the Filler blend to that end. Ultimately, the cigar will reflect what the maker and blender are trying to achieve, and that all depends on their vision.


* It will take slightly less than 1.57 inches of binder since the wrapper covers the binder. In addition, this formula does not account for wrapper overlap which occurs naturally during cigar rolling. Nonetheless, the math is accurate enough for our purposes.

In Loving Memory of Daniel Miranda

I often fret about our older living legends and fear that generations of knowledge, traditions, and values will be lost when they pass. In fact, in previous blog posts I have encouraged readers to reach out and proactively thank and interact with our living legends. Sadly, some legends do not get to live long enough. Today, Daniel Miranda passed after a long and difficult battle with brain cancer. To his credit, Danny Miranda never stopped living - or learning. No matter the challenges, he never gave up. Earlier this year, he attended a TU seminar with the same vigor and thirst for knowledge as every other Tobacconist that was there. Danny was a true inspiration and hero to me - he was a beautiful person. He was kind, giving, and possessed an indomitable spirit that will live on forever through his beautiful daughters, wife, parents, and sister. I will never forget his courage, love, and passion. Today we will honor him with a Certified Honorary Tobacconist degree - so that we will always remember and learn from his example.

My heartfelt condolences, prayers, and love go out to his family and friends.

Danny's last wish was that donations be made to the National Brain Tumor Foundation, in lieu of flowers ... selfless and fighting till the end.

Nicotiana

It is no exaggeration to say that Nicotiana is the earth's most extraordinary plant genus: harvested for its leaves, the largest cash crop (non food) plant on earth, used for approximately 10,000 years, yet its most popular species, Tobacco, is not found growing anywhere in the wild. In order to understand the natural human connection to Tobacco we must learn its history and the value it has added to people for thousands of years. This is a perspective that our contemporary and smoke-hysterical society fails to see; but through Tobacconist University we hope you will find enlightenment and enhanced appreciation. We are adding new content on Nicotiana and Tobacco to our curriculum on a regular basis. In particular, TU's professional researcher, R. Sloane Franklin, CRT has just written an extraordinary piece titled Tobacco use in the Americas before 1492. Check it out, it will enhance your appreciation and remind you why luxury tobacco is a natural and valuable part of a life well lived.

"...understanding tobacco's history as symbol and agent of the sacred, the royal, the medicinal and the pleasurable serves only to enhance our appreciation of premium tobacco products today. Once can indeed say that to enjoy fine tobacco is to enjoy the pleasures of gods and kings."

- R. Sloane Franklin, CRT

Tobacconist Philanthropy: Cigar Box Charity

The nature of our business presents a unique charitable opportunity; that is, Cigar Boxes. People love cigar boxes! And Tobacconists usually have plenty of them. Unlike a restaurant which has no use for left over food, empty cigar boxes actually have value*. In my stores we sell the boxes for $3 and give the money to a no-kill animal shelter - Last Chance Ranch**. In addition, we give away boxes to children and teachers for projects and hobbies. But, hands down, my favorite Cigar Box charity is the animals. Just last week the shelter received two dogs from a woman who had lost her job, was living in her car, and could no longer take care of her pets. I can't imagine how difficult her life must be, but I know she found comfort in knowing her pets would be well taken care of.

So, Tobacconist University wants to know....

What charity does your Cigar Box money go to?

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How else do you give?

Let us know as we are developing Service College content on Tobacconist Philanthropy - we estimate that Tobacconists give more to military service men and women than any other retailer group - not to mention schools, churches, arts organizations, etc... And, every Tobacconist gets a steady stream of people requesting product and money contributions... so there is a big story to tell about Tobacconists and charity.


**The Last Chance Ranch saves horses, pigs, chickens, geese, goats, mules, donkeys, sheep, dogs, and cats; actually, they will save any animal, rehabilitate it, and find it a happy home.

* Cigar Box Value: cigar boxes are also useful as gift packaging and for custom samplers.

Tobacconist Philanthropy

Merriam-Webster defines Philanthropy as

": goodwill to fellowmen; especially : active effort to promote human welfare"

Clearly, any good Tobacconist is by definition a Philanthropist. But, Tobacconists actually contribute to local, national, and international charities in innumerable ways. The Tobacconist Philanthropy content in Service College is meant to highlight the ways in which Tobacconists selflessly give back: whether by donating cigars to our troops or giving to charity auctions, hurricane relief, school fundraisers, and more. Tobacconists are both local and global merchants who give professionally and personally, every day.

If you are a Tobacconist Philanthropist who goes above and beyond, let us know how - we will use your knowledge to teach other Tobacconists.

ART & CIGARS

One of the most important things we teach consumers, Tobacconists, and society is the amazing and unparalleled nature of the premium cigar. Great works of art, crystal, furniture, and architecture are created in less time than a great cigar; and they last lifetimes! ...while the destiny of a cigar, through combustion, is to return to dust. In fact, hundreds of people and thousands of years of human knowledge and experience go into every premium cigar!

Indubitably, great cigars are works of art*. Great cigar makers are artists. And retail Tobacconists are the curators of these precious miracles. At TU we consider ourselves to be in the art preservation business: preserving luxury tobacco for generations to come.


*The author would like to acknowledge ArtistaCuba, having a non-cigar art collection, and importing and exhibiting art since 1996.

Cigars = Vacation

We know that our sense of smell is most closely linked to memory and emotion. And that our sense of smell has the greatest impact on our enjoyment of luxury tobacco - try smoking with stuffed sinuses to prove it. Pleasant aromas are relaxing. In fact, pleasant aromas have the power to transport us to a better 'place', a better feeling. Whether we are talking about the smell of grandma's cookies, the ocean, or a great cigar, pleasant aromas force us to take notice and enjoy the moment. Those who enjoy luxury tobacco know that aroma transcends our daily responsibilities, stresses, uncertainties, and challenges.

The aroma of luxury tobacco forces us to settle down and appreciate the moment; the little things. Great tobacco is a compelling delicacy which helps us appreciate our time. What could be more important than savoring your time? Great cigars are like a mini-vacation! Use them as intended and you will enhance your quality of life.

* Tobacconist Anecdote: Lately, I have been seeing many more of our retail customers stopping to have a cigar in the shop. Customers who would normally walk out after their purchase look at the couch like a starving man looks at a steak. Once they realize the couches are there for them, they walk over and plop themselves down, immediately letting out a deep exhale. At first they have a glassy look in their eyes, then they remember they have a cigar in their hand and they start to look at it, touch it, and finally light it. After just a few puffs their demeanor begins to change. They watch the smoke waft delicately into the air and their gaze begins to relax. Within a few minutes they start letting go... their body and mind releasing tension. Eventually, our customers leave the shops happier, brighter, and lighter than when they entered. It is an extraordinary transformation. Every Tobacconist has seen this happen, and I think this is happening a lot more lately. But this is just proof that Tough Times = Better Business. People need great Tobacconists more now, than ever.... so get to work.