2019-2020 Tobacco Retailers' Almanac

GLOSSARY OF TOBACCO TERMS 308 308 GLOSSARY OF TOBACCO ERMS SE Quisqueyas The Spanish word used in the Dominican Republic for casas de tabaco or air-curing barns. R.Y.O. The acronym for "Roll Your Own" Cigarettes. Typically these tobaccos are Shag Cut for easy rolling and smoking. See M.Y.O. Random Grain A Grain pattern that is not uniform: this may include a combination of Straight Flame Burl/ Birds Eye and/or even bald spots where no distinguished pattern is present. Ready Rubbed Flake cut pipe tobacco that has been broken up prior to packaging. Reamer A Pipe tool used to clean out excess Char from the Bowl and facilitate an even Cake. Pipe Reamers are shaped to fit inside the Chamber and spread out to apply even pressure along the interior walls. When turned they remove Char and compress the existing Cake. Recognition Threshold The Sensory Threshold where we are able to sense specific tastes and smells. Reconstituted Tobacco Sheet (R.T.S.) Development of this homogenized tobacco- like product started as early as the 1930s by R.J. Reynolds. R.T.S. is comprised of stems, leaf, cellulose, additives, flavorings, and ingredients which are formed into sheets of "paper" and then shredded to be used in cigarette manufacturing. Relative Humidity The measure of Humidity expressed as a percentage of the moisture content (water vapor) in the air. Ideal humidity for the long term preservation of cigars is 70% RH. Remedios A tobacco growing region in central Cuba which includes Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, and Sancti Spiritus provinces. Retro-haling The act of moving smoke from the back of the mouth up through the nasal cavity and exhaling through the nose. In order to retro- hale the mouth and nasal cavity can be connected by making a 'gulping' action and exhaling through the nose at the same time. Retro-haling creates a powerful synergy of taste and olfaction (aroma/smell) where the spices body flavor and strength of the cigar will be pronounced simultaneously. Retronasal Olfaction The act of sensing odors that originate from substances in our mouth. Reverse Osmosis Humidification These humidifiers use the proper proportions of Propylene Glycol (or other similar chemicals) and water to create the desired humidity. Propylene Glycol acts as a buffer in the humidifier so that water is not released too quickly or slowly. Ribbon Cut Pipe Tobacco cut into thin, long ribbons: shorter and thicker than Shag Cut. Ring Gauge The diameter of the cigar as measured in 64ths of an inch in North America; millimeters are typically used in Cuba, Europe, and Asia. Download - Ring Gauge Chart. Robusto A contemporary American favorite, this size is approximately 5 x 50. Rosado A Spanish term meaning "reddish", it refers to cigar wrappers that have a brown-red tint. Roto Spanish word meaning 'broken'. It is used to refer to damaged or broken wrapper leaves after they are sorted. Royal Palm Roystonea regia also known as the Cuban Royal Palm. The typical Cuban Royal Palm grows between 40-50 ft., its leaves are commonly used for roofing tobacco barns and its bark for making Tercios. Rubbing Out The process of breaking up a dense tobacco in the palm of the hand. Place tobacco in one palm and apply gentle pressure to the tobacco with the other palm while moving your hands in small circular motions: this will loosen and break up the tobacco just enough to prepare it for smoking. Typically necessary with Flake and Plug tobaccos. Rusticated [Finish] A Briar Pipe can have a "Rusticated" finish, which is a deliberate roughing up of the outside surface with a hand tool. This process produces a different look than Sandblasting . Sabroso The Spanish word for Savory. San Andres Negro The most famous Mexican cigar varietal grown in the San Andres Valley. San Andres Negro is a Stalk-Cut tobacco, which produces excellent Binder and Maduro Wrappers. Due to the toughness and resilience of the leaf, it holds up well during the extra fermentation required to produce Maduro Wrappers. San Vicente A varietal family which is now widely grown in the Dominican Republic. This cigar tobacco is commonly used for filler and binder. San Vicente varietals are a little lighter than Piloto and can have a mouth watering effect and be a little acidic; they are not as dry as Olor varietals. Sandblast [Finish] A Briar Pipe finishing technique which utilizes compressed air and sand (or other) particulate to remove excess wood from the Pipe. The result is a textured and rustic finish. Savory The taste sensation produced by umami. The Spanish word equivalent is Sabroso. More generally savory can be something that is pleasing to the sense of taste by way of seasoning that is not characteristically sweet. Scissor Cigar scissors, unlike regular scissors, are beveled and shaped specifically to make a precise cut to the head of the cigar. Scraper (Pipe) A spoon-like pipe tool used to remove excess char from the pipe chamber. Scrapers can potentially damage the Cake making Reamers the more preferred tool for this task. Seasoning The process of slowly raising the moisture level in a humidor until the desired humidity is reached. Seco Filler tobacco leaves from the center of the Criollo plant. For other varietals, Seco can refer to the lower primings. Seco leaves are valued for their moderate flavor and good burning qualities; they are not as thick as Ligero or as light as Volado. Second (Cigars) Cigars that have not met the aesthetic or construction standards of the manufacturer and are sold unbanded and without boxes. Seed Families The five major seed varietal families are: Mata Fina, Broadleaf, Habanesis (Habano), Sumatra, and San Andres. All contemporary seed varietals originate from one of these families. V Veguero Spanish for “plantation worker” this term can also refer to a cigar made from a single tobacco leaf or type of tobacco leaf. Vein Part of a leaf’s organic structure. Veins which are too large can hinder the viability and tractiveness of wrapper leaves. Vintage This term should refer to the year a tobacco le f in a ar icular cigar or pipe tobacco is harvested. In most retail brands, the vintage (i.e. 1993) refers to a specific leaf/component like the wrapper, binder or filler(s) grown in a sp cific year. In the absence of provenance or appellation-like standards in the cigar/pipe industry, there can be some ambiguity when the term vintage is used. Some cigar makers can misuse the term simply to make their cigars seem ol er or more attractive. Also, see Estate Vintage. Virginia Also known as “Bright Tobacco”, this varietal is used in cigarettes as well as pipe tobaccos. Virginia tobacco is naturally high in sugar content and is typically fl e-cur d. Viso A general term used to describe tobacco leaves from the middle part of cigar tobacco plants. Viso leave are under Ligero and above Seco leaves. Vitola This is a general term which refers to the specific size and shape characteristics of each cigar within a given brand. Download - American Vitolas & Cuban Vitolas de Galera. Vitola d Gal ra Name for a cigar’s shape and size as referred to in Cuban cigar factories. Download - Vitolas de Galera. Vitola de Salida The name given for a cigar’s particular shape and size in the marketplace. Vitolphilia A term referring to the collecting and studying of cigar bands and labels. Spelled ‘Vitolfilia’ in Spanish. Volado Filler tobacco leaves from the bottom of the Criollo plant. Volado is valued for its mildness and easy burning qualities. Vulcanite [Pipe Stem] A hard “vulcanized” rubber that is widely used for Pipe Stems. Vulcanite is easier on the teeth than other Stem va ietals, but it will tend to tarnish or oxidize more than most. Wetting See Mojo. Wilde A cigarillo whose filler leaves protrude from th wrapper at the foot. Wrapper The most delicate, expensiv and [ideally] perfect leaf that is applied to the outside of a cigar. Xikar A famous ciga accoutremen brand that offers a lifetime guarantee on its lighters, cutters, and other products. Yagua The Spanish term for Royal Palm. Yute The Spanish term for Burlap. Zafado The shaking loose of Gavillas/ tobacco leaves after they arrive at the factory.