The process of creating the best of Cuban cigars

• The process of creating the best of Cuban cigars

Cohiba cigars before the start of the 1980s could not be bought for any money. Only high-ranking guests of Cuba could get them a gift. Villa, where they are made, belongs to Fidel Castro, the entrance - for special permits. What's going on inside?

Cohiba - one of the youngest brands of Cuban cigars, but in a relatively short period of time to purchase its products cult status and become desirable in the collection of every self-respecting smoker. Counting the history of the brand decided to conduct since 1969.

For Cuba, it was a period of transition: the revolution has died down recently, high-profile political slogans are slowly but surely put into practice by Fidel Castro and his loyal minions. Under these conditions, belonging to Fidel Villa El Laguito opens production of elite cigars. It was headed by Eduardro Riviera, previously worked at another factory - La Corona.

is not known what was told to quickly Castro - rumors of ordinary skill tobacconist or the scent of his surprisingly strong cigars, but the fact of the presence of the Riviera in the new facility clearly in his favor.

Cohiba brand's success is largely predetermined by using the highest quality tobacco plantations of Pinar del Rio, which, unlike most factories are regularly organized excursions. By the way, if you still really want to personally visit the production of cigars, is open for guided tours factory Tabacalera De Garcia in the Dominican Republic. Note that the process used in the production of these Cuban cigar tobacco contains no extraneous chemical additives and pesticides. Cohiba brand used most rare and delicate leaves.

The obligatory first stage of cigar production - fermentation. The fermentation process is particularly complex and itself takes place in several stages. Endpoint its purpose - to improve the taste of tobacco quality and reduce the amount of nicotine therein, various resins, and ammonium. Initially collected leaves are dried in a strictly sealed packages. Repeated fermentation in the dried leaves makes specific flavors, tobacco while kept in dark indoors. The final, third stage of fermentation designed to maximize clean used for filling cigar leaves. Observance of all the stages of this complex biochemical process ensures every genuine Cuban cigar resistant unforgettable flavor and excellent quality, worthy of the ambitions declared premium brand.

After the tobacco is taken into the light after a long fermentation process, it is sent in at least a long journey through the shops of tobacco factories. Tobacco control movement between shops tobacco companies, each of which performs a variety of jobs. Such workers called tabaquero, and among them, incidentally, a lot of women.

Tobacco purified from deformed leaves and insects, it is sorted by color, thickness and quality, get rid of the large leaves, and then send it to the next production line - blend. At this stage, there is a selection of tobacco leaves produced on the basis of varietal, then they are mixed. Mainly it seems to define the aroma of essential oils and create on their basis of varietal mix. This is perhaps the most important stage of production, and therefore employed it exclusively by professionals. Random people in those positions does not happen - it is easier to qualify at Google, than to get the appropriate job in the Cohiba.

The next stage of production logically follows from all the previous ones: in the case come the tobacco companies, are responsible for the shape of cigars. To give the final product the right shape, you must be proficient in chavetoy - a special knife that cut the stem and cut off the edges of each sheet. If the basis of cigar tobacco leaf piece, then there are no obstructions to the air passing through the cigar. Smokers, therefore, is able to fully enjoy the subtle shades of flavor.

The future character of the fragrance is set filling - the central part of the cigar. Locals call it trip. In its basis - some whole leaf tobacco, the most fragrant and coarse, folded like an accordion. Typically, the trip consists of three sheets, and if the first list is the most fragrant, the other two operate entirely different purpose - to provide a bland taste and good combustion.

In order to firmly hold the filling in the proper place, and not falling apart, it wrapped hood - durable thin sheet which is pre-compressed by a given form.

The appearance of the cigar is determined Capa - this is the part that is made of the most expensive tobacco sheets impregnated with the best essential oils.

When sorting cigars in boxes must be taken into account the thickness and color. This knowledge is available to only a little - control the production phase only the most experienced Cuban masters with big names.

Slowly but surely, we come to the final stage of production of elite Cuban cigars - labeling. Nimble hands factory confident maneuvering between workers boxes full of cigars and paste the necessary documentation tags. It should be noted that about any automation there is no question: all tags are glued by hand, and each of them is on a strict accounting.

store cigars in areas where there are no changes in temperature, because at higher temperature level there is the risk of tobacco beetles. Ideally, cigars should be stored in special boxes made of wood noble breeds - humidors. In such favorable conditions, each cigar has a good chance to celebrate even the tenth anniversary. Unless, of course, it does not smoke it before.

In 2009, the Cohiba factory celebrated its 40th anniversary. On this occasion, the company has released the most expensive cigars in the world - Cohiba Behike. Caution: I noticed that when you look at this miracle of a desire to smoke it appears even those who would never have dreamed of tobacco.

P.S. Sigmund Freud once in response to the laughter of the students who saw him with a cigar in his mouth during a lecture, said: "Sometimes a cigar - it is just a cigar." Argue with Freud - like having offended God, but let me say that the very process of smoking cigars has long outgrown the status of the habit and took shape in a quite complete cultural phenomenon.