Cigar Smoking - Rolling Cigars Like a RockStar

Millions of people enjoy premium cigars every day. We enjoy the taste, the aroma and the feeling of relaxation they provide as the delicate smoke leaves our mouth. But do we truly understand why a cigar is what it is? Sure we know that the cigar we are toking on is hand-rolled and probably done so in a country hotter and more humid than are own. But what does the term ‘hand-rolled’ really mean? And who are the true rock-stars of the cigar world?

Like any good company that manufactures consumer goods, quality assurance is a must. For cigar manufactures skilled workers examine every leaf of cured tobacco over and over. The workers grade the leaves and sort them into three categories before they are handed off to the cigar rollers. Those categories are wrappers, binders and filler.

The rock-stars of the cigar world are the cigar rollers. Women fight to touch them and children dream of being them. Maybe I’m exaggerating just a bit, but cigar rollers are true artist. Painters use brushes and paints, and the cigar roller uses his hands and a crescent knife to shape piles of leaves into a cigar.

Performing his act day after day for audiences unseen has kept this artisan out of the limelight, but his skills are certainly appreciated by unknown fans around the world. Each day cigar rollers walk into a large room filled with tables and chairs, light up a cigar they made, and prepare to roll. This is their stage.

The cigar roller sits at his station with his back to the leaves and his eyes closed. He starts to bob his head as a crowd of thousands chant his name. At the peak of excitement he turns around and begins to bundle leaves from the filler pile in his hand. He spreads and fans the leaves as he continues to add more and more filler, blending short and long leaves as he goes. The only measuring device he uses is the experiences of his previous works.

After the right amount of filler resides in his hand, he raises it high in the air silencing the chanting in his head. Silence is key as he prepares for the toughest part of the act – binding the filler. Using his free hand the cigar roller reaches for a tough, dark leaf. Everyone knows that this step separates the boy-bands from the rock-stars. With no hesitation he begins to wrap the binder around the filler starting from the top. The binder spirals down and around the filler and through his hand but here’s the kicker — he is applying perfect pressure with his hand the whole time! Everyone is silent except for the occasional “I Love You!” from a young lady who just can’t control herself.

Now that the binder has been magnificently applied, the roller must keep constant pressure or it will unravel. He places the formed leaves into a wooden mold along with others he previously made and closes it. The mold is then placed with others under a press for hours at a time. Under the pressure of the press the natural oils in the leaves act like glue which holds the cigar intact. While they are being pressed the roller begins making more.

Fresh out of the press the formed tobacco leaves look like sorry excuses for cigars. But to the rock-star roller, they are beautiful. By this time the crowds of thousands in his head are going crazy for the end of the show is near. The smooth silky wrappers are the most expensive part of the leaf and the rock-star knows it. Tearing one of these precious leaves could mean the end of a career. He wraps the cigar, while firmly pulling on the wrapper to ensure a tight fit. He truly is walking a tight rope with the amount of pressure he applies. Too much will rip the leaf and too little will give the appearance of a wrinkled cigar. He nails it.

Next time you are holding a cigar in your hand take a moment and appreciate it for what it is — a work of art. Try to picture the rock-star roller working and crafting on his unforeseen stage for your enjoyment and mine. I invite you to join me as I take a brief moment and salute the rock stars of the cigar world and light up a cigar in their name.

Jaff Gurner loves Brushed Chrome Zippo Lighter memorabilia, and is a self proclaimed cigar aficionado. If you’re looking for a place to order zippo lighter products, feel free to visit http://www.tobacco-barn.com/s-550-chrome-zippo.aspx
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