Buying Cigarillos – The Little Brother of the Cigar
As a small alternative to the cigar with a wide range of smoking pleasure, cigarillos offer a great option. The term cigarillos is not strictly defined and is sometimes interpreted as a cross between a cigar and a cigarette. A key feature of a cigarillo is its size, typically ranging from eight to twelve centimeters in length, with a diameter between five and fifteen millimeters.
How Are Cigarillos Made?
Cigarillos are usually machine-made, especially Shortfiller varieties, which contain cut or shredded tobacco. Longfiller Cigarillos, where whole tobacco leaves are used as filler, are rarer and often require handcrafting. In Longfiller production, the tobacco leaves are wrapped in a binder, followed by the addition of the wrapper leaf. Shortfillers, on the other hand, use cut tobacco for the filler, which is then wrapped with a wrapper leaf.
Another advantage of cigarillos is their easy storage: they can be kept in a humidor, but it’s not necessary. When stored alongside cigars, they can also absorb additional flavors.
Cigarillo Flavor Comparison
In general, there are two types of flavors: natural and flavored. The natural cigarillos are the alternative for cigar smokers, especially when there isn't enough time for a “real” cigar.
Flavored Cigarillos
With flavored cigarillos, artificial flavors like coffee, vanilla, and chocolate are added to the tobacco. Fruity flavors such as cherry, mango, and plum have also become quite popular. Flavored cigarillos are especially popular among female aficionados. Natural cigarillos remain the choice for cigar smokers, particularly when time is short for a “real” cigar.
How to Smoke Cigarillos?
There is no universal guide on how to smoke cigarillos properly, as it is a matter of personal preference. Some smokers puff on a cigarillo like a cigar, while others inhale it like a cigarette. From a health perspective, puffing is recommended since inhaling brings more harmful substances into the body. Puffing involves holding the smoke in the mouth, which allows the flavors to develop better.
Although cigarillos often resemble cigarettes, Cuban brands like Romeo y Julieta or Cohiba use high-quality tobacco that is suitable for conscious, slow enjoyment. The smoking time depends on the size – some cigarillos last only 5 minutes, others up to 20 minutes. It is important to smoke slowly, about one puff per minute, to avoid overheating the tobacco and preserving the flavor. For more information, feel free to read our entry in the Cigarworld Lexicon about smoking cigarillos.
Famous Cigarillo Brands
Cuban cigarillos are undoubtedly the most famous, such as those from Montecristo and Partagas. These come in three different sizes – Mini, Club, and Puritos. In addition to Cuban Habanos, the 100%-tobacco products from German manufacturers are particularly noteworthy, such as the Partageno cigarillos made by August Schuster.
Of course, there are also more affordable options, such as the well-known and popular Dannemann, Moods, and Clubmaster.
