Tuesday, September 13 2011
Q: I was recently at an in-store cigar event, and they said that the cigars were rolled " Entubar" style. Can you please explain what this style of rolling is?
- Barry in Reno, NV
A: According to
Tobacconist University,
Entubar (or "Entubado") is a "bunching technique which rolls each filler leaf into itself, almost like a small scroll. Each individually "scrolled" leaf is then placed together to form the
bunch. This skillful rolling technique creates a more firmly packed cigar which allows air to travel between all of the leaves, carrying more aromatics/flavors to the palate. Entubado rolling is the most difficult and complex bunching method and is therefore rarely employed in large scale manufacturing."
There is also another form of bunching called Accordion. This method "involves folding the outer sides of the filler leaves inward, one at a time, and placing the leaves on top of each other until the bunch is complete: then the leaves are rolled together with a binder leaf. The "folds" created by this technique allow excellent air passage through the cigar."
A third type of bunching is called
Book. "An alternative to entubado or accordion rolling, booking involves laying filler leaves flatly on top of one another and then folding them up, like a book or taco, to complete the bunch. This technique is simpler than entubado and accordion rolling and creates a less aerated cigar structure: placing the leaves directly on top of each other does not allow as much air to pass through each individual leaf in the cigar."
The Book method is also the most often used type of bunching since it can be done more quickly and efficiently, thereby helping increase production.
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