Friday, December 23 2011
Q: I've seen the term "toothy" used when describing some cigar wrappers. What does this term mean, and is it a good thing or a bad thing?
- Chuck E. in Waco, Texas
A: A: "toothy" refers to the rough-textured feel of the
wrapper leaf like Connecticut Broadleaf, as opposed to the silky feel of Connecticut Shade. This "toothiness" comes from tiny pimples on the leaf, that are filled with tobacco oils, and usually the result of
sun-grown wrappers.
To answer your second question, toothy wrappers on
cigars are a good thing. The advantage to toothy leaves are. they tend to be more oily and flavorful. Both
Sumatra and
Cameroon leaf are naturally toothy, and when cured properly, are sweet in flavor and very aromatic. The toothiest tobacco leaf of all is African Cameroon, but toothiness is found in wrappers from just about every tobacco-growing country.
