Tuesday, February 14 2012
Q: I'm new to smoking cigars. I recently ordered a Rocky Patel sampler from Famous Smoke Shop and noticed that some of the cigars were square in shape instead of round. How and why do they do this?
- Adam in Scottsdale, AZ
A: The "square" cigars you refer to are called " box-pressed." This style of cigar originated in Cuba, and the reason some of your Rocky Patel cigars were box-pressed is because this is Rocky's preferred shape. Allegedly, the shape causes the cigars burn longer and offer more flavor.
Moreover, there are two methods used to make box-pressed cigars - "standard" box-pressing and "trunk" pressing. The cigars may look similar in terms of shape, but are made completely differently. A closer look reveals that the shapes are actually different, too.
The standard box-pressing method is done by taking round cigars and packing them tightly into boxes made specifically for the finished cigar's length. The boxes are stacked, then placed in a press that looks like the old printing presses with a large wheel on top for applying pressure manually. When you open the box, the cigars have a more rounded edge.
The trunk-press method uses a series of wooden slats that are placed between the cigars as they are being compacted. The key to trunk-pressing is it has to be done very carefully to avoid the wrappers from splitting. (Some wrapper leaves are so delicate they can't be trunk pressed.) The time it takes to get the desired effect can be anywhere from a half-hour to half a day. Once the cigars are pressed, the clamps are loosened and each cigar is given a quarter turn, then pressed again for the same amount of time until all four sides are complete. The result is a much sharper edge. Due to the amount of time it takes to do trunk-pressing, it's also more expensive, which is why the standard box-pressing method is more commonly used.
