The wrapper leaf is what gets most of the attention when it comes to discussing a premium cigar. We all know that there are three basic components that make up the cigar: the wrapper, binder and filler. The wrapper leaf is extremely important because it is the one that touches your mouth. It is also what catches your eye. It must be just as appealing to the eye as it is to your palate. We also know that the binder leaf is important because it holds the filler together. The binder is often a "wrapper quality" leaf in flavor but doesn't have the required beauty to make it on the outside of a stick.

The focus of today's blog is the filler tobacco. If there is any part of the cigar that gets very little attention, then it has to be the filler leaves. I compare them to a drummer in a band. Everyone knows the joke, "what do you call a guy who hangs out with a bunch of musicians?" The answer: a drummer. Now that is a joke that most percussionists will not chuckle at and, for the record, I don't agree with it. A drummer is the heartbeat of a band. They lay the foundation for the music being created. This is exactly what the filler tobacco does. If the filler isn't blended and constructed correctly, then cigar will neither burn nor taste good.

 I have stated before that I believe that the torcedor that applies the wrapper to the cigar is the artist, while the buncher is the scientist. Getting the right leaves, in the right place, in the correct proportions is the key the making a quality cigar. The best tobacco in the world encased in the most beautiful wrapper money can buy is nothing but a biodegradable paperweight if the buncher doesn't perform his/her task to perfection.

You will find filler tobacco being grown in all the major tobacco growing countries like Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, and the U.S., just to name a few.  As with all tobacco, strength and flavor depend on the type of tobacco seed and the terroir of the region in which it comes from. For those who don't hang around with wine geeks, terroir is a term that describes all of the environmental factors that contribute to the flavor of a grape—such as soil composition, amount of rainfall, hours of sunlight, unique micro-climates, and other various acts of nature. I can literally see the eyes of our talented wine supervisors rolling as I haphazardly venture into their domain. Sorry guys and gals, I will get back to cigars.

 Those who follow this blog regularly know that I have a lot of love for Esteli filler. If there are two words that best describe Esteli, they are pepper and power. If a cigar maker wants some punch and spice in his stick then a few Esteli leaves will do the trick. Now if you drive a little north of Esteli to Condega, you will find tobacco that has the nicotine dialed back a few notches. If we really want to drop down to the milder side then we can to head over to The Dominican Republic. This is where you will find Dominican Olor, the mild indigenous tobacco found on the Island of Hispaniola, which has been used to produce some of the world’s most recognized cigars. If you've ever smoked a Macanudo then you've had Dominican Olor. Three different areas with three different flavors and strengths of filler. Yet, blend these together in the proper ratio and you can get a great cigar. One that accentuates all of the great flavors of each of these regions. But proportions and primings are the key. It is very easy for one to overpower the other. This is why blending a cigar with complexity is not easy.

 I could go on for hours discussing all of the filler tobacco possibilities. but I do need to keep this blog a few pages shorter than War and Peace. I just wanted to make the point that although you can't see it, the filler is every bit as important as the wrapper. Just remember the next time you light up to think about the filler tobacco and the buncher who put it together for you. Oh, and I would like to apologize to any drummers that I may have offended with that joke, including Ringo.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney, ABC regional manager and certified tobacconist. Follow me on Twitter @abccigarchris.