New Tobacco Law

[basil]

This raises some interesting questions. I searched "cigar additives", and one of the sites is a long list of things added to tobacco on its way to consumers. I'm thinking a lot of this is cigarette additives, but some are listed as exclusively for cigars. One is sodium nitrate, which is a combustion modifier for wrappers and binders in cigars (#67). So, wtf?

The thing that comes to mind is a "razor sharp burn" that many use to market their product and that some expound upon in reviews. Now, I've had highly refined product (say, Casa Fuente) that sure enough had a line straight enough to plumb with. It kind of amazes me really how they're able to pull it off and I've always attributed this to superior skills of top rollers. Is this inaccurate? I've also smoked cigars that are not so refined (farmies from, well, I don't remember), although "unrefined" would be misleading. This would be like comparing bleached, fine, lotsa-shit-added cake flour to whole wheat. And, I'll take the latter over the former any time. As long as a cigar will draw, doesn't tunnel, and doesn't run too badly, I don't think I give a shit about a scalloped burn line.

[badwhale]

This raises some interesting questions. I searched "cigar additives", and one of the sites is a long list of things added to tobacco on its way to consumers. I'm thinking a lot of this is cigarette additives, but some are listed as exclusively for cigars. One is sodium nitrate, which is a combustion modifier for wrappers and binders in cigars (#67). So, wtf?

The thing that comes to mind is a "razor sharp burn" that many use to market their product and that some expound upon in reviews. Now, I've had highly refined product (say, Casa Fuente) that sure enough had a line straight enough to plumb with. It kind of amazes me really how they're able to pull it off and I've always attributed this to superior skills of top rollers. Is this inaccurate? I've also smoked cigars that are not so refined (farmies from, well, I don't remember), although "unrefined" would be misleading. This would be like comparing bleached, fine, lotsa-shit-added cake flour to whole wheat. And, I'll take the latter over the former any time. As long as a cigar will draw, doesn't tunnel, and doesn't run too badly, I don't think I give a shit about a scalloped burn line.

Agreed. I ususally comment on the burn in my reviews, but haven't had a "bummer" yet.

Ted, do you know specifically of any brands that use KNO3 (Potassium Nitrate) to enhance the burn? I'd be interested in being able to identify when I'm not smoking something all natural.

Will

[basil]

No, and really, that it is used as a "combustion modifier" is news to me, although not really surprising given how perfect some brands consistently burn. And, I'm not really sure this is what it's for. It could be for slower burn or to burn at the same rate as the filler or something, I don't know.

I guess one of my points is, is that some rollers churn out their own product, surely without that aid and benefit of any number of modifiers, enhancers, and additives, to no ill effect. Are they as cosmetically compliant (I hesitate to use the word "appealing")? No, but it is, IMO, a superior product.

[ashauler]

Very interesting Ted, thanks for the post. Perhaps the new regs, while onerous on the surface, may provide some kind of benefit. Other than infused cigars, and dyed wrappers, I was ignorant of chemical modifications to cigar tobacco.

[Mizicke5273]

I thought cigar tobacco was pure and untouched by chemicals as well. Should be interesting to see where this goes.

[DeeDubya]

I think what concerns me more than additives for flavor enhancement or dyes for color would be insecticides. As we all know, little holes in the wrapper are a big problem. Some of the small tobacco farms are hidden away in places where... who would know? A little DDT goes a long way to killing bugs.

[basil]

One has to keep in mind that "cigar" in the link Basil posted includes machine-made cigars, "little cigars," cigars with binder and/or wrapper made of "homogenized tobacco product" (paper with made from stems, etc.), filler that might include reconstituted tobacco, White Owls , etc.

Anyhow, the truth is out there somewhere ...

Good point. I don't think about that stuff as cigars.

I think what concerns me more than additives for flavor enhancement or dyes for color would be insecticides. As we all know, little holes in the wrapper are a big problem. Some of the small tobacco farms are hidden away in places where... who would know? A little DDT goes a long way to killing bugs.

Yeah, I've wondered about this as well. You can bet that regs are either unenforced or nonexistent in other (3rd world) countries. And if using pesticides=higher yields=larger profit margins, then, well, that all equals pesticide use.

I know, I get geniuser every day.

[craig]

One has to keep in mind that "cigar" in the link Basil posted includes machine-made cigars, "little cigars," cigars with binder and/or wrapper made of "homogenized tobacco product" (paper with made from stems, etc.), filler that might include reconstituted tobacco, White Owls , etc.

Anyhow, the truth is out there somewhere ...