The process releases ammonia from the tobacco and releases overall nicotine content.
Workers then wrap the fermented tobacco in bales, usually surrounded by burlap, to age.
Standard aging time is 18 months to two years, although some manufacturers keep inventories of tobacco as old as 10 years. Making the Cigar A cigar blend is created by a master blender, someone who combines tobaccos of varying tastes and strengths to create a particular taste in a balanced, harmonious smoke. Depending on its ring gauge, a cigar will contain a blend of between two and four different tobaccos. Each type of tobacco leaf is placed in different boxes at the roller's desk, and the roller is given the formula for the cigar he or she is making. After he puts the upper half of the mold in place, he puts the entire box into a screw press.