Illusione ~hl~ Culebra

[T.G]

Originally Posted by guitar4001

my general understanding is this, and maybe more myth than fact, I dunno:

Back in the day, cigar rollers were allowed only one cigar to take home at the end of the day. In order to get the most out of the rule, they made culebra cigars, or three cigars tied together into a braid. This stayed within the factory's rule.

That story is 100% myth.

Originally Posted by guitar4001

Another explanation is that culebras simply look cool.

I have heard that they are usually made with a lightly packed bunch or with mixed or short filler which allows them to bend in the way that they do.

This is all correct.

Culebras are simply a gimmick that works and still yields a good cigar. Typically, yes, they are slightly underfilled when compared to the same blend in a "normal" cigar. Also, culebras are braided immediately after the capas are applied, so all of the tobacco in the cigar is still quite moist and pliable.