Are Cigars Sometimes Dyed – Or Not?

I was unaware that cigars were dyed! I will have to keep an eye out for this.

[Blak Smyth]

I think the darker the wrapper the more moisture my mouth leaks when I look at it --->

[kaelaria]

This is from Alex Svenson of Cigar.com:

Im jumping on a plane and dont have long so here is a short answer...yes many do this. It is not a dye but they will soak tobacco in water then wipe the natural colored water over wrapper to even color. A true maduro is actually quite ugly. Some people may even steam their wraper to even the color. This is an accetable process so long as the wrapper is fully fermented and it is being done for asthetics. However, some unsavory companies do this to make a not fully fermented maduro look darker and use it as a short cut which is very bad. So it all depends. As for the bleeding, all tobacco bleeds, the daker ones more so than the lighter and sometimes it is not the wrapper, it is tar. Just my quick 2 cents. Some guys in the DR actually use Mineral Oil on the outside of their wrappers to make them look oilier. It isnt harmful per say, but yet another process. In terms of seeing cigars rolled in the factory and assuming it is died, the rollers who roll maduro have to wet the thick maduro wrappers to make them pliable. Often times, this creates serious tobaccco bleed on the hands and looks like die but it is alll natural.

[alfredo_buscatti]

I've read several articles by Steve Saka of Drew Estate, and all have been quite informative.

Here is a link about maduros by him that touches on maduro dyeing.

http://tobacconistuniversity.org/blog/?p=1656

[longknocker]

Thanks For Sharing, Guys! Very Informative!

[Tbagley]

Something about the mineral oil posted comment just bothers me a bit, as I really don't think I want to burn that too much.

[WittyUserName]

^^

[WittyUserName]

Nice pictures, seeing this in person is on my bucket list.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by WittyUserName

Nice pictures, seeing this in person is on my bucket list.

Thanks.

It's well worth it.

Meeting cigar manufacturers and makers at an event is one thing. Spending a few entire days with them at their factory and their farms is a whole different experience. The grips and grins events don't even come close.

[T.G]

I couldn't find any decent photos of light shade cigars being rolled, but here's a few more on the oil transfer issues:



This is a bunchero at the Padron factory. Notice the staining on his thumb and fingertips. No manufacturer would ever waste the time, manpower or money to dye filler.



This wooden mold is from Pepin's My Father factory. All that staining is from dark wet capote (binder) leaves. Again, no one would dye a binder.



Rollera at the My Father factory.



Sorting table at Drew Estates. Check out the cardboard under the capa leaves and her hands. Those leaves haven't even really been wet down much yet. They have only just enough moisture to make them barely pliable.



JdN's being rolled.

[kaelaria]

Cool shots!

Any pics of dying?

[T.G]

Originally Posted by kaelaria

Cool shots!

Any pics of dying?

I saw an off duty guard using a can of black Lincoln wax on his shoes. Does that count?



Nah, no tobacco dying that I saw.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by T.G

I saw an off duty guard using a can of black Lincoln wax on his shoes. Does that count?



Nah, no tobacco dying that I saw.

Thanks for all the pics. From growing up around tobacco farming, I know the hazards that can come from working with it.

After reading the Steve Saka link, I am still a bit confused. Do certain manuf. dye their cigars? I am asking you T.G because you seem to have the knowledge.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by wayner123

After reading the Steve Saka link, I am still a bit confused. Do certain manuf. dye their cigars? I am asking you T.G because you seem to have the knowledge.

Saka already covered that in his commentary - 3rd paragraph:

First off, on this topic - yes some manufacturers have in the past and
still do manipulate their maduro leaf to achieve a darker, more even
color, ...

[kaelaria]

Alex Svenson of cigar.com also confirmed yesterday that it is still done.