Cigar Press – What is fire-cured tobacco like?

Nicholas Melillo  – Kentucky Fire Cured is unlike any black tobacco that cigars smokers are used to. It has been traditionally used for chew or pipe tobacco and is grown to hold more moisture in the leaf. This is done with certain fertilizers and farming techniques. For this reason it is not the best burning tobacco for wrapper and has to be blended properly.

CP – How is it made that makes it unique?

NM – In short it’s the smoke from the burning wood. But to give a brief idea about the process of fire cured tobacco, it is started by stalk cutting the tobacco, meaning they harvest the entire plant at once. They are then hung in barns to go through the yellowing, or curing process. After the specific color has been achieved (since this is done before fires are lit, the color of the leaf in this stage will affect the color of the cured leaf). Then the color must be set and that is done by starting fires in the barn with hardwood slabs. They use hickory, maple, and oak. When the fires are burning, they are maintained with low heat, which is done until the tobacco reaches a solid brown color. After that is achieved the heat will go up until the midrib, or center vein is completely cured. At that point the temperature will be lowered and more smoke will be added to produce a nice finish on the leaf surface.

CP – Can you describe the taste?

NM – The fire curing process makes this tobacco extremely unique in aroma and taste but if too much of it is used it could end up muting the rest of the tobaccos.

CP – How would you describe a cigar that utilizes Kentucky Fire Cured tobacco?

NM – When Kentucky hits your olfactory you know it right away. The flavor profiles are going to be very foreign and will take some time to get used to. It is unique and unlike anything on the market.

CP – How long have you been working with fire cured tobacco?

NM – I have worked with it for many years now and it has been a great challenge coming up with a blending technique that solves any burning issues and compliments other tobaccos.