Once the leaves are cured, the farmer's job is done and the process passes to a new organization that gathers and improves the tobacco. This entity buys the leaves from the farmers. The cured leaves are now ready for the "Sorting House" for its first fermentation.
Filler leaves undergo:
50 days of air curing in the Barn and 25-30 days of fermentation in the Sorting House.
The leaves are then taken to the Stripping House to be moistened and hand-stripped of their center vein.
A second fermentation then takes place of at least 45-90 days.
A third fermentation is reserved for exceptional cigars, such as Edición Limitadas and Cohibas to further develop and enhance the flavours and aromas.
Wrappers or Shade-grown leaves undergo:
25 days of air curing, a minimum of 30 days fermentation and at least 6 months of ageing.