Often called a Bullet Cap or 109 Cap, this barely tapered head offers several benefits for cigar enthusiasts! I’ve heard that it originated in Cuba and used to be a signature of a Cuban cigar, but I’ve almost exclusively found these in New World cigars since I got involved in cigars around ~ 2007.

The 109 Cap is a figurado and some might mistake it for a belicoso, which is totally understandable, because both serve very similar purposes. A tapered head of any sort allows us to customize the flavor, draw, and overall smoking experience.

My favorite way to enjoy a 109 Cap is to start small. You can always shave more off the head if you prefer a more open draw, but you’d be surprised how many have the perfect resistance with just the smallest amount removed off the tip.

I’ll usually give it another chop around the midway point even if the resistance was already to my liking. A small opening has a tendency to collect moisture and clog up; widening the head keeps the cigar fresh after the midway point and also makes the experience more dynamic.

Give it a try the next time you get a 5-pack of 109 Caps like the new Warped Sky Moon! Cut a small opening in one and a wide opening in another and smoke them side by side to see how much impact a cut can make on one of these figurados.