Lexicon
Binder
The sturdy leaf between filler and wrapper that gives the bunch its shape and structure.
The binder (Spanish “capote”) gathers the folded filler leaves into the bunch and gives the cigar its form. It stays hidden beneath the wrapper, which is why robust, combustion-friendly leaves are used here, with appearance a secondary concern. Hidden does not mean unimportant, however: the binder has a pronounced influence on both draw and burn.