A cigar wrapper is like a bespoke suit; tailor-made to precision and fabulous to look at when done properly. A wrapper is one of the three distinct parts of a cigar; the other two being the filler, and the binder leaf.
The cigar wrapper is the only directly visible tobacco leaf. It is the first thing a cigar enthusiast will see and is a significant factor in determining whether or not a cigar is picked from the shelf. However, its function is more than just serving an aesthetic purpose.
The wrapper also provides a “preview” of the cigar’s flavors, taste, and texture. Some cigar wrappers can also contribute heavily to the overall blend. A good cigar wrapper is visually appealing and contributes significantly to the cigar’s flavor, burn, and construction.
Cigar wrapper tobacco is usually sourced from the Seco, (midsection) of the tobacco plant. They are oily and aromatic without being too thick and veiny, making them desirable for use as cigar wrapper leaves.
Volado leaves can also be used for the wrapper. They come from the bottom of the tobacco plant and have excellent burning properties; for which they are added to the blend to ensure an even and consistent burn: but they are dry and lack flavor.
A wrapper should have minimum to no blemishes; they go through a meticulous process of curing to avoid any imperfections and also to get a consistent shade of colour. The leaf should be thin, delicate with a smooth and slightly stretchable texture, while displaying as minimum to no visible veins as possible. Additionally, an oily sheen and rich aromas will feature high on the wanted list.
The Importance of the Wrapper in a Cigar’s Flavor Profile
The wrapper accounts for only a small percentage of a cigar’s total tobacco content, it significantly determines its flavor profile. Wrappers can contribute anywhere from 30% to 60% of a cigar’s flavor, depending on the type and thickness of the leaf. A well-chosen wrapper can enhance the complexities of the cigar, creating a great smoking experience.
A common myth is that a darker wrapper automatically establishes a stronger cigar vice versa; but this isn’t a given. While the wrapper’s color can indicate the cigar’s flavor, the cigar's strength is more dependent on the filler blend. For example, a dark wrapper filled with mellow blend of tobacco will result in a relatively mellow-bodied smoke.
The Different Types of Cigar Wrappers
Different cigar wrapper types are shaped by their environment, aging process, and curing and fermentation methods. This gives each wrapper its own signature character, colour, and flavor. Each colour shade is linked to a type and usually bears the name of the region where the tobacco plant originated. Here are some of the most popular cigar wrapper leaves you’ll likely encounter on your cigar journey.
Below mentioned are the main classic styles of wrappers being used.
Candela
Candela wrappers, also known as “double claro” or “American Market Selection,” Cigars rolled with a Candela wrapper are easy to distinguish due to the unmistakable green color of this leaf. Before the tobacco plant has fully matured. These leaves are characterized by their green hue, achieved through a rapid drying process that locks in the leaf’s chlorophyll. These wrappers impart a light, grassy flavor with a touch of sweetness.
Examples: Arturo Fuente Claro, Don Lino Casa Verde, Rocky Patel The Edge Candela etc.
Connecticut Shade
Connecticut Shade wrappers are grown under shade cloth in the Connecticut River Valley of the United States. These wrappers are prized for light tan and golden honey color, and delicate, smooth texture. In addition, they impart a creamy, mild flavor with hints of grass, cedar, and toast.
Example: Camacho Connecticut, Ashton Classic, Arturo Fuente Chateau Series natural etc
Connecticut Broadleaf
Also hailing from the Connecticut River Valley, this sun-grown wrapper is known for its dark, oily appearance and rugged texture. Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers provide a rich, earthy flavor with chocolate, coffee, and leather notes.
Example: Charter Oak CT Broadleaf, AJ Fernandez Enclave Broadleaf, Nica Rustica Belly etc
Habano
Habano wrappers originated from Cuba and are now primarily grown in Nicaragua and Ecuador. Cuban-style fermentation to give wrappers a reddish-brown color and a light oily sheen. They are characterized by their spicy, peppery flavor, often accompanied by a hint of sweetness.
Example: Alec Bradley Nica Puro, San Cristobal, La Aroma de Cuba Edición Especial etc.
Corojo
Corojo (core-ro-ho) is a tobacco varietal that originated in Cuba and was chiefly produced as a wrapper leaf. Although pure Corojo tobacco is no longer grown in Cuba, Corojo wrappers are actively harvested in the Jamastran region of Honduras, while additional Corojo varietals are produced from hybrid seeds in other Central American nations such as Nicaragua.
Corojo cigars are noted for an oily, reddish-brown hue and a robust flavor profile with forward spices and a zesty aroma.
Example: Nub Corojo, Argyle Dark Corojo, My Father Fonseca etc.
Criollo
Criollo (cree-oy-yo) translates to “native seed” and is a historic Cuban tobacco. It can be traced back to the era when Columbus discovered the New World. Today, Criollo is grown in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Honduras.
Criollo wrappers are a reddish, earthy brown color and harbor notes of molasses, cedar, and coffee beans with ample spices.
Example: Camacho Criollo, Padilla Criollo 98, Joya de Nicaragua Antano Gran Reserva etc.
Maduro
Maduro, which means “ripe” in Spanish, refers to extended fermentation that produces a dark, oily wrapper. They are allowed to ripen longer on the plant, giving the wrapper its signature dark colors that range from dark brown to jet black. Maduro wrappers can be sourced from various tobacco types, including Connecticut Broadleaf, Habano, and San Andrés.
Only the thickest and largest leaves are selected to withstand the aging required. Popular with smokers who enjoy full-bodied stogies, they carry rich, sweet flavor with chocolate, coffee, and dark fruit notes.
Example: Cohiba Maduro 5, Oliva 'V' Melanio, Arturo Fuente Anejo, La Aroma de Cuba Mi Amor, My Father Le Bijou 1922 etc.
Oscuro
Oscuro wrappers are the darkest and most robust of all wrapper types. They undergo an even longer fermentation process than Maduro wrappers, resulting in a nearly black color and a thick, oily texture. To be clear, Oscuro is not a type of tobacco, but a method by which to let the leaves of different strains of tobacco grow darker. So, like Maduro, one will usually see heartier types of tobacco being used to create Oscuro wrappers. Connecticut Broadleaf, Mexican San Andrés Negro, Brazilian Mata Fina and Arapiraca, and Habano are commonly made into Oscuro wrappers.
During the fermentation process, Oscuro leaves are left for shorter times at lower temperatures than a typical Maduro. Then the Oscuro process calls for putting the leaves in bales or barrels to be further aged. During aging, the leaves acquire an ever darker color, from very dark brown to pitch black. Technically, then, Oscuro leaves are defined more by the process than by the ultimate color. As a result, Oscuro wrappers provide bold, full-bodied flavors with pronounced earthiness and hints of espresso, leather, and dark chocolate.
New Wrapper Varieties
These are the ones that have been tested and used in the recent times. These are wrappers are newly developed or wrappers on cigars that are traditional but from new regions or regions that have seen popularity recently.
Habano Ecuador
Launched a few years ago, it has skyrocketed into a hugely popular wrapper choice. Habano Ecuador is Cuban seed, grown in the rich, fertile soils of Ecuador under natural cloud cover. The result is gorgeous leaf that’s smooth and even in color, and loaded with flavor.
After proper fermentation, this leaf acquires a dark, reddish-brown hue, a nice coat of oils and a beautiful appearance. The flavours are rich, complex and Cuban-esque.
Habano Ecuador has become a go-to choice for full-flavored premiums. It’s a little more costly than some other leaves, but the added flavor makes it worth the coin.
Example: Try Man O’ War Ruination, H Upmann 1844 Reserve Coronas Major, Arturo Fuente Chateau Fuente, La Aroma de Cuba Edicion etc
Mexican San Andrés/ Negro
The San Andrés valley in the state of Veracruz in Mexico is home to fertile volcanic soils amply suited to grow exceptional tobaccos. The humid climate and prevailing winds from the Gulf of Mexico influence the resulting crops marvelously. San Andrés tobaccos easily make the best Mexican wrappers, and they’re known for providing big, decadent flavor profiles. The leaves are resilient and can handle an extensive fermentation. San Andrés wrappers are very dark brown to nearly black in color. They can be oily and lustrous or show a slightly drier complexion.
Example: E.P. Carrillo La Historia, La Flor Dominicana La Volcada, Melenik by Foundation Cigars, Juarez Chihuahua
Brazilian Mata Fina
Mata Fina is grown in the Mata Fina region, in Recôncavo basin in the state of Bahia in Brazil, a strip of land near the northeastern coast. It is the most famous wrapper leaf from Brazil. Normally sun-grown, Mata Fina has unique earthy notes, followed up by a natural sweetness.
Mata Fina is gaining popularity as a wrapper, after historically being used as a binder due to it's rough texture.
Example: CAO BX3 Robusto, Laranja Reserva Escuro, Micallef Grande Bold Mata Fina 654MF etc.
Brazilian Arapiraca
Arapiraca is a dark and oily tobacco grown in Brazil, mostly used for cigar wrapper. It is grown around the town of Arapiraca in the Brazilian state of Alagoas, on the Atlantic Coast in the northeastern part of the nation. Tobacco was planted there beginning at the end of the 19th century. It took about 50 years to establish a sustainable tobacco-growing culture. Today, the town of Arapiraca is known as “The Brazilian Tobacco Capital.”
It’s a sun-grown leaf that goes from dark brown to very, very dark in some cases, looking like a very dark maduro. Interestingly, the dark leaf produces a striking white ash. Smooth creamy smoke which marries that earthy, leathery flavor perfectly together while having unique sweetness.
Example: CAO Brazilia, La Aurora 1495 Brazil, Macanudo Inspirado Green, Bolivar Gran Republica etc.
I would conclude by saying that, there is a plethora of fine options out there. After reading this, I hope there is an urge to go out and try something different at times and explore something new. While its good to have a favourite style but exploring newer styles from different regions of the world is fun as well.
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