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Cigar Wrapper Types: The Ultimate Guide

Oct 20th, 2023

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When it comes to cigars, the wrapper isn't merely a protective layer; it's a masterpiece in its own right. From the instant we cast our gaze upon a cigar, it's the wrapper that seizes our attention, promising a narrative woven with craftsmanship and flavor. A meticulously crafted cigar wrapper can stand as the pivotal factor between an esteemed addition to your collection and a casual passerby on the shelf. In this comprehensive guide, we embark on a journey through the diverse tapestry of cigar wrapper types, unraveling the intricacies that define the world of wrappers and discovering the finest wrappers that bring cigars to life.


What Is A Cigar Wrapper?

Before we dive into the fascinating world of cigar wrapper types, it's essential to understand the wrapper's significance. The wrapper is the outermost leaf that envelops a cigar, carefully encasing the filler and binder leaves. Its role goes beyond aesthetics; it profoundly influences the flavor, aroma, and burn characteristics of a cigar.

This leaf is meticulously cultivated, harvested, and prepared to ensure its texture, color, and aroma align with the intended profile of the cigar. It serves as a canvas for cigar makers to showcase their expertise and is believed to influence up to eighty percent of the cigar's overall flavor. In essence, the wrapper is a cornerstone in crafting a cigar's unique identity and enhancing the pleasure of the smoking experience.

Exploring the Shades: Natural And Maduro Cigars

Cigars are broadly categorized into two types: Natural and Maduro. Each category boasts its distinct wrapper types, with a spectrum of colors and flavors. Natural wrappers are lighter in shade, while Maduro–which translates to “ripe” or “mature”–wrappers are darker, owing to a longer fermentation process. All wrappers exist somewhere on this spectrum, from Natural to Maduro. That is, you could hypothetically take any leaf and, through a fermentation process, create a “Maduro.” Furthermore, there are six generally accepted categories to describe the shade of a cigar from light to dark shades: Double Claro, Claro, Colorado Claro, Colorado, Colorado Maduro, Maduro, and Oscuro.

In summary, we’ve got two ends of our spectrum from light to dark (natural to maduro), and along that spectrum, seven different ways to describe a cigar’s shade.

Beyond the Wrapper: Strength ≠ Wrapper or Shade

As a reminder, the wrapper and its darkness are not going to necessarily tell you the strength of a cigar. It is all of the tobaccos used in the cigar, from the wrapper to the binder, to the filler, that creates its strength. Hypothetically, you could take a more “natural” or “Claro shade” Connecticut wrapper, and blend it with a binder and filler to achieve a full-strength product.

Wrapping it All Up

Now that you are fully equipped with the knowledge and language surrounding wrappers, shades, and the misconception that the wrapper/shade always equates to strength, there are four generally used categories of cigars from light to dark to help guide you in your journey at your local shop: Connecticut, Corojo, Habano, and Maduro.

Connecticut

Often seen modified by “shade”, all Connecticut-seed tobacco, whether grown in Ecuador or Connecticut, is grown under acres of giant cheesecloth sheets strategically placed to shield them from direct sunlight. This method, akin to natural cloud cover, provides the ideal conditions for growing Connecticut or Connecticut Shade wrappers. The protective measures preserve the wrapper's light, golden-blond to honey-colored hue and maintain a silky texture. This meticulous process demands significant labor, ensuring each leaf attains a unique delicacy—never too dark or thick—along with a precisely balanced nicotine density.

Connecticut wrappers are celebrated for their mild flavor profile, owing to the reduced sunlight exposure during cultivation. This characteristic imparts woody, spicy, and cedar notes to the leaves. The result is a cigar with a creamy taste reminiscent of almonds, cashews, and coffee with cream. The attention to detail in the cultivation process guarantees that every Connecticut Shade cigar embodies a refined and exquisite smoking experience.

N.B. Connecticut Broadleaf is grown in direct sun and is on the opposite end of the spectrum once aged (see featured products under Maduro for featured products).

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Corojo

The Corojo cigar wrapper is slightly darker than its Connecticut counterpart and originated in Cuba. The Corojo cigar wrapper, which originated in Cuba, has been transported to a number of new environments where the Corojo seed underwent genetic modification. Today, both hybrid and pure strains of Corojo are utilized in cigar production. Many may not know that, unlike most cigar factories, La Aurora prefers to grow our own tobacco, and the variety we mostly plant is Corojo because it has the highest consumption locally in the Dominican Republic. While favored by many cigar enthusiasts for its spicy, peppery, and robust flavor, one drawback of this wrapper is its toughness, which can sometimes lead to difficulty in achieving an even burn. However, thanks to our master blender, Manuel Inoa, you’ll find that he implements tobaccos from Nicaragua, Brazil, Ecuador, and of course, the Dominican Republic to overcome this quality.

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Habano

Much like Corojo, Habano wrappers trace their origins back to Cuba but are currently cultivated in nations like Nicaragua and Ecuador, as well as by La Aurora in the Dominican Republic. While they exhibit a color akin to Corojo, they possess a distinct robustness and spiciness, often carrying elevated nicotine levels that may prove formidable for novices. Its profile is defined by a harmonious blend of earthy spices, leather, wood, and the opulent essence of coffee beans. Endowed with a dense and substantial character, Habano stands as the preferred choice for connoisseurs in pursuit of an exceedingly bold and impactful smoking encounter

Featured Products:

Maduro

Derived from sun-exposed cultivation, extensive curing, and a patient aging process, Maduro wrappers embody maturity. This crafting results in a wrapper that exudes intensity and complexity, marked by a distinctive sweetness, elevated nicotine content, and a textured surface. Renowned among connoisseurs for its dark, oily disposition, the Maduro wrapper is cherished for delivering a full-bodied smoking encounter. It offers a bold palette of flavors, including dark chocolate, espresso, and subtle hints of spice, providing a truly indulgent experience for seasoned enthusiasts.

Featured Products:


Selecting The Right Cigar Wrapper

The process of selecting the best wrappers is an art in itself, setting the stage for the entire ensemble. It involves a thoughtful consideration of three key factors: your palate preferences, the occasion, and the time you have to indulge in the experience. For those seeking a leisurely afternoon companion, natural wrappers present a milder, smoother option that promises relaxed enjoyment. On the contrary, if you're looking for a bolder, more intense flavor profile, especially after a hearty meal or during a special occasion, Maduro wrappers are the ideal choice. Their robust character adds a distinctive touch to the moment, ensuring a memorable cigar experience. Take our quiz to find out which wrapper is the best fit for you, or try any one of the cigars referenced below!

Natural Cigar Wrappers

  • Claro Claro (Candela)

The Candela or Double Claro wrapper also referred to as Claro Claro, is perhaps the most visually striking of all wrappers and stands out for its vibrant green color. This unique hue is achieved by harvesting leaves before they reach maturity and rapidly drying them using artificial heat, which preserves their chlorophyll content. Despite its visually striking appearance, the flavor profile of this wrapper is characterized by subtle notes of cedar, grass, and a hint of pepper, creating a refreshing symphony of flavors. The Claro Claro wrapper is particularly appealing to those new to cigar smoking for its mild and crisp taste.

  • Claro

A step darker than Candela, the Claro wrapper exudes a golden-brown hue. This distinct coloring arises from a specialized cultivation technique where Claro wrappers are grown under protective cheesecloth tents. This method preserves the tobacco's innate flavors, ensuring an authentic taste that harmoniously blends with the wrapper's hue. Additionally, Claro wrappers introduce a touch more richness to the flavor profile, a quality that contributes to their renown for delivering a remarkably smooth and mellow smoking experience.

  • Colorado Claro

Taking on a light reddish-brown hue, Colorado Claro wrappers present a slightly bolder taste profile. Cultivated in direct sunlight and harvested at their peak of maturity, they exude a rich, enticing aroma. This wrapper type is favored by seasoned cigar enthusiasts for its distinct notes of leather and a subtle touch of sweetness, offering a flavorful experience that captures the essence of sophistication in cigar smoking.

  • Colorado

Sporting a medium-brown hue, the Colorado wrapper strikes a harmonious balance between richness and subtlety. It presents a well-blended symphony of flavors, featuring earthy undertones complemented by a touch of spice. This wrapper type offers a full-bodied experience without overpowering the senses, making it an accessible choice for those seeking a nuanced yet approachable smoking adventure.

Maduro Cigars

  • Colorado Maduro

The Colorado Maduro wrapper stands as a testament to the art of patience and skill. Falling between the Colorado and Maduro shades, it exhibits a dark brown hue, leaning towards the lighter end of the spectrum. This rich, brownish-red tone is the outcome of a prolonged fermentation process. Colorado Maduro wrappers introduce a lavish, intricate flavor profile, seamlessly merging the best attributes of both worlds.

  • Maduro

Derived from sun-exposed cultivation, extensive curing, and a patient aging process, Maduro wrappers embody maturity. This crafting results in a wrapper that exudes intensity and complexity, marked by a distinctive sweetness, elevated nicotine content, and a textured surface. Renowned among connoisseurs for its dark, oily disposition, the Maduro wrapper is cherished for delivering a full-bodied smoking encounter. It offers a bold palette of flavors, including dark chocolate, espresso, and subtle hints of spice, providing a truly indulgent experience for seasoned enthusiasts.

  • Oscuro

Oscuro, being the darkest of wrappers, boasts an almost black appearance adorned with a noticeable oily sheen. Its bold flavor profile is a testament to the extended fermentation process, crafting a wrapper that exudes richness and texture, providing a full-bodied smoke. For aficionados who relish intensity, Oscuro offers a profound exploration of flavors, standing as the epitome of flavor intensity.



In addition to the seven well-known types, you may also come across three other significant cigar wrapper leaves, ranging from lighter to darker shades: Connecticut, Corojo, and Habano.

  • Connecticut Shade

In the Connecticut River Valley, where these leaves are cultivated, acres of giant cheesecloth sheets are strategically placed over the crops to shield them from direct sunlight. This method, akin to natural cloud cover, provides the ideal conditions for growing Connecticut Shade wrappers. The protective measures preserve the wrapper's light, golden-blond to honey-colored hue and maintain a silky texture. This meticulous process demands significant labor, ensuring each leaf attains a unique delicacy—never too dark or thick—along with a precisely balanced nicotine density.

Connecticut Shade wrappers are celebrated for their mild flavor profile, owing to the reduced sunlight exposure during cultivation. This characteristic imparts woody, spicy, and cedar notes to the leaves. The result is a cigar with a creamy taste reminiscent of almonds, cashews, and coffee with cream. The attention to detail in the cultivation process guarantees that every Connecticut Shade cigar embodies a refined and exquisite smoking experience.

  • Corojo

The Corojo cigar wrapper is slightly darker than its Connecticut counterpart and originated in Cuba. The Corojo cigar wrapper, which originated in Cuba, is slightly darker than its Connecticut Shade counterpart. Transported to a number of new environments, the Corojo seed underwent genetic modification. Today, both hybrid and pure strains of Corojo are utilized in cigar production. The pure Corojo leaf is predominantly cultivated in Honduras' Jamastran Valley, while the hybrid varieties are more widely employed. While favored by many cigar enthusiasts for its spicy, peppery, and robust flavor, one drawback of this wrapper is its toughness, which can sometimes lead to difficulty in achieving an even burn.

  • Habano

Much like Corojo, Habano wrappers trace their origins back to Cuba but are currently cultivated in nations like Nicaragua and Ecuador, as well as by La Aurora in the Dominican Republic. While they exhibit a color akin to Corojo, they possess a distinct robustness and spiciness, often carrying elevated nicotine levels that may prove formidable for novices. Its profile is defined by a harmonious blend of earthy spices, leather, wood, and the opulent essence of coffee beans. Endowed with a dense and substantial character, Habano stands as the preferred choice for connoisseurs in pursuit of an exceedingly bold and impactful smoking encounter.

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