Hybrid wrappers are the combination of 2 or more different seeds to create a new one, some hybrids are exclusive for just one type of cigars or limited editions. Some examples are:

Habano Criollo, Hybrid between rosado and corojo

Criollo tobacco is one of the original tobaccos used in cigar making, and according to some, it dates back to the late 1400’s; the term itself means “native seed.” Like Corojo wrappers, they tend to be very susceptible to disease, so most Criollo-wrapped smokes you will find feature hybrid strains like Criollo 98. Criollo wrappers tend to be slightly milder than Corojo wrappers, but still have a bit of pepper in the flavour profile. Other notes include cocoa, cedar, bread, nuts, and a bit of sweetness. Ex: Davidoff royal:

Habano 2000, Hybrid between Cuban-seed and Connecticut Shade.

This wrapper was extremely popular in the 90’s but is being used less frequently. The origin of the cigar is that it originally was developed in Cuba, hence its initial popularity. It was first grown outside of Cuba by Nestor Plasencia. This wrapper taste musty and earthy, and are way thicker than Connecticut Shade, but not quite as thick as the Broadleaf. This wrapper is mostly grown in Nicaragua, Honduras and Ecuador. Ex: AJF San Lotano Oval Habano, Avo domaine (both exclusive for CGARS in UK)

Ecuadorian 702: Exclusive for Davidoff 702, hybrid between 3 different Cuban seeds:

The Davidoff 702 Series 2000 is one of seven cigars that make up the Davidoff 702 Series. The concept behind the 702 Series is that Davidoff has taken seven of its staple blends and replaced the wrapper on each of the blends with its proprietary Ecuadorian 702 hybrid wrapper. The 702 wrapper is the product of a hybrid of three Cuban (Habano) seeds. The tobacco for the 702 wrapper is grown exclusively for Davidoff at the San Juan Finca outside of the province of Cotopaxi in Ecuador. By replacing the wrapper on these seven well-known blends, it creates a whole new cigar. Recently I’ve had an opportunity to smoke the Davidoff 702 Series 2000 – which replaced the Ecuadorian Connecticut seed wrapper with the Ecuadorian 702 wrapper. Overall, I found this to create a very different cigar from the original Davidoff 2000, but one that was still quite enjoyable.

Enjoy!

David – Cigar Ambassador. [email protected]

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the different wrappers which may now help you choose something new or help start your journey into cigar smoking.

Candela is distinctly green in colour, which has much to do with its quick aging process. Though this doesn’t detract from its value, flavour or strength profiles. It is usually milder and sometimes used in short, promotional runs of cigars.

The Sumatra leaf comes from the Indonesian region that bears the same name. Known for its cinnamon zest, it is usually mild and sweet. Sumatra wrappers used for hand made premium cigars and mostly cultivated in Ecuador with Sumatran seed. Ej: Oliva V Melanio, Flor de Oliva. Indonesian Sumatra eg: Joya Tripa Larga el Torcedor.

Oscuro Sometimes known as Double Maduro or Maduro Maduro, Oscuro wrappers are the darkest of the dark. They’re fermented for longer than Maduro leaves, which gives them deeper sweetness and often a stronger, richer flavour. Tasting notes in Oscuro-wrapped cigars include many of the same ones as Maduro-wrapped, with a bit of added strength and sweetness.

It’s important to understand that the terms Double Maduro and Maduro Maduro are often used to mean different things. While they can mean “extra dark” or “extra ripe,” the terms can also refer to Maduro tobacco being used in multiple parts of the cigar. For example, a Double Maduro cigar can have Maduro wrapper and binder. For example, Triple Maduro cigar uses Maduro wrapper, binder, and filler. Ej: Padron Family Reserve and anniversary series.

The Cameroon, as their name would suggest, originate from Cameroon, and are sometimes grown in the Central African Republic. The grain of the leaves is very recognizable, and is often referred to as “toothy.” Cameroon wrappers tend to be somewhat delicate and are not very oily, which makes them unlikely candidates for Maduro fermentation. Cameroon-wrapped cigars tend to be very rich tasting while remaining smooth and manageable. Tasting notes include butter, black pepper, leather, and toast. Like Habano rosado and Sumatra. Most of the Cameroon wrappers are now days cultivated in Ecuador. Ex: Oliva Serie G Cameroon, Arturo Fuente gran reserva, La Aurora Classic Cameroon etc

Enjoy!

David – Cigar Ambassador. [email protected]

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this so far, tune in tomorrow to hear about Hybrid wrappers.

The four major wrapper leaves, from light to dark, are Connecticut, Corojo, Habano and Maduro.

Connecticut. As the name implies, this leaf comes from the Northeastern U.S. state and is essentially the only significant tobacco export from America. However, the seed is grown in Ecuador as well. This plant is nurtured under special conditions, garnering it the nickname “Connecticut Shade” because it is mostly grown under some form of protection – like giant sheets of cheesecloth. This keeps its colour light and the unpredictable weather, such as excessive sun radiation, from beating up the plant. The lack of sunlight also contributes to the leaf’s mild flavour and low nicotine content, but it usually has a woody, mellow, and dry nuts taste. Suggested examples include Mitchellero, Joya Classico, Davidoff signature etc

Corojo. A little darker in colour than the Connecticut wrapper, the Corojo was originally grown in Cuba but, because of the embargo, it is now mostly grown in Honduras and Nicaragua. Due to the new location, the seed needed to be genetically modified in order to survive in its new environment. This wrapper tends to have a very spicy, peppery, robust flavour, favoured by many cigar smokers; however, one drawback to the wrapper is its toughness. It sometimes doesn’t smoke easily. Some examples are Camacho corojo, Rosalones classic, La Aurora ADN etc

Habano is similar in colour to Corojo and is also from Cuba, but today it grows mostly in Nicaragua or Ecuador. The leaf produces a heavy, spicy flavour, so it may overwhelm a beginner smoker. Some examples are Padron, Herrera Esteli etc

Are many different Habano seed like:

Habano Rosado. One of the more uncommon wrapper shades is Rosado, which translates to “rosy” or “pinkish” in Spanish. These wrappers have a distinct reddish hue and are extremely difficult to grow outside of Cuba, which means that only a handful of companies are lucky enough to have a supply of this leaf. This makes Rosado-wrapped cigars rare and highly sought after. Typically, these cigars are very spicy with notes of cedar, coffee, earth, and pepper. Most of the rosado wrappers are cultivated in Ecuador. Some Examples are AJF Last call, Rosalones reserva

The Maduro is the darkest in colour of the four and enjoys the lengthiest lifespan, from seedling to wrapper leaf. It goes through such a long process to properly darken and flavour the leaf properly. Because of these distinct parameters, to be classified as Maduro the wrapper requires a hearty, thick leaf that can withstand years of aging and still maintain its un-blemished cover quality. Not every leaf can be turned into a Maduro wrapper and, interestingly enough, they tend to defy their ominous looks. These cigars often produce a somewhat sweeter undercurrent, which has earned this style the nickname “dessert smoke.”

Some special Maduro wrappers are:

Connecticut Broadleaf, unlike Connecticut shade, is grown in full sun, where the leaf gets thick and full of sugar. The plant is stalk cut instead of primed. Usually earthy and toasty with a subtle sweetness, this wrapper is certainly one of the most popular in the last few years. This leaf is grown in many countries and is the primary type used in Maduro cigars. The word “Connecticut” in the tobacco’s name refers to the valley, not the state.

Ej: CAO flathead, Liga Privada no 9, Oliva G maduro, Arturo fuente  Reserva Xtra Viejo or exquisitos.

Mexican Negro San Andres: Like Connecticut Broadleaf, San Andres Negro is stalk-cut and lends itself to binder and Maduro wrapper production. This varietal is a tough leaf that can withstand the extra fermentation required to produce a Maduro. A San Andres Cuban-seed tobacco wrapper comes in a variety of shades. The dark chocolate wrapper is extra fermented and brings peppery notes with smooth, toasty qualities accompanied by the usual sweetness you find in most Maduro cigars. Flavours may also include wood, earth soil, and clay.

Experienced blenders find that the San Andres leaf does not combine or balance very well with just any filler. It lends itself best to very bold blends and will overpower a cigar quickly if it is not paired with other robust tobacco varieties. If its not well fermented could leave excessive metallic notes on the palate.

Some examples are: Drew Estate Undercrown Maduro, Herrera Esteli Norteno, E.P. Carrillo La Historia, Joya black, Casa turrent maduro, Oliva V Melanio Maduro..etc

Enjoy!

David – Cigar Ambassador. [email protected]

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this so far, tune in tomorrow to hear about other noteable wrappers.

Wrappers range from light tan to dark brown; however, one may find an occasional offbeat green wrapper. All leaves are originally green, but the aging process is what brings the exterior its chocolate hue.

Furthermore, each shade is associated with a type, the name of which being principally determined by the region from which the seed originated, where it was actually grown and how. All in all, there are over 50 named wrapper leaves; many are mixes or “tweeners” of two different origins. Sometimes such hybrids are named because the seed was from one region but cultivated in another, such as an Ecuadorian Connecticut.

Enjoy!

David – Cigar Ambassador. [email protected]

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this so far, tune in tomorrow to hear about the most popular wrappers.

The colour and sheen of the exterior wrapper are the initial attributes a smoker notices when looking at a cigar. The wrapper provides an important marketing platform for the manufacturer and simultaneously informs the consumer as to the content and quality of the cigar.

As well, a cigar’s wrapper leaf can determine anywhere from 60% to 90% of the cigar’s overall flavour. A good trick to identify the significance of the wrapper is to cut an inch of wrapper leaf off the bottom of a cigar, stripping it much like a wire-stripper takes the insulator off of an electrical wire. This shows the filler and binder leaves only. This portion of the cigar will taste much less flavourful, and reveal the true importance of the wrapper.

It is important to acknowledge that the wrapper is often an attractive sales pitch for a cigar, much like an appealing album or book cover. At the very least, the wrapper is a message saying, “smoke me.” And though a quality wrapper often indicates a superior smoke, it usually affects the cigar’s composition and aesthetic more so than the entire flavour. In short, it introduces the cigar to the smoker and may or may not affect the taste and seasoning.

1-Best Wrapper:

The ideal wrapper must have few to zero blemishes and larger than other leafs to properly wrap the cigar. This means that it usually comes from the lower levels of the cigar tobacco plant, where bigger (and often more flavourful) leaves grow. Also, it usually has a distinct sheen created by specific oils from aging process. Finally, the wrapper’s flavour is carefully cultivated and protected by cigar growers in order to provide the optimal taste and experience.

Enjoy!

David – Cigar Ambassador. [email protected]

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this so far, tune in tomorrow to hear about the colours of the wrappers.