A cigar is comprised of three types of tobacco leaves which are the wrapper, binder, and fill. (Ordered from outside to inside)

The cigar’s outermost leave is called the wrapper. This leaf needs to be of top quality because the wrapper is a very important part of a cigar. It gives nearly all of the cigar’s aesthetic appeal and more importantly the wrapper has often been said to contribute over 60% of the cigar’s value and flavor. Lastly if a wrapper is to compliment the rest of the cigar’s aroma and flavor it should (but does not have to be) be paired with a binder and filler from the same region. If the cigar is made up of tobacco from the same region or county the cigar is referred to as a “puro” which in Spanish means “pure”. The color of a wrapper is usually used when describing a cigar as a whole. There are around 100 wrapper shades currently in the market. Here are seven of the common classifications of wrappers: (lightest to darkest, including pictures)

• Double Claro – also called jade, candela, or American Market Selection. Theses kind of wrappers originated in Cuba in the 1940s and were very popular in America throughout the 1960s and 70s hence the name American Market Selection but, have declined in popularity since. The process these leaves undergo is where they are picked before maturity and dried in extreme heat for only a few days which locks in the green chlorophyll giving them they’re distinct color. Associated with being grassy or sweet flavors. Ex: Viaje White Label Project

• Claro – either yellowish or a very light tan. This is achieved by growing the tobacco plants in a shaded area until they have reached full maturity. These wrappers are to the touch silky and have a very smooth flavor. Usually give this type of cigar to someone who a beginner to cigar smoking. Associated with Connecticut Shade-grown leaf and may have flavors of carmel and nuts. Ex: Perdomo Champagne

• Colorado Claro – also called English Market Selection and natural. The color of this wrapper is a medium brown and is grown in many countries. Ex: Davidoff Colorado Claro Short Perfecto.

• Colorado – also referred to as Corojo or Rosado for the distinctive reddish brown color of this wrapper. Also shade grown like Claro wrappers but are exposed to more sun and therefore make them a thicker leaf and a darker color. Associated with flavors of cedar and leather. Ex: Coronado by La Flor

• Colorado Maduro – these can come from Cameroon aka Cameroon wrappers and also be from Nicaragua or Honduras where it is grown from Cuban seed. Considered full-bodied and sometimes referred to as English Market Standard. These wrappers are a darker brown and may induce flavors of cocoa, spice, and leather. Ex: Xikar HC Colorado Maduro

• Maduro – this sun grown leaf is grown in Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico, Connecticut, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. It is very dark brown or black. The texture of this wrapper can either be very smooth or rough and veiny depending on the construction. This wrapper lends to a full-bodied smoke that can be spicy or rich in sweetness. Ex: CAO Brazilia Box-press

• Oscuro – also called Double Maduro due to them being a very black color. They usually have an oily sheen that can be felt upon touching. This wrapper rose in popularity in the 2000’s. This type of wrapper is sun-grown is grown in USA, Mexico, Connecticut, Brazil, Cuba, and Nicaragua. These wrappers usually produce alot of strength (nicotine) and are very full-bodied. Flavors are full and rich in sweetness or spice. Ex: Viaje Skull and Bones M?stery Box-press

Shade Grown vs. Sun Grown Wrappers

• Shade Grown – are tobacco plants that have been grown beneath cheese cloth. The reason for this is to prevent veins from becoming too large and create a smoother surface on the leaf. This produces wrappers that have a nice smooth smoke.

• Sun Grown – tobacco plants that are grown in direct sun light. These leaves grow thicker veins because they become resilient to the heat. Also they will have more sweetness, strength, and have a darker wrapper.

Q: Why do some wrappers have two countries mentioned in they’re name?
A: The reason for this is because cigar makers are experimenting with planting different tobacco seeds in different regions of the world to create new types of wrappers. The wrappers will create new unique flavor profiles. Ex: Dominican Sumatra, which means Sumatran tobacco seeds have been transplanted to the Dominican Republic to grow. The first country mentioned in the name is where the wrapper was grown and the second country mentioned in the name is the origin of the seed.

Manufactures often use this type of classification then above:

• American Market Selection or Standard (AMS) – Used to be popular in America and are referred to as either Jade, Candela, or Double Claro.
• English Market Selection or Standard (EMS) – Usually Colorado Claro or anything between Double Claro and Maduro. Standard for most cigar wrappers created today and has roots that go as far back as the 19th century.
• Spanish Market Selection or Standard (SMS) – Either Maduro or Oscuro.

The inner most part of a cigar is called the filler. This part consists of a mixture of leafs of tobacco called a blend or melange. The fillers can be of various strengths. Cigar manufactures take pride in making the perfect blend for a smoker to give them the best experience. When it comes to the leaves for a filler, ones with more oil contained in them are less dry and stronger which makes sense because a wrapper that’s stronger can provide a creamier smoke and have visible oil on the wrapper itself. Here is types of fillers from light to strong in flavor:

• Volado – is light flavored and picked from the bottom of a tobacco plant.
• Seco – is medium flavored and dry. This is picked from the middle part of the tobacco plant.
• Ligero – is strong flavored and picked from the upper part of the tobacco plant that is exposed to the most sunlight. When used in a cigar this type tends to burn slow.

Choosing which type of tobacco one would want to use for a cigar can determine the consistency and flavor of the body. The key things to having a great blend of fillers is being rich in flavor, have a pleasant aroma, and have an even burn. That is why the blending process of fillers is very important to making a great cigar just like choosing a wrapper because it can make the cigar fail or succeed.With large ring gauge cigars the process of blending fillers can have a different effect. Yes they do have potential to have more complex flavors and a fuller body but, this is reduced do to the fact they have a cooler burn so this prevents the full ability of flavors they could achieve. Paraphrasing James the owner of BURN Premium Cigars, smaller ring gauges are like straight liquor and larger ring gauges are like rum and coke.