How the Cigar Wrapper Affects the Flavor
Today, we want to explore the impact of the wrapper on the flavor of a cigar. Many people know that a cigar is roughly made up of three components—the filler, the binder, and finally, the wrapper. There’s a theory suggesting that the wrapper is the primary flavor driver in a cigar, due to its greater exposure to oxygen compared to the other components. However, how much influence the wrapper actually has on a cigar's complex aroma depends on several factors.
Influence of Ring Gauge on Flavor
One factor that affects how much the "wrapper" influences the overall flavor of a cigar is the ring gauge or the format. When I hold a cigar with a large ring gauge, the blend from Brand XY requires a proportionally larger amount of filler tobacco. The smaller the format, the less filler tobacco is needed to achieve the blend. This, in turn, gives the wrapper more prominence compared to the binder and filler. For example, we could compare a Petit Corona to a cigar in the NUB format (60x4). Proportionally, the NUB format has much more filler tobacco, making the wrapper less impactful than on the Petit Corona. In contrast, with a Double Figurado, one might taste the wrapper more at the beginning and end of the smoke, as the filler (and binder) is less prominent at the cigar's foot and cap than in the middle section.
It’s therefore important to evaluate how intense the filler tobaccos and wrapper taste in direct comparison. Here, too, the influence of the wrapper is high if the filler and binder are mild in character. Conversely, the wrapper's impact on the cigar's flavor is reduced if a significantly stronger tobacco is used for the filler.
Connecticut Shade Wrappers
Connecticut Shade wrappers are a classic standard, with a thin, very fine, and smooth texture; they have barely visible veins and burn well. Mild in taste, they offer roasted notes and subtly sweet wood as aromatic characteristics. This mildness allows blenders to experiment freely with filler and binder blends. One might consider Connecticut Shade, which grows under shade cloth, as the "team player" of wrappers, promoting harmony within the blend. A typical Dominican cigar, which is often considered mild, would complement Connecticut Shade nicely, allowing all three components to balance well.
Corojo Wrappers
If we now consider modern Corojo (now available in various hybrids) or even better, Ecuadorian Corojo from Nicaragua (often used by Pete Johnson and Don Pepin Garcia), paired with the classic Dominican cigar mentioned above, one would notice the wrapper more. This is because it typically delivers robust flavors of earth, pepper, and spice. A similar example could be constructed with a Sun Grown wrapper, which, due to direct sunlight, has a high sugar content and tastes rich and intense. Such experiments may not yield the best-tasting cigars, but they effectively demonstrate the interplay of all components in creating a blend and the importance of the wrapper.
It’s not only about the wrapper itself but also the filler tobaccos and binders used in the blend. Ring gauge and format are also critical factors. And yet, even all this together does not fully capture the essence.
To accurately assess the potential and characteristics of wrappers, one must consider the country of origin, the weather conditions in that region—such as whether there were poor growing conditions at certain times—and how the manufacturer stores and ferments the wrappers after harvesting.
Diversity of Brazilian Wrappers
Let’s look more closely at Brazil, which produces at least three different types of wrapper leaves: Bahia, Arapiraca, and Mata Fina wrappers, each representing a distinct region of the country.
Bahia wrappers reveal a strong, full aroma, whereas the dark brown Maduro color of Arapiraca leaves corresponds to a lighter type. Milder, sweeter, and more subtle, this character allows greater complexity in blending without sacrificing overall strength. These blends are more restrained, neither rough nor harsh. For example, Alec Bradley uses them for their mild Maduros. Mata Fina leaves, with their Brazilian Maduro flair, offer a nice earthy note and natural sweetness, well showcased in Mata Fina cigars from Monte Pascoal. They’re also used in the renowned “Sopranos Stick” by C.A.O. and in some cigars by Carlos Turano.
Without delving too deeply into cultivation and production steps—which would indeed exceed the scope here—it’s worth remembering how different cigar families and companies handle their tobaccos and incorporate their philosophy into the cigar blend. The vibrant Jonathan Drew from Drew Estate certainly has a different approach than Nick Perdomo or the team at Arturo Fuente. And our valued colleagues from Bünde bring their own strategy and passion to the creation of their cigar blends.
So, how can one ultimately capture and assess the influence of the wrapper on the flavor of a cigar? Aside from sampling various cigars with different wrappers—a sampler like the one offered by La Aurora with the La Aurora 1495 Series can help with this—it's best to ensure that the filler tobaccos in the comparison are not too different from each other. This endeavor requires quite a bit of time—and above all, enjoyment: a personal grand project! You could also compare two cigars with different "wrappers" side by side (alternating between them!) or sequentially. For instance, try a Maduro cigar alongside a Claro.
The third, simplest, and most striking "test" would be to remove the wrapper from the cigar's foot or cap. This surgical action requires some finesse, but the results will give a direct taste of the wrapper’s impact (or lack thereof). Plus, each variant affects the entire smoking experience differently!
Perhaps you now view cigars from a slightly different perspective and will keep in mind the countless possibilities and potential of various wrappers during your next tasting. We wish you much enjoyment exploring different wrappers… and, of course, cigars!
Further topics
Discover & enjoy
In our shop you will find: