| The cigar wrapper isn't just one more component to a | | | | find a wrapper labeled Dominican Sumatra, or |
| cigar -- it carries the majority of the cigar's flavor and | | | | Ecuadorian Connecticut. In the case of Dominican |
| nearly all of its aesthetic appeal. In fact, publications like | | | | Sumatra, it means that the seeds from Sumatran |
| The Cigar Encyclopedia and Cigar Aficionado suggest | | | | tobacco have been transplanted to Ecuador and |
| that the wrapper is responsible for 60% or more of | | | | grown there. The first country is always the place in |
| the cigar's flavor and value. With more diverse | | | | which the wrapper was grown, and the second |
| wrappers being released than ever before, getting a | | | | country is the origin of the seed.6. Sumatra:Sumatra |
| handle on their styles and terminology has never been | | | | wrappers are grown in Indonesia and typically carry a |
| more important. Fortunately, comprehending these | | | | milder, more neutral flavor. They are dark brown with a |
| subtleties is easy with a little effort. The following ten | | | | hint of spice and a sweet aroma.7. Connecticut Shade |
| points will help you understand, identify and discuss the | | | | Wrappers:Perhaps the silkiest wrappers around, |
| majority of cigar wrappers available today.1. The | | | | Connecticut Shade wrappers are recognizable for |
| Concept of Veins:When blind tasting a cigar, | | | | their light, golden brown color. They are mild and have |
| aficionados will look at the veins in the wrapper. In the | | | | remarkably unobtrusive veins. For more flavor, look for |
| case of shade grown wrappers, the smaller and | | | | the seed grown in Honduras or the volcanic soil of |
| smoother these veins are, the higher the tobacco leaf | | | | Ecuador.8. Broadleaf Maduro:This sun grown leaf is |
| quality. The wrapper should be appropriately thick and | | | | grown in Connecticut, Honduras, Ecuador, Costa Rica, |
| have an oily feel -- suggesting that it is not dried out or | | | | Nicaragua and Brazil. As to be expected from the |
| brittle. As a rule, cigar wrappers are aged for at least | | | | Maduro method, it is very dark with rich, sweet flavors |
| a year or two, and the longer they age the smoother | | | | and aromas. Though the wrapper will be thick and |
| they will smoke.2. Understanding Shade Grown vs. Sun | | | | veiny, a well crafted one will have a texture like |
| Grown:Tobacco plants that are grown specifically for | | | | velvet.9. Claro:These are synonymous with Jade |
| wrappers beneath a shaded tent are called Shade | | | | wrappers. They are light in color and can even be a bit |
| Grown. The reason these leaves are grown in the | | | | green. Becoming harder and harder to find, they are |
| shade is to keep their surface smoother and prevent | | | | mild with a hint of sourness.10. |
| the veins from becoming too large. Leaves grown | | | | Cameroon:African-raised Cameroon wrappers are |
| directly in the sun, after all, are forced to become | | | | becoming increasingly popular among cigar makers, |
| resilient to the heat and grow thick with more veins. In | | | | who are developing an appreciation for their spicy |
| contrast to Shade Grown wrappers, tobacco grown in | | | | flavor and sweet aromas. They are dark brown and |
| direct sunlight, called Sun Grown, produces a thick, dark | | | | can be found in cigars made by Alec Bradley, Arturo |
| wrapper. If grown correctly, Sun Grown wrappers will | | | | Fuente, and La Aurora, among others.To be sure, you |
| have more sweetness.3. American Market Standard | | | | will recognize many of the above terms from your |
| (AMS) Wrappers:Once popular in the United States, | | | | experience with cigars to date. They are commonly |
| these wrappers are light green and have a sour | | | | used as part of a cigar's name, and frequently |
| characteristic. They are sometimes referred to as | | | | referenced by cigar merchants and magazines. Now |
| Candela, Jade and Double Claro. Because of the | | | | that you are equipped with this arsenal, you can more |
| off-color and sourness, they are out of favor with | | | | freely explore the wide range of tastes, aromas and |
| today's tastes.4. English Market Standard (EMS) | | | | visual aesthetics available in cigars, and perhaps more |
| Wrappers:The English Market Standard has roots that | | | | accurately describe your preferences. For those of |
| go back to the 19th century and is the benchmark for | | | | you that are interested in exploring cigars for the first |
| most cigar wrappers manufactured today. It includes | | | | time, selecting several smokes that each embody one |
| the term Claro, Colorado and Natural (in ascending | | | | of the concepts above is a fun and educational |
| order from lighter to darker). Wrappers in this group | | | | starting point!Tynan Szvetecz is an editor for an online |
| are grown in Cuba, Cameroon and Connecticut.5. Why | | | | cigar boutique that is helping bring the feel of your local |
| are Two Countries Sometimes Referenced?As the | | | | cigar shop to the internet. It features unique cigars as |
| number of creative cigar makers grow, experimenting | | | | well as cigar tips, cigar culture advice and cigar |
| with growing different tobacco seeds in different | | | | accessories. |
| regions is becoming more common. It is not unusual to | | | | |