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Cigar Tobacco Leaves Part 2; Light It, Don't Bite It
June 24th, 2003
Dear Fellow Cigar Lovers,
This week, we continue with our primer on cigar wrapper leaves. I also had the opportunity to smoke one of the new Zino Platinum Scepter Series cigars, my review of which you'll find below. Also in this issue, you'll find a little contest I'm running to help give this publication a name, so scroll down to the SURVEY section and put on your thinking cap. You may even get yourself a nice prize for your effort..
*** FEATURE STORY ***
Cigar Tobacco Leaves - Part 2
WRAPPER LEAF is one of the most crucial elements in cigar making,
accounting for the cigar’s appearance and contributes about 20% of
it’s taste. It’s also the most expensive leaf to grow and cure. The
plants, called "corojos," are grown specifically for premium cigar
wrappers under huge sheets of gauze called a "tapado" (Spanish for
tent), hence the term, "shade grown." The idea behind shade growing
is to prevent the leaves from becoming too thick and veiny, which is
Mother Nature's way of protecting the leaf from the sun’s rays. This
is one of the reasons a Maduro or Sun Grown leaf is thicker, darker,
and often "sweeter" in flavor.
Shade grown wrappers are classified by color as ligero (light),
seco (dry), visio (glossy), amarillo (yellow), medio tiempo (half
texture) and quebrado (broken). Note that some of these terms
were also used for classifying the strength of the filler leaves. The
term medio tiempo is also used to refer to wrapper leaves that are
allowed to age on the plant "50% longer," like the Medio Tiempo
wrappers used on the Partagas Black Label cigars.
The key to a good wrapper leaf or capa, is it's elasticity and absence
of veins. Wrapper leaves are usually matured from one year to 18
months, but the longer they're aged the smoother they smoke. Some
wrapper leaf is aged up to as long as three years, like the wrappers
used on Bahia Gold cigars, which are designed to mellow out the hearty
ligero filler used in that blend.
Wrappers come in a variety of "shades" from practically every corner
of the world. Country of origin as well as the seed from which the wrapper
leaf is grown plays a key role in the flavor, aroma and strength of the
cigar. Many premium cigars today use wrapper grown in Ecuador, where
the volcanic soil is especially fertile and ideal for growing consistently
good wrapper leaf. That's why you'll often see the wrapper type listed
as "Ecuadorian Connecticut" or "Ecuadorian Sumatra." This means they've
used a Connecticut, Sumatra, or Cuban seed, depending on the blend, and
grown in it Ecuador instead of it's "native" soil. The results, as many of you
may already know, have been excellent. Take for example the Punch
Rare Corojo or Hoyo Dark Sumatra cigars. They both use wrapper leaves
grown in Ecuador from Sumatra seeds, yet they're selected and cured
differently to achieve their unique, respective flavors. The Talanga
Cubano leaf found on Astral Talanga Valley and Don Tomás Dominican
Selection is grown in Honduras with a Cuban seed...and so it goes.
The variety from which you have to choose among cigars today is owed
in part to the Cuban Revolution. Since many of the top cigar makers
fled to other countries like the DR, Honduras and Nicaragua, they made
use of these other wrapper leaves and to their credit, with great success.
Below are the characteristics of some of the most commonly used wrappers
found in premium cigars:
Connecticut Shade Natural - Light, golden brown, mild flavor, very
silky in feel with a sweet aroma and the best have very few veins. Grown
primarily in the Windsor Valley of Connecticut and used exclusively on
Macanudo and most cigars made by Davidoff of Geneva, among other makers.
This leaf is also grown in Ecuador and Honduras, often resulting in a more
flavorful wrapper.
Broadleaf Maduro - Very dark brown or black, depending on how long it's
matured with a richer, semi-sweet flavor and aroma. Usually much thicker
and veinier with the higher grade leaves acquiring a velvety texture.
Also grown primarily in Connecticut, U.S.A., but grown in many other
countries such as Ecuador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Brazil.
Maduro wrapper can also range from mild to very rich, especially the
darkest of all maduros, the black Oscuro wrapper.
Cameroon - Dark brown, spicier in flavor with an inviting, sweet aroma.
Grown primarily in Africa and originally used on the first Dominican-
made Partagas cigars for their similarity to Cuban-grown wrappers.
Arturo Fuente also uses Cameroon wrappers on many of their cigars as
does La Aurora.
Claro - The lightest in flavor and color, often cured to retain it's
natural green color, hence the term, "jade wrapper." Not as popular
as they were in the early to mid-20th century, some cigar makers like
Arturo Fuente, Macanudo and Don Tomás still produce several shapes in
Claro or Jade wrappers.
Sumatra - Dark brown, smooth and mild with a spicy accent and a sweet,
inviting aroma. The Indonesian grown wrappers tend to be more neutral
in flavor whereas the Ecuadorian-grown, Sumatra seed wrappers are much
richer in flavor. You'll find these on Hoyo De Monterrey, Punch, Avo
Signature, Puros Indios and many other heartier blends.
As you smoke cigars, you may eventually find a preference for a
particular wrapper. Once "hooked," some cigar smokers won't smoke
anything else. They may try different brands, but the wrapper has to be
the same. Go ahead and experiment by trying different wrappers; that's
what makes cigar smoking such a great adventure.
*** SURVEY SAYS! DEPT.***
Name The Famous Smoke Shop Newsletter and WIN!
They pay me to be creative around here, but even Hemingway got
writer's block, so I'm asking for your help in coming up with a name
for this newsletter. Get your creative juices flowing and send an email
to: with your suggested title in the Subject
line. The person who's title is selected will receive a prize for their efforts!
(ONE title per email, per name ONLY, please. We have been receiving
multiple suggestions from the same addressees. In fairness to others, please
take your "best shot" and send only one message.)
Survey Results for June 10th: Toss 'Em Or Keep 'Em Lit?
The results of our survey on whether you'd rather put out a bitter cigar
than keep smoking it resulted in the largest response yet and was split
as follows:
53% YES, if it goes bitter, it goes out
47% NO, stick it out
Another close one. Most of the those in favor of putting out just didn't
see the point in smoking something that tasted bad. But a couple of good
cases were made for sticking it out. The one that came up most often was
that in some cases, a cigar will turn around. Two good examples are the
Fuente Opus X and the Hoyo Dark Sumatra, which tend to be very spicy
at first and then round right out. Other respondents offered advice like
taking fewer and lighter puffs, letting the cigar rest longer between puffs
and blowing through the cigar to remove the bitterness. Thanks to all of
you who participated.
*** SMOKERS ED. DEPT.***
Cigar Terms & Tips (Collect and trade em'!)
Band - A ring of paper wrapped around the closed head of most cigars.
Legend says that cigar bands were invented by Catherine the Great or by
Spanish nobles to keep their gloves from being stained. Others credit
this invention to a Dutch advertising and promotion genius named Gustave
Bock, who stated that the band helped keep the cigar wrapper together.
Cigar bands are often printed with the name of the brand, country of
origin and/or indication that the cigar is hand-rolled. They also often
have colorful graphics, which have made them popular collectors' items.
In many folk tales, a cigar band served as a wedding band in impromptu
ceremonies. Although in some circles, etiquette requires it appropriate
to remove the band, others feel it is absolutely fine to leave the band
on while smoking. Just be careful not to tear the wrapper if you do
remove it.
Once You Light It, Don't Bite It
Here's a tip from our Retail Store Manager and "cigar aficionada,"
Lisa Freytes, on one of the causes of uneven burning cigars:
Believe it or not, how you "bite" on the cigar may affect the way it
burns. If you tend to be a "chomper" and flatten the head of the cigar
with your teeth, it will have an effect on the way the cigar burns - even
if the cigar is drawing fine. If you know that your humidor conditions
are ideal, have lit the cigar evenly and still have a problem with uneven
burning, try to become more conscious of how you hold the cigar in your
mouth. Chances are you may be applying a little too much pressure.
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What about you? If you'd like to share your thoughts and experiences
on this week's cigar tip, please e-mail me at
*** SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION DEPT.***
Have a question about the care and feeding of your cigars? Send your
questions and comments to me at: . I will
try to respond as quickly as possible, but some replies may take a few
days. (Please DO NOT use the "askGary" address to be removed
from the newsletter list. Thank you.)
*** RATING LUNATIC DEPT.***
Zino Platnum Scepter Series "Shorty"
Size/Wrapper: 4 1/2" x 43 / Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade Natural
This cigar lived up to its description in that it was quite full-bodied.
Most apparent to me was the aroma, which was sweet and woody.
The draw was perfect and the smoke itself, exceptionally smooth
and thick. There was a noticeable spicy kick to it on the back of the
throat in the first third. I discovered that with a cigar of this size,
which I normally do not smoke, I had to take smaller and fewer hits
on it to keep it from becoming too strong. Still burning perfectly by
the halfway mark, it began to take on a new dimension, but the power
of this cigar didn't quit. The cigar had no distinctive "flavors" other than
it was very woody. I smoked it while drinking a bottle of water, but I
imagine this cigar would be superb with a good glass of Port. A little too
potent for me, but I have a feeling cigar smokers who can better appreciate
a spicy cigar will be easily seduced by this hot little number. ~ Y/T
Excalibur 1066 "Dark Knight"
Size/Wrapper: 5 3/4" x 54 / Cuban-Seed Connecticut Oscuro
Who says the Dark Knight is always the bad guy? Having smoked other
Hoyo De Monterrey cigars, I bought a box sight-unseen. This dark
beauty has a peppery yet surprisingly smooth taste for a full cigar with
a nice coffee like cedar aroma. The draw is excellent and it smoked
consistently even with a nice long ash. If you enjoy Hoyo Sumatra this
is a must try cigar! - Foy Sperring, Bay Shore, NY , June 16, 2003
(Customer reviews are selected at random and may be edited for
length, not content.)
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(AGREE? DISAGREE? Your opinion may be similar or completely different and
is also appreciated, so don't be shy. Rate the cigars you smoke on our web
site.
What you say can help others make a more informed decision, even you!)
*** GIVE THAT MAN A CIGAR! DEPT.***
Cigar tasting events in our retail store at 1100 Conroy Place, Easton, PA
Call 610-559-8800 for more info and offers associated with these events.
Alfons Mayer (BLD) - Saturday, July 12, 12:00 - 4:00 P.M.
La Aurora 100th Anniversary! - Friday, July 18, 3:00 - 6:00 P.M.
*** EYES ON THE PRIZE DEPT.***
Cigar Sightings!
"Great picture of Martin Brodeur smoking a Hoyo Excalibur after
winning his third Stanley Cup!" - Rich Zaleski, Schererville, IN
Other ‘Famous’ Cigar Smokers Caught in the Act!
Here is a picture of me (The Groom) and three of my guys all
smoking the Macanudo Robust Hampton Court that I bought from
Famous-Smoke. The Wedding was great, the cigars were great and
our Honeymoon to the Dominican Republic was great. I only bought
a few cigars down there...in most cases YOURS ARE CHEAPER!
Thanks again for the great cigars. - Tom King, Ithacha, NY
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Have You Made A Cigar Sighting Recently?
It can be from a
movie, TV show or a celebrity you've seen elsewhere or in-person
puffing on a primo. If you can name the brand of the cigar, even
better! Or send in a herfing photo of you and your friends to me at
and please put "Cigar Sightings"
in the subject line. Limit: 1 sighting or photo (preferably, a JPEG)
per email.
Until the next issue, July 8th, Happy Smokes!
Gary
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Copyright© 2003 Famous Smoke Shop - PA, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Portions or all of this information may be reprinted freely, provided this
link, http://www.famous-smoke.com, remains intact.
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