A Guide to Cigar Classifications: Wrapper Colours

Cigars are a symbol of craftsmanship, tradition, and luxury. Much like wine or spirits, cigars can vary greatly in flavor, strength, and aroma based on factors such as where they’re grown, how they’re rolled, and the type of tobacco used. Understanding the different ways cigars are classified can enhance your appreciation and guide you toward finding the perfect stick. Below is an overview of the most common classifications of wrapper colours. Enjoy.

1. Wrapper Color and Type

Perhaps the most visually apparent way to classify a cigar is by its wrapper—the outermost leaf that contributes significantly to flavor, aroma, and appearance. While there are many nuances, cigar wrappers are often grouped into a few broad categories:

1. Claro / Double Claro 

   - Color: Very light, sometimes greenish hue (referred to as “Candela”). 

   - Profile: Mild in flavor, often with grassy or slightly sweet notes. 

   - Key Fact: The green tint comes from a faster drying process that locks in the leaf’s chlorophyll.

2. Connecticut Shade / Natural 

   - Color: Light tan or pale brown. 

   - Profile: Generally mild to medium-bodied with creamy, smooth flavors. 

   - Key Fact: Connecticut wrappers, which are sometimes interchangeable with Claro wrappers, are shade-grown from Connecticut seed, usually either in the U.S. or in Ecuador. Shade-grown refers to the process of being grown under giant sheets of cheesecloth, which keeps the leaves from being exposed to too much sunlight; this ensures that they have a milder flavor.

3. Colorado 

   - Color: Reddish-brown. 

   - Profile: Balanced flavor, leaning toward medium strength, with notes of cedar and subtle spice. 

   - Key Fact: “Colorado” references the slight red tint of the wrapper, often associated with tobacco grown in Cuba or Honduras.

4. Colorado Maduro 

   - Color: Darker brown with reddish undertones. 

   - Profile: Rich, moderately sweet, often with hints of coffee and cocoa. 

   - Key Fact: This shade bridges the gap between medium and dark wrappers, offering balanced depth.

5. Maduro 

   - Color: Deep brown to nearly black. 

   - Profile: Often sweet, earthy, and full-bodied. Flavors can include chocolate, espresso, or dark fruit. 

   - Key Fact: Maduro is the Spanish word for "ripe" and is used cigar-wise to refer to the extra time required and the dark colors achieved during the natural fermentation of Maduro wrappers. Typically these wrappers are oily, plush with flavor, and earthy to the nose.

6. Oscuro 

   - Color: Very dark brown to black. 

   - Profile: Bold, robust flavor, often the strongest in terms of body and complexity. 

   - Key Fact: Oscuro wrappers are fermented the longest and are typically harvested from the top leaves (highest priming) of the tobacco plant.

 So, who’s your favourite wrapper?! Not sure? Try them all i say, this is how you’ll discover your preferences, whether a light morning smoke or a rich, full bodied one for a special occasion. You might like them all. Happy smoking!