A Maduro wrapper is a dark, earthy, slightly sweet cover leaf that has been used on countless chart-topping cigars in years past. These include the Padrón 1926 Anniversary Series Maduro, Rocky Patel The Edge Maduro, Oliva Serie V Maduro, Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9, and lots more.
It’s just a flavor revelation. For many cigar lovers, the Maduro wrapper is a favorite that just can’t be dethroned, no matter how nice a Connecticut, Habano, or other wrappers you use.
Maduro wrapper tobacco is made using a fairly straightforward process after harvesting. Tobacco comes in from the field as green like spinach. After a bit of curing, the tobacco has begun to make the transition from lush greenery to smokable cigar leaf. To make a Maduro leaf, however, the grower has to put the tobacco through a process referred to as “fermentation,” although no sugar is converted into alcohol during this step.
Instead, tobacco is piled high and wetted. Heat and pressure cause the tobacco to darken and lose the undesirable compounds present in the Natural green leaf (like ammonia). The temperature of the leaf piles (aka pilones) is carefully monitored, and the leaf piles are taken apart and reconstructed as many times as necessary to keep the process moving along properly. Over the course of weeks and months, this fermentation leads to a rich, dark Maduro wrapper leaf that has an outstanding flavor.
After that, it’s off to flavor testing, blend experimentation, and possibly aging, if needed. Some leaf will lay in storage for months or even years, depending on the blender’s plan for the tobacco and what is needed to help it reach its peak of flavor.
Maduro wrapper cigars are known for dark and earthy flavors. These include chocolate, espresso, and even wood notes like hickory. It depends on which varietal was used to create the Maduro wrapper and where it was grown. A Habano-seed leaf grown in Nicaragua will not make the same Maduro wrapper as a Connecticut broadleaf example grown stateside. This allows Maduro wrapper cigars to display a wide variety of flavor profiles, especially when combined with the rest of the blend components (i.e. binder and filler tobacco).
If you’re looking for a rich and satisfying cigar with the perfect sweetness on the finish, grab a nice Maduro wrapper stogie – you won’t regret it.
Please browse our selection of Maduro Wrapper cigars at your leisure.
