What is a Maduro Cigar and Wrapper? Is it Stronger?
By Jesmin Botello
Do you know about Maduro wrappers and cigars?
So, what is a Maduro cigar wrapper? Maduro translates to ‘mature’ or ‘ripe’. Ever wonder what a Maduro cigar is, what the wrapper means, or whether they truly are stronger? Cigar Country has answers!
How strong are Maduro cigars?
Newcomers to cigars might wonder why the darker leaf. After leaves are picked, the curation process can last 45 days, giving a darker color and lighter taste. Longer fermentation means oils are broken up, making them milder. The Maduros are typically darker in color. However, color varies with cigars and brands. They can range from dark brown to midnight black or Oscuro. They are typically more complex, just like a dark beer or aged rum.
The 4 factors that make up Maduro wrappers
The DNA of Maduro wrappers is diverse and is based on many factors.
1. Seeds & origin
The leaves used to create a Maduro Wrapper have to be thicker since they require extra fermentation. Not all of them can withstand the extra heat of up to 150 degrees! This extended high temperature of fermentation turns the leaves the dark brown Maduro color. The longer the fermentation period, the darker the color and the milder the wrappers will become. The whole fermentation and curation process lasts as long as 6 years or as little as 4 weeks.
Acidity and flavor are affected by the lands the leaves are grown on. Most Maduro wrappers are Connecticut Broadleaf, Mexican San Andres, Brazilian, or Habano.
2. Cultivation
Top leaves are used. Their resistance is bigger as they are more exposed to the sun. When flowers are picked, the plant focuses energy on fattening up leaves which produces more of the natural oils and sugars that contribute to taste.
3. Harvest
Most leaves are stalk-cut. The tobacco plant is cut entirely not picked partially and in most cases.
4. How it’s processed
Manipulating the curing, fermenting, and aging stages.
Lighting a Maduro cigar
Maduro tobacco develops a thick, oily character causing the cigar to burn slowly. The binder, meant to keep all the parts of a cigar burning evenly will have its work cut out for it, as a thick and oily wrapper can be tricky to light.
Suggestions:
- Warm up the foot.
- Do not remove the flame from the foot until fully lit.
Learn more on how to light a cigar.
Top 5 Maduro cigars recommended by Cigar Country
La Flor Dominicana (LFD) La Volcada
Strength: Full
Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Mexico San Andres
Macanudo Vintage Maduro 1997 Toro
Strength: Medium
Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
La Flor Dominicana (LFD) Double Ligero Digger Maduro
Strength: Full
Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador, Oscuro, Sumatra
Romeo y Julieta 1875 Reserve Maduro No. 4
Strength: Full
Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
La Flor Dominicana (LFD) Double Ligero 700 Maduro
Strength: Full
Country: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuador, Oscuro, Sumatra
You can also check out all of the Maduro cigars we have in our portfolio! If you have any more questions, reach out to Cigar Country via the contact form or live chat.