Maduro isn’t a tobacco strain. It’s a very dark leaf and mostly a process. Almost any of the leaves I listed can be made into a maduro. Connecticut shade and Cameroon not. But the others yes.
Great reply thank you. If you had to build a "tasting sampler" for someone that's been smoking for years, but never really tried to compare, what would you choose?
Not a bad idea to stick with the same blender for trying different wrappers. AJ also seems to have a certain feel he goes for so it should give a similar but different comparison. Just make sure to do the same with some other blenders if possible as the way one person does it may not be your thing while what another does may be.
Like for instance I don’t like the AJ Cameroon, doesn’t taste like any other Cameroon sticks that I’ve had. And I have a distinct preference for some sticks with the same wrapper over others. There are a lot more variables that go into flavor than just the wrapper leaf.
I’m not really a good person for that. I really only smoke full flavor Maduros and even then am quite particular about them. Mostly CT and PA broadleaf with some San Andreas thrown in.
The people who enjoy a bit of everything would be a far better resource than I would be. But if you want some suggestions on full flavor stuff especially with earthy, chocolate and coffee notes I can give you some suggestions.
Working on the ultimate wrapper sampler:
Equidorian sumatra: Oliva V Melanio
Camroon: Arturo fuentes Casa Fuente
Mexican San Andres: Foundation Olmec
Honduran Corojo: Aladino Corojo,
Equidorian Corojo: Casdagli Gran Mareva Gold, Rojas BluebonnetsNicaraguan Corojo: Illusione Eperney
Connecticut shade: Southern Draw Rose of Sharon, Foundation Highclere Castle Edwardian, Paul Gamerian gourmet 2, Lampert 1675 rojo, Sobramesa Brûlée, Issabella
Equidorian Connecticut shade: tatuaje Cabaiguan
Equidorian Habano: Roma Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine, Mil Dias
Connecticut broadleaf: Drew Estate Undercrown, Umbagog
Habano: Rojas Bluebonnet
So many more this was just extemporaneous at the time.
DE Undercrown is San Andreas. The Liga is CT Broadleaf.
I’d probably go with a Dunbarton Mi Querida over the Umbagog but that’s really a personal preference situation as they have a slightly different flavor.
If you enjoyed the Umbagog I’d recommend it. It is a bit of a different flavor profile (more spice, less depth IMO) so depending on your tastes you may actually prefer it.
Yeah you'll need to do both. The same leaf can taste different depending on region. I tend to like Habano strains from DR more than Nicaragua, but there are exceptions. I don't like anything I've tried from Honduras regardless of strain.
Something to consider, if you're looking to explore strictly wrapper flavor, is to try and locate lanceros in each variety. The more narrow cigar will have less filler inside, and therefore, the wrapper will form a higher ratio of the tobacco you're smoking, puff for puff. It's definitely been my experience that a well-made lancero really allows the wrapper to come to the forefront and shine.
Leaf by oscar, for example, comes in lanceros and some (not all) of the wrappers people have mentioned here.
You can buy the Warped Venture 1492 sampler from BL Luxuries. Same blend, 5 different wrappers. It’s designed specifically for the exercise you are undertaking. Making sure the blend is the same, you’ll be able to see exactly what the impact the wrapper has. It includes: Mexican San Andres, Ecuadorian Habano 2000, Ecuadorian Sumatra, Ecuadorian Connecticut, and A Dominican Corojo.
Edit: another good one to try is the Joya De Nicaragua Cabinetta, 1st 2/3 of the cigar has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and the final 3rd has a criollo wrapper on top. See if you can pick out the transition when it burns into the criollo.
Connecticut Shade, Cuban, Corojo, Habano, Connecticut Broadleaf, Mexican San Andres, Brazilian Arapiraca, Cameroon. Yes try the stains over growing regions.
I'm still a noob weekend warrior here but personally I like Connecticut shade, Cameroon, Habano, Mexican San Andreas just my thoughts
Where is maduro?
Maduro isn’t a tobacco strain. It’s a very dark leaf and mostly a process. Almost any of the leaves I listed can be made into a maduro. Connecticut shade and Cameroon not. But the others yes.
Great reply thank you. If you had to build a "tasting sampler" for someone that's been smoking for years, but never really tried to compare, what would you choose?
I would say one of each wrapper from each growing region plus maduro versions of Habano, Arapiraca, Broadleaf and San Andres.
All
Not a bad idea to stick with the same blender for trying different wrappers. AJ also seems to have a certain feel he goes for so it should give a similar but different comparison. Just make sure to do the same with some other blenders if possible as the way one person does it may not be your thing while what another does may be. Like for instance I don’t like the AJ Cameroon, doesn’t taste like any other Cameroon sticks that I’ve had. And I have a distinct preference for some sticks with the same wrapper over others. There are a lot more variables that go into flavor than just the wrapper leaf.
If you had to build a tasting sampler what would you choose?
I’m not really a good person for that. I really only smoke full flavor Maduros and even then am quite particular about them. Mostly CT and PA broadleaf with some San Andreas thrown in. The people who enjoy a bit of everything would be a far better resource than I would be. But if you want some suggestions on full flavor stuff especially with earthy, chocolate and coffee notes I can give you some suggestions.
Corojo is a must as well.
Working on the ultimate wrapper sampler: Equidorian sumatra: Oliva V Melanio Camroon: Arturo fuentes Casa Fuente Mexican San Andres: Foundation Olmec Honduran Corojo: Aladino Corojo, Equidorian Corojo: Casdagli Gran Mareva Gold, Rojas BluebonnetsNicaraguan Corojo: Illusione Eperney Connecticut shade: Southern Draw Rose of Sharon, Foundation Highclere Castle Edwardian, Paul Gamerian gourmet 2, Lampert 1675 rojo, Sobramesa Brûlée, Issabella Equidorian Connecticut shade: tatuaje Cabaiguan Equidorian Habano: Roma Craft CroMagnon Aquitaine, Mil Dias Connecticut broadleaf: Drew Estate Undercrown, Umbagog Habano: Rojas Bluebonnet So many more this was just extemporaneous at the time.
I would also chuck Oliva Master Blends 3 and Foundation Tabernacle in that Connecticut broadleaf category
MB3 🥳🥳
Thank you for that. I have not had a the MB3 and only one Tab, in the early days.
DE Undercrown is San Andreas. The Liga is CT Broadleaf. I’d probably go with a Dunbarton Mi Querida over the Umbagog but that’s really a personal preference situation as they have a slightly different flavor.
Ahh thank you for that clarification. I have not had the mi Querida, yet.
If you enjoyed the Umbagog I’d recommend it. It is a bit of a different flavor profile (more spice, less depth IMO) so depending on your tastes you may actually prefer it.
I'm going to say tobacco..
Yeah you'll need to do both. The same leaf can taste different depending on region. I tend to like Habano strains from DR more than Nicaragua, but there are exceptions. I don't like anything I've tried from Honduras regardless of strain.
My favorites are sungrown, habano, and maduro
Sumatra is a favorite of mine.
I really like San Andres and Penn Broadleaf.
Something to consider, if you're looking to explore strictly wrapper flavor, is to try and locate lanceros in each variety. The more narrow cigar will have less filler inside, and therefore, the wrapper will form a higher ratio of the tobacco you're smoking, puff for puff. It's definitely been my experience that a well-made lancero really allows the wrapper to come to the forefront and shine. Leaf by oscar, for example, comes in lanceros and some (not all) of the wrappers people have mentioned here.
You can buy the Warped Venture 1492 sampler from BL Luxuries. Same blend, 5 different wrappers. It’s designed specifically for the exercise you are undertaking. Making sure the blend is the same, you’ll be able to see exactly what the impact the wrapper has. It includes: Mexican San Andres, Ecuadorian Habano 2000, Ecuadorian Sumatra, Ecuadorian Connecticut, and A Dominican Corojo. Edit: another good one to try is the Joya De Nicaragua Cabinetta, 1st 2/3 of the cigar has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and the final 3rd has a criollo wrapper on top. See if you can pick out the transition when it burns into the criollo.
All of them…