Cigar Wrappers

Cigar wrappers make cigars taste great and look fantastic.

What makes cigar wrappers different from cigarette wrappers?
Cigars are made of three different types of tobacco leaves. The variation of these leaves determine the characteristics of the cigar.

The outer leaves of the cigar are the cigar wrapper. They come from the broadest part of the plant. The wrapper adds much to the character and flavor of the cigar. It also defines the color of the cigar as a whole.

A cigarette is distinguished from a cigar by its smaller size, use of processed leaf, and paper wrapping, which is usually white, though other colors are available. Cigars are typically composed entirely of whole-leaf tobacco.

How are cigar wrappers made?
A cigar's outermost leaves, or wrapper, come from the widest part of the plant. The wrapper determines much of the cigar's character and flavor, and as such its color is often used to describe the cigar as a whole. Colors are designated as follows, from lightest to darkest.

How is the cigar wrapper prepared?
After tobacco leaves have aged, they are sorted out to be used as fillers or wrappers. Quality and appearance determine which leaves will become wrappers. Leaves are moistening and handled very carefully to ensure the integrity of every leaf.

Leaves are bailed, then inspected, then unbaled, then reinspected, then baled over again as they continue to mature. At the height of their maturity, leaves are then used to make cigars.

Where are cigar wrappers grown?
The tobacco that is used to make cigar wrappers is grown in the Latin American Countries of Brazil, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, and Honduras. In Asia, it is grown in Indonesia, Sumatra, and the Philippines.

Some of the more notable cigar wrappers are grown in the West African country of Cameroon, and some cigar tobacco is grown in the Eastern United States.

Why are so many cigar wrappers grown in these other countries?
It has a lot to do with soil content and climate. The best environment for tobacco to grow is in ground that is rich and loamy. The optimal climate conditions are those where it is moist and mild throughout the year. Such conditions not only contribute to the health and vitality of the plants, but they also contribute to how tobacco tastes.

In fact, if you take a seed from tobacco in say, Cameroon, and grow it in Brazil or Kentucky, the product you produce will taste differently than the Cameroon parent plants.

Because of this, you will always see on our site a strong emphasis on cigar wrapper and the country of origin. This is both to help the new cigar smoker learn more about their new passion, and to also give experienced smokers a very vital piece of information to the art and lifestyle of smoking cigars.

601 Cigars

The 601 line of cigars by United Brands is characterized by some of the finest tobaccos in the world and is a favorite of cigar aficionados around the globe. A few of the more favored brands are featured in today’s blog. More brands can be purchased through Serious Cigars through our online store.

601 Red
The 601 Red features an exquisite blend of aged Nicaraguan tobaccos wrapped in a "beautifully oily Nicaraguan Habano Natural." It has a superb aroma and flavor that lasts until the very end. This 601 Cigar is not for the faint of heart. It is for experienced smokers only, and it has been highly rated by both Cigar Aficionado and Cigar Insider.

601 Blue
This 601 cigar series is slightly box pressed to create the perfect smoke. It is characterized by a full-bodied flavor that has been perfectly blended for superb taste, flavor and aroma. If you prefer flavor over strength, you will love this brand. Flavors range from medium to full in a Nicaragua filler and binder.

601 Green
This is the latest edition in the 601 cigar series. With tobaccos wrapped in a "exquisite oily Nicaraguan Habano Oscuro," this full-bodied 601 cigar is by far the fullest and strongest of the series. It has been perfectly blended for superb taste, flavor and aroma while maintaining strength.

601 Black
Wrapped in a rich and oily Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, the rich Nicaraguan fillers and binders make this 601 cigar far richer and fuller bodied than any Connecticut wrapper cigar you have ever smoked
Flavor ranges from medium to full bodied, depending on the vitola.

The CUBAO
Manufactured in Estelí, Nicaragua, it is made exclusively for United Tobacco by Pepin Garcia
This latest addition to line of premium cigars comes in an Ecuador Oscuro Sumatra wrapper.

Mi Barrio
This limited edition 601 cigar is seasonally released only four times a year. Featuring a Nicaragua Habano Wrapper, it comes in wooden boxes of 20 decorated with artwork that pays tribute to Pepin Garcia and Orestes Espinosa, Sr., who was Erik Espinosa’s father and a lifelong cigar aficionado.

EO
EO 601 cigars are handmade in Nicaragua. This is an excellent choice if you are looking for everyday long filler at an affordable price. The mild blend of Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Panamanian tobaccos
The mild taste comes from a blend of Nicaraguan, Honduran and Panamanian tobaccos in an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. The EO is sold in bundles of 21.

Panama Red, blend #5
This magnificent 601 cigar is handmade in Estelí, Nicaragua and is made only from the finest tobaccos that are grown in the region. This blend of many fine Nicaraguan tobaccos, with just the right amount of Panamanian Ligero, is topped off with Nicaraguan Habano wrapper. This sandwich is cigar made with finest medium filler tobaccos available and is sold in self-standing POS boxes of 25 cigars. Flavors range from medium to full.