Cigar Wrapper Guide: Corojo Wrappers

A pile of plastic wrapped cigars with an unwrapped cigar lying on top

Cigars are crafted to be enjoyed, the craftsmanship qualities of a cigar are impressive, every fine detail serves a delicious purpose- including the wrapper.

If you are intending on purchasing a cigar that has been entwined in a Corojo wrapper, then look no further. Here at Havana House, we not only pride ourselves on our extensive selection of cigars but also our articles and advice!

Do Cigar Wrappers Affect The Taste?

Cigar wrappers are not only decorative features to the cigar, they also help to pronounce the flavours as you draw. When you puff, the oils from the cigar will be absorbed into the saliva, adding to how you experience its personality.

Any given wrapper will provide some sort of flavour, the main reason behind this is due to it being located on the outside of the cigar. The wrapper is more exposed to air which will bring out the added flavour.

A wrapper will usually account for around 60-90% of the cigars general flavour. So next time you find yourself browsing through cigars, we suggest you pay particular attention to the wrapper.

For example, if you’re interested in a much milder flavour, you’ll probably take more interest in a mild leaf wrapper such as the Connecticut Shade, as opposed to a robust leaf wrapper like the Corojo.

What is a Corojo Wrapper?

Corojo is a type of tobacco that is primarily used to wrap cigars. Originally the variety was grown in the Vuelta Abajo regions of Cuba, but it is now cultivated in the Jamastran Valley of Honduras as well as Kentucky, America.

There are around 50 kinds of wrapper leaves that originate from four main wrapper leaf types, these are:

  • Connecticut
  • Corojo
  • Habano
  • Maduro
A half smoked cigar lying in an ashtray

What do Corojo Wrappers Taste Like?

Corojo is slightly darker in colour as opposed to a Connecticut wrapper. It is recognised for its pepper and spice. Its flavours are a common favourite among cigar smokers because of its robust flavour that can produce a unique and zesty aroma.

If you’re new to smoking, then it might be worth noting that Corojo wrappers are often tougher in comparison to other leaf wrappers and won’t smoke as easily. Instead, they will provide you with a slower smoking experience.

A cigar being taken out of a box

The History of The Corojo Wrapper

Corojo is a famed leaf of Cuba’s finest cigars that were created between the 1930s and 1990s. To this day its variants are still increasingly sought after due to the robust and complex flavour of the wrapper.

The Origins of The Corojo Wrapper

The leaf was developed during the 1930s by Diego Rodriguez at his farm in Vuelta Abajo, one of Cuba’s famed tobacco-growing regions. With the use of selective cross-breeding, the Corojo seeds were produced from Criollo seeds.

The Corojo Name Origins

The leaf’s name comes from the Santa Ines del Corojo Vega, also known as the ‘El Corojo’ plantation. The name and logo of the plantation were derived from a palm tree that Rodriguez found growing on the tobacco farm.

Rodriguez aimed to create a superior-quality wrapper for Cuban cigars. He had been working with this in mind since the early 1920s.

The result of the long years he invested into his goal was a plant that produced eight to nine pairs of leaves with fine lines for veins. When ripened the leaves turned to a dark brown and uniform colour. It was shortly recognised for its distinctively smooth but sweet, spicy and peppery flavour profile.

The Last of The Corojo Wrappers

Sadly, the leaf was susceptible to blue mould and black shank, as well as various other tobacco diseases. By the 1990s, growing Corojo and Criollo seeds came to a halt. The seeds have been replaced and crossbred with other plants that are much more resilient.

When these new leaves were compared to the characteristics of the original Corojo leaves, they were found to be every bit as successful in terms of colour, elasticity, flavour and aroma.

Hybrid Corojo Wrappers

Today Corojo still exists, but only in the form of hybrid varieties that are grown in an array of different countries. Here we have listed a few of our favourites for you to try.

Honduran Corojo

This leaf is sweet and spicy, carrying complexity in every puff. An enticing example of how strong and flavourful the Corojo wrapper is the Camacho Corojo, it perfectly demonstrates its strength and delicious flavours.

If you would like to taste a full-bodied and spicy cigar, we would recommend our Camacho Corojo Robusto. Its filler is completely Honduran and offers tons of earthy and peppery notes, along with an elongated and leathery finish.

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Habano 200

Habano 200 was created by crossing Corojo with a milder Cuban tobacco. This hybrid is much more resistant to disease, as it was developed after Corojo was impacted by blue mould. The leaf is thicker than the Connecticut shade but is not as thick as the Broadleaf.

The hybrid is grown in Ecuador, Nicaragua and Honduras. The Honduran wrapper is rich and creamy, whereas the Nicaraguan wrappers are much richer and fuller-bodied.

Mexican San Andres Corojo

This leaf is distinctive because of its dark reddish-brown hue, which will usually offer a nutty flavour to the cigar.

We hope this has provided you with all the information you were looking for about Corojo wrappers. If you would like to know something specific about Corojo wrappers then please feel free to contact a member of our team who will be happy to help.

You can find other information and advice about cigars on our blog, such as our Cigar Wrapper guide about Connecticut wrappers. If you find yourself craving the taste of a complex and robust cigar then we highly recommend you take a look at our selection of Corojo cigars here, at Havana House.

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