Color

As I stated above, there are fifty colors of cigar, all of which fall into one of six basic categories. There is a lot of myth around what each color means, and try not to be fooled by it. A common misconception is that you can tell how the cigar will taste simply by looking at the color. In truth, the shade of wrapper does add to the taste, but that is all. It does not, by any means, overpower the filler.

What you need to know is simple: A light colored wrapper adds a milder taste. A dark color lends a fuller body to the taste.

A Conspiracy of Six

There are six basic wrappers (our six basic color categories) and we will begin to cover them in this section. We will begin with the Claro Wrapper.

Claro Wrappers

When the novice thinks of a cigar wrapper (if they even do), they instinctively think of the Claro wrapper, and with good reason. Claro is the most common, and in fact, is often referred to as Natural. It is very light brown in color. If the plant has been grown properly, it will appear like a strand of tan silk. If it has not been handled properly (ie; allowed too much sunlight), it may appear as a darker brown. Expect the wrapper to be oily in appearance, shining in the display case.

The taste of a Claro is smooth and airy. It should feel like silk on the tongue. You can find it on Ashton, Avo Uvezian, Don Diego, and many others. If you are a fan of non-blended cigars (Cubans), then you will see them on the Cohiba.

Colorado Claro

Dark red in color (Colorado is Spanish for colored, hence the name), the Colorado Claro adds more of a kick to the cigar than its brother the Claro, adding a nutty flavor. It can be found on Connecticut, Honduran, and Cameroon, and Cuban tobacco. Examples of cigars with this type of wrapper are the H. Upmann and the Hoyo de Monterrey.

Double Claro

The Double Claro sports a light green color. Of all the wrappers, it is perhaps the hardest to find on the market today. Once heralded as an American favorite, somewhere between the 1970s and 1980s this guy fell out of favor. It is known for its mildness, and is often described as “blah” or bland. Also known as Candela or American Market, this wrapper can be found on relatively cheap cigars such as the Macanudo.