Choosing a Cigar: Color
The color of the cigar can give a hint to the actual taste of a cigar. There are seven colors that cigars can be, based on the wrapper color. In general, the darker the color of the tobacco, the stronger the flavor may be. However, just because a cigar is dark on the outside, does not mean it will be a strong cigar. However, if the filler of the cigar is made of dark tobacco, then it may mean that the cigar will, in fact, be strong. Darker tobacco is due to the extended period tobacco leaves have spent on the tobacco plan. Allowing it more time to mature through increased sunlight exposure. This added sunlight causes the leaves to produce added oils in order to protect the leaves. Moreover, if a manufacturer produces a cigar with stronger or darker filler tobacco and a darker wrapper as well, you assume that you will end up with a stronger cigar. On the contrary, you might have a maduro (darker) wrapper with much milder and lighter filler tobacco on the inside, which will prevent the cigar from being super strong. As you begin to experiment, you will discover the subtleties that can be found in cigars. This will also allow you to begin appreciating how much work and effort goes into blending a cigar. Mostly this effort is all in part of knowing what and how much tobacco should go into a cigar is the secret of creating the tastes we love. Almost the cigar manufacturers own work of art.With the colors are several different wrapper types, each carrying distinctive colors, shapes, textures, and qualities.
DOUBLE CLARO (also called Candela or American Market Select)- green to greenish brown. The color is achieved by picking the leaf before it reaches maturity, and then drying it rapidly. Very mild, almost bland with very little oil.
CLARO - light tan. Usually this is the color of shade grown tobacco. Connecticut Shade wrappers are said to be some of the finest in the world. Shade grown tobacco is grown under large canopies to protect the tobacco from harsh sunlight. Neutral flavor and smooth smoking.
NATURAL - (also called English Market Select) light brown to brown. These are most often sun grown, meaning they are not protected by canopies like shade grown leaves. Fuller bodied flavor than shade grown leaves, but still very smooth.
COLORADO CLARO - mid-brown, tawny. (For example, brands such as Dominican Partagas or Fuentes, using Camaroon wrappers.)
COLORADO - reddish dark brown, aromatic. A cigar with this wrapper tastes robust and rich.
COLORADO MADURO - dark brown, medium strength, slightly more aromatic the maduro. Usually gives a rich flavor, as found in many of the best Honduran cigars.
MADURO - dark brown to very dark brown. These usually have more texture and veining than the lighter wrappers. They are often described as oily looking, with stronger taste - sweet to some palates with a unique aroma.
OSCURO - very dark brown or almost black. They are the strongest tasting of all wrappers. These wrappers tend to be from Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico, or Connecticut Broadleaf.
The term EMS or English Market Selection is a broad one, which refers to brown cigars- anything other double claro, (EMS) essentially.
The darker the color, the sweeter and stronger the flavor is likely to be, and the greater the oil and sugar content of the wrapper. Darker wrappers will normally have spent longer on the tobacco plant. or come from higher altitudes: the extra exposure to sunlight produces both oil (as protection) and sugar (through photosynthesis). They will also have been fermented for longer.