The cigars we love are composed of three main parts: the wrapper, the filler, and the binder. Nothing steals the show or commands more attention than the wrapper component. Largely, the taste of a cigar is led by the leaf that wraps it, and the wrapper furthermore is an important part of what makes a stick appealing enough to pick up and smoke in the first place. If cigars were plays, these below would be the leading performers.

Candela "Not So Mean & Green"

These wrappers were very popular up until the 1970s, so much so that they were given the moniker of American Market Selection (AMS) which is still applied to their classification to this day. Unfortunately, by the 1990's the novelty of these tasty green cigars had worn off, and presently they are being compared by some to anchovy pizza topping.

Still, there is always that one person at the pizzeria that loves them, for every ten that says "Not on my slice please!"

Candela wrappers will appear moderate to bright green as opposed to the brownish hues our eyes are accustomed to seeing in today's cigar age. The greenish hue comes from removing the leaf from the tobacco stalk just before it fully matures, pressing and drying it out quickly, and then moistening it again for wrapping. This process produces a leaf that retains the natural chlorophyll color and taste, giving these wrappers a grassy smell and lime flavor. Smokers find these wrappers to be quite mild, tart, peppery and relatively void of sweetness.

The proper name for this wrapper is Candela, but you will probably find these cigars labeled as Double Claro or Jade as well. Even though these wrappers are now shunned by many and loved by few, they still have a place here. As Kermit always sings, "It Ain't Easy Being Green." If you dare, try a Arturo Fuente Claro.

Valley Connecticut "Connecticut Shade"

This wrapper is produced in the good ole' USA and is the envy of many. Other tobacco producing locations such as the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Mexico have not yet been able to produce the environment required for this leafy treasure. "The Constitution State" has an environment that produces some of the world's best premium tobacco due to its perfect mix of rain, sunshine, and fertile soil.

Connecticut leaves come from tobacco plants that are grown under a cheese cloth that filters the abundant sunlight, causing the leaves to have very light veins and a hyper smooth texture. This process has afforded the wrapper the affectionate name of "Connecticut Shade." Connecticut Shade gives smokers a milder leafy wrapper with tones of pepper, cream, coffee, butter, and cedar.

These wrappers are not very sweet, so if you are looking for something sweeter mosey on down the list because the sugar content on these is nil. A cool Connecticut wrapped cigar to try would be a San Cristobal Elegancia reviewed here.

Ecuadorian Connecticut "We don't need no stinking cheese cloth"

Ecuador, not to be upstaged, has a delightful Connecticut version all its own. The misty air of Ecuador affords tobacco producers there the luxury of skipping the cheese cloth, producing a leaf that is darker and thicker than its American brother. The leaves are more oily, richer in flavor, and stronger to boot. Ecuadorian wrappers are found to be similar in tone to the Valley Connecticut but with an added nuttiness.

Because of its versatility, one will find this type of wrapper affectionately used in medium to full-bodied cigars as well as lighter offerings. A cool Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapped cigar to try would be a San Cristobal Elegancia reviewed here.

Corojo "Honduran Engineered"

The original Corojo, created by Diego Rodriguez in Cuba before the revolution, now hails primarily from the Jamastran region of Honduras. The Corojos now grown in Cuba are genetically engineered hybrids, a result of the original-strain crops there succumbing to various diseases, like blue mold, which this tobacco was particularly susceptible to. Diego's family, on the other hand, preserved the pure strain, and cultivated it in various locales before Jamasatra was found to be the ideal environment.

Thanks to the Rodriguez family, and filtered sunlight through muslin cloth, we are able to continue to enjoy cigars wrapped in the original Corojo outside of Cuban borders. Reddish-brown in hue and oily in nature, this wrapper is robust and bold with a slight cocoa flavor amidst pepper, leather and largely spicy tones. If you want to experience many of the flavors mentioned try one of the Camacho Corojos.

Criollo "Humble Beginnings"

This original Cuban wrapper is given the name "Criollo" which means "native seed." Delightfully bold and leafy, this tobacco strain is said to be the first used in Cuba for wrapping cigars. Dating back as early as the late 1400s, the leaf is born with the shared tones of leather and cocoa from the Corojo, but unlike the Corojo, it enjoys direct sunlight as opposed to being shaded. It distinguishes itself from milder choices by being a bit darker in coloring and more peppery in taste.

Because of its susceptibility to mold, Criollo is usually blended with the more hardy engineered version of itself known as Criollo '98; this means growers and cigar makers need to depend less on crops of the pure-strain, but more vulnerable original. If you are feeling particularly nostalgic and want to experience old Cuba, trying the Criollo Mancha may be ideal for an early evening smoke.

Cameroon "Taste of Africa"

These toothy treasures are proudly produced in Cameroon within the Central African Republic. The leaves are very delicate and elastic because of the optimum cloud cover and diffusion of sunlight that this region of Africa provides naturally. Cameroon wrappings have a sandy, drier, low-oil finish.

Because of the completely natural way that the tobacco plant is grown, the color of the wrapping can be inconsistent when compared to a Connecticut or Ecuadorian wrapper. Even though it is not very golden, particularly attractive, or as stylish as some of the other brethren listed here, this leaf is an ideal choice when creating a cigar that isn't supposed to make you sweat and shudder.

I find these to be quite the wise choice for smokers working at the office or doing tasks that require a clearer mind. A Cameroon wrapped cigar will easily give a smoker pleasing memories of butter, toast and pepper flavors. Try a Serie G if you want to experience a cigar that will rub you the right way and tastes great while doing so.

Sumatra "Cinnamon Sweet"

Even though the Sumatra leaf originates from its namesake island in Indonesia, it is mostly produced today in Ecuador and Honduras. The buck stops here for someone looking for a sweeter smoking experience. This leaf naturally produces cinnamon, earth, and floral notes while maintaining a relatively smooth texture.

Sumatra is used in the production of flavor-infused cigars such as those by Acid because of its mild nature and tendency to leave a sweet aftertaste during a mellow smoke. If you want a go at an infused cigar try the Kuba Kuba and let me know how you feel about this Acid offering.

Habano "So Very Cuban"

Habano wrappers are as close a match in spice to a Cuban cigar as any listed here. This leaf is grown using Cuban seed, primarily in Nicaragua, but can be planted and grown in a multitude of other locales as well. You will find this leaf to be darker in hue visually and much stronger. With the Habano, you get an amazing dose of spice with bonus notes of cedar, bread, coffee, and leather.

Obviously with a stronger cigar wrapping, smokers will get more nicotine, and the Habano wrapper will not disappoint. For a cigar that will please experienced cigar lovers and neophytes alike try Joye de Nicaragua RED which has been reviewed here.

Maduro "All Grown-up"

Maduro is not a strain of leaf, but more a process like the not-so-widely favored Candela mentioned earlier. Wikipedia will tell you that the word "maduro" means mature or ripe. My friends, Mr. Wik is right. Many of the strains that we have discussed previously could become a Maduro wrapper with the right treatment. Though some manufactures will skirt the process and net poor results, the road to a great Maduro wrapper involve 45 days of curing and years of aging.

Like wine, aging makes tobacco wrappers all the more delicious. These leaves are typically darker in color, milder, sweeter, and more flavorful. Caramel, berries, chocolate, and black pepper are just a few of the flavors that can be achieved from the longer curing and aging process.

The term "maduro" has confused many, because of the reckless way that we, myself included, use the term. A wrapper can be described as "maduro-colored" which is not to be confused with actually being Maduro. "Maduro-colored" can get even more sketchy in that there are three colors associated with the name. Colorado Maduro (dark-brown), Maduro (pretty gosh darn dark), and Double Maduro (pretty close to black). I find the 1964 Padron Maduro to be quite delightful.

Oscuro "Double Maduro"

Double Maduro or Maduro Maduro are both names used to describe the Oscuro wrapped cigars found to be darkest in hue, and pleasantly strong for experienced smokers. Smoking this one will give aficionados even more flavor and sweetness than a normal Maduro would deliver.

By aging the leaves even longer, manufacturers can give you a more lasting, richer flavor. The confusion of the Maduro labeling doesn't stop with the Oscuro. Oscuros are labeled "Double Maduro" interchangeably for the type of wrapper, to define the components of the stick, or both. A cigar that has a Maduro filler in addition to a Maduro wrapper could also be called a Double Maduro even if it's not actually Oscuro. Hence, you may find a cigar that has an Oscuro wrapping, binder, and filler and thus labeled ... wait for it ... A Triple Maduro or Maduro Maduro Maduro. Say that three times fast, try the La Flor Dominica Cabinet, lie down, and call me in the morning.

Rosada "Red Unicorn"

Rarest of the lot you will find in-store or out is the Rosada wrapped cigar. In Spanish, Rosada means "rosy," and it is pink or red in hue and very spicy. The spiciest of cigar wrappers originates in some shape or form from Cuba, and this leaf is very difficult to grow outside of that little island.

The Rosada is sought after and adored because of its rarity and offers along with the bold spice, notes of cedar, coffee, and pepper. As you will no doubt notice, I have no cigar choice linked here to recommend. If anyone has one in mind, share it below, and I will gladly try it out.