Telltale Wrapper?

I know a guy who can tell where a wrapper is from simply by looking at a cigar for five seconds. Are there any telltale characteristics that indicate the origin of a cigar?

Posted: September 10, 2012

That's impressive talent, but it is far easier to identify the seed-type than the origin.

It is virtually impossible to decipher the difference between different wrappers in terms of origin. For example, Connecticut-shade grown in Connecticut and Connecticut-shade grown in Ecuador look very similar despite geographical differences.

By the same token, the appearance of Cuban-seed tobacco grown in Nicaragua may look like that grown in the Vuelta Abajo in Cuba. In addition, the continuing development of various hybrids makes your friend's endeavors of pointing out the origins that much more challenging.

Despite the lack of concrete indicators, there are some general rules. The best wrappers from Cuba can look like silk, with exceedingly close cell structure; they don't feel like vegetable matter because their surface is so smooth. They also possess an elasticity and strength often lacking in wrapper leaves from other countries.

By contrast, Cameroon wrapper shows oil in its bumpy surface, called tooth in the tobacco industry. These bumps are a good sign that great taste and aroma will follow, even if the texture of the leaf isn't silky.

Have a question for the Cigar Aficionado editors? Submit it here