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January 2025

Know Your Wrap: Natural, Habano, Maduro, and Corojo Explained

When it comes to cigars, the wrapper isn’t just a pretty coat—it’s a big part of the flavor. It’s the first thing your lips touch and one of the biggest factors in how the cigar tastes. If you’ve ever stood at the humidor wondering what all these wrapper names mean, here’s a down-to-earth guide to the four big ones: Natural, Habano, Maduro, and Corojo.

Natural Wrappers

Light in color and smooth in flavor, Natural wrappers are usually grown under shade, giving them a lighter brown, almost tan look. These are your easy-going cigars—mild to medium-bodied with hints of cream, nuts, or light spice. Perfect for a morning smoke or when you just want to take it slow.

Habano Wrappers

Habano wrappers come from Cuban seed tobacco and are usually a bit darker than Naturals. They pack more punch in both strength and spice. Expect notes of black pepper, leather, and toasted tobacco. These are bold smokes with attitude—ideal for someone looking for a stronger, more intense cigar.

Maduro Wrappers

Maduro means “ripe,” and these wrappers go through a longer fermentation process, which gives them their dark brown to almost black look. They’re rich, flavorful, and often sweeter thanks to the natural sugars brought out during fermentation. Think dark chocolate, coffee, molasses, and sometimes a little spice. Don’t assume stronger nicotine—Maduros are about deep flavor, not just strength.

Corojo Wrappers

Corojo is like the wild card of the bunch. Originally developed in Cuba, Corojo wrappers have a reddish-brown hue and offer a unique blend of spice and sweetness. They hit you with a peppery punch right off the bat, followed by rich, earthy flavors. Corojo cigars can be medium to full-bodied and are great for smokers who want complexity without going too dark or too mild.

Which One’s for You?

If you’re new or just want something smooth, go for a Natural. Want more spice and strength? Habano’s calling your name. Craving big flavor and sweetness? Maduro won’t let you down. Feeling bold and want something with layers of flavor? Corojo brings the heat.

Next time you're lighting up, pay attention to the wrapper. It’s not just the outside—it’s the first taste, the handshake, the welcome to the whole cigar. Pick the one that fits your mood, kick back, and enjoy the ride.

February 2025

Top 3 Cigars to Pair with Fancy Bourbon (Like Pappy Van Winkle)

Let’s be honest—most of us aren’t sipping Pappy Van Winkle on a Tuesday night while grilling pork chops in the garage. But if you do get your hands on a bottle of the good stuff (or something close, like Weller 12 or Blanton’s), you better not ruin the moment with a gas station cigar. Respect the bourbon. Match it up with a smoke that’s got some class—but still knows how to hang.

Here’s our top 3 cigars to pair with a high-end pour, from two guys who think flannel counts as formalwear.

1. Padron 1964 Anniversary Series (Maduro)

The Cadillac of cigars—but with a V10 engine.

This one’s got flavor for days—dark chocolate, coffee, a little spice. The Maduro wrapper adds that sweet edge that plays real nice with Pappy’s caramel and vanilla notes. It’s smooth but bold, like a bouncer in a tuxedo. Not cheap, but hey, neither was the bourbon. You’re already over budget—might as well go all in.

2. Arturo Fuente Don Carlos

The cigar equivalent of “yes ma’am” with a firm handshake.

This one’s rich, peppery, and refined without being a snob. It’s got just enough kick to stand up to a full-bodied bourbon, but it won’t overpower it. Notes of wood, spice, and leather—that’s right, leather. You’ll feel like you’re smoking this on a horse, even if you’re just sitting on a beat-up patio chair.

3. Oliva Serie V Melanio (Natural)

Fancy enough for your whiskey, chill enough for your buddies.

This cigar brings smooth strength, with notes of coffee, cedar, and a little sweetness at the finish. It goes great with a wheated bourbon like Pappy, where the smoothness of both really shine. Plus, it’s got that “I-know-what-I’m-doing” vibe without needing a monocle or a pinky in the air.

Honorable Mention: Whatever You Like

Hey—we’re not the cigar police. If you’ve got a $6 stick you love and a bottle of $300 bourbon, we ain’t judging. It’s your palate, your wallet, and your back porch. But if you’re looking to really treat yourself (or impress your father-in-law), these three won’t steer you wrong.

Final Thoughts

Cigars and bourbon are like boots and jeans—they just go together. When one’s top shelf, the other should at least be second shelf. So next time you crack open that rare bottle you told your wife was “on sale,” light up one of these bad boys and savor the moment. You’ve earned it.

March 2025

The Great Smoke 2025: Miami Heat and Smoky Treats

If you weren’t in Miami last month for The Great Smoke, don’t worry—you weren’t alone. But lucky for us, four Cigar Legends made the trip from California and brought back the scoop hotter than a fresh-rolled ligero.

Word is, the event was loud, proud, and packed tighter than a box-pressed stick. Held right in the heart of sunny Miami, The Great Smoke brought together cigar lovers from all over—suits, boots, and everyone in between. It didn’t matter if you worked in an office or under a hood, if you love a good stick and don’t mind your fingers smelling like toasted cedar for three days, this was the place to be.

Now, picture this: South Beach vibe, steel drums, and locals dressed in linen looking like they stepped off a yacht. Right in the middle of that scene? Four cigar legends from California—no names, but you’d know 'em if you saw 'em. All rocking West Coast shirts and Dodgers caps like they were filming a low-budget rap video on the wrong coast. Let’s just say, if subtlety was a cigar, they definitely weren’t lighting it.

Despite the fashion clash, they fit right in with the crowd once the smoke started rolling. According to them, the event was a cigar lover’s carnival—tents, tastings, live music, and enough smoke in the air to qualify as a low-altitude cloud system. There were food trucks on hand (one reportedly served pulled pork sandwiches that changed lives), and bourbon flowed like a busted pipe.

Vendors came out strong, slinging premium sticks, gear, and stories as thick as a double maduro. But the real heart of it? The people. At an event like this, you can shoot the breeze with a guy who’s laid tile for 30 years or a woman who owns three lounges—and both will argue over which Nicaraguan blend is king like it’s Sunday football.

The Cigar Legends said the vibe was all love. They came back raving about the connections, the community, and the sheer amount of knowledge being shared. Apparently, one guy gave a 10-minute speech on proper humidity like he was defending a thesis. Nobody stopped him. Everyone just nodded along like it was gospel.

So if you missed The Great Smoke, don’t sweat it. Just know it’s not just another cigar event—it’s a gathering of the tribe. Whether you show up in cowboy boots or a Dodgers cap, there’s a place for you in the circle. And if you're lucky, maybe next time you'll catch the Legends in action—just don’t ask them to wear anything from Florida.