Oscuro wrappers stand proud as the darkest yet still one of the most flavorful cigar wrapper choices.
While a cigar with a dark wrapper isn’t usually strong, Oscuros tend to be on both the strong and dark side, containing more pepper. This means they aren’t usually a wise choice for smokers interested in premium cigars.
However, if you’ve been smoking for a while and experienced different strengths and flavor profiles, there’s no reason you can’t add the darkest shade to your rotation.
We’ve unwrapped all you need to know about the Oscuros and suggested some of our favorite big, bold, spicy, and sweet Oscuro smokes for you to try.
Oscuro cigar wrapper definition
An Oscuro cigar is the closest you can get to a completely black cigar, even more so than Maduro wrappers. Fittingly, the word Oscuro directly translated from Spanish means “dark”. But it’s important to note this rich, dark brown-to-black wrapper is not connected to any type of tobacco. Oscuro wrappers are, in fact, produced using processes to make the tobacco leaves darker.
Where are Oscuro cigar tobaccos produced?
Oscuro tobacco can originate from anywhere, but countries like Brazil (Brazilian Mata Fina tobacco), Connecticut (Broadleaf tobacco), and the fertile mountains of Nicaragua are all well-known for their Oscuro production. Technically, Oscuro leaves are defined more by the fermentation method, rather than their country of origin or final color shade.
How are Oscuro cigar leaves grown?
The leaves chosen for Oscuro wrappers are typically located at the top of the tobacco plant. They get the most sunlight, with some tobacco growers employing the “medio tempo” method. Here, they leave the top leaves on the plant for up to 50% longer than the rest of the tobacco harvest, giving the leaves an even darker complexion.
How are Oscuro wrappers cured?
Leaving the leaves on the plant for an extended period means they start to cure while still on the stalk. This added bliss in the sun also makes the leaves more mellow, bringing a much sweeter charm to the wrapper leaf.
Once the Oscuro leaves have been harvested, they go through an intense and lengthy fermentation process, albeit they are left for shorter times at low temperatures than typical Maduros. Fermentation of an Oscuro wrapper can last several years. It involves naturally introducing heat and moisture to the stogie, before being bale or barrel-aged to develop its almost-black color. But what does the resulting wrapper taste like?
Oscuro cigar wrapper flavor profile
The amount of time allowed for fermentation will impact the flavor of an Oscuro wrapper. Some variants will only ferment the leaves for a short time to ensure spicier notes, but the intense and time-consuming processes can make Oscuro’s tricky to get hold of.
Cigar enthusiasts can expect a luscious flavor profile alongside the thick, rich, and joyously dark wrapper. Familiar tastes and aromas associated with Oscuro wrappers include smoky and woody hits, chocolate, caramel, and pepper.
Some of our favorite Oscuro cigars
We can’t keep our favorite Oscuro smokes from you any longer. Here are four of the most formidable that bring pleasure to cigar lovers worldwide.
Cohiba Nicaragua N60
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Colorado Oscuro
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6
Ring: 60
Strength: Full
Smoke Time: 60-85 minutes
Opening the door to a powerhouse of flavor, the Cohiba Nicaragua N60 was the first Cohiba to be made in Nicaragua. Surrounded by a lustrous mocha shade and chocolatey textured Honduran Colorado Oscuro wrapper, it’s carefully loaded with aged tobaccos from the volcanic soils of Estelí and Jalapa.
Savor a bold and feisty tapestry of espresso, leather, rich chocolate, and spices, with a creamy undercurrent enhancing its expression of the complexity and strength of Nicaraguan tobacco.
My Father La Opulenca Toro
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Mexico Rosado Oscuro
Binder: Corojo / Criolla
Filler: Nicaraguan Cuban Seed
Length: 6
Ring: 54
Strength: Medium -Full
Smoke Time: 60-90 minutes
Finished with an opulent Mexican Rosado Oscuro wrapper that encases flavorful Nicaraguan filler, the My Father La Opulenca Toro combines body, complexity, and solid construction. The wrapper is rich in aroma (think decadent chocolate brownie), which pulls through this full-bodied, robust smoke brimming with cocoa, cream, leather, and spice.
Montecristo Espada Oscuro Magnum
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Nicaragua (Habano Rosado)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Length: 6
Ring: 60
Strength: Full
Smoke Time: 85 minutes
The Montecristo Espada Oscuro Magnum is gloriously dark and oily with a striking and super-rare Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper. It’s a wonderfully popular stick and handmade by the famous Plasencia family. Their roots in the tobacco industry can be traced back to 1865 Cuba, and that wealth of experience is etched all over this exceptionally well-made Nicaraguan puro.
The slightly toothy wrapper delivers dark chocolate notes, adding a layer of complexity to a blend that has a spicy texture and rich sweetness of chocolate, earth, and subtle fruit.
Punch Diablo Scamp
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf
Filler: Honduran / Nicaraguan Ligero
Length: 6.12
Ring: 50
Strength: Full
Smoke Time: 60-105 minutes
The first Nicaraguan-made Punch cigar delivers richness in abundance, owed much in part to its sleek and leathery Sumatra Oscuro wrapper. Once lit, this satisfying blend of Honduran and Nicaraguan filler leads the way to potent puffs of earth, leather, spicy pepper, and sweet cedar.
Renowned master blender AJ Fernandez also played a hand in this devilishly delightful smoke, with the inner lid of its packaging aptly emblazoned with “The Dark Side of Punch.” Like any top-notch Oscuro cigars, it’s a hearty and flavorful addition to any seasoned smoker’s humidor.
If you’re leaning towards the strength and dark territory of Oscuro cigars, explore our full range of cigars online at cigars.com.
