Sumatra wrapper cigars are one of the most well-kept secrets of the tobacco world. Often overlooked in favor of Connecticut, Corojo, Habano, and Maduro wrappers, the best Sumatra cigars are a missed opportunity for many smokers old and new.

Yet, Sumatra-seed tobacco gives cigars a silky smooth smoking experience and a distinctive flavor profile that many aficionados like more than any other.

In this guide to this often-neglected leaf, we’ll look at some of the best Sumatra wrapper cigars available to buy at JR Cigars, as well as the history of the tobacco.

Sumatra is the largest island in Indonesia, a country that produces about 250,000 tons of tobacco each year. But not all Sumatra wrappers come from Indonesia — in fact, most do not. Sumatra-seed tobacco is grown in several cigar-producing countries, including Ecuador, Honduras, and Nicaragua, and is prized as a premium hand-rolled cigar wrapper worldwide.

Also known as black tobacco, Sumatra usually has a dark, grayish-brown color that looks luxurious in your humidor (or in your hand)! Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper cigars are some of the very best, as the country’s soil combines with the Sumatran seed to create a rich, bold profile that will have you coming back for more.

There are lots of reasons to choose Sumatra wrapper cigars from their color and flavor to their loyal, if small, following.

First up, there’s the color. Much like other dark tobaccos like Maduro and Oscuro these sticks’ earthy appearance allows the best Sumatra wrapper cigars to hold their own in a beauty contest.

Then, there’s the flavor. Rich in earthy and floral tones, sweetness and cinnamon spice, Ecuadorian Sumatra cigars are complex, medium to full-bodied, and yet smooth on the palate.

Whether you’re new to smoking cigars or you’ve been puffing away for a while, Sumatra cigars’ status as a hidden gem means they’re a must-try at your first opportunity.

With a huge selection to choose from at JR Cigars — in singles, packs, and boxes that all offer fantastic value — here’s our pick of the top 10.

Ecuadorian Sumatra wrappers are the place to start if you’re trying Sumatra cigars for the first time. They dominate our top 10 for good reason: the richness that comes through from their growing conditions brings out the best of the Sumatra-seed flavor.

Let’s look at some of the best Sumatra wrapper cigars on sale at JR Cigars, and what you can expect when it’s time to try them yourself.

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Jalapa Valley Ligero

Length: 5

Ring: 52

Strength: Full

Smoke Time: 50-60 minutes

There’s no better introduction to this wrapper than Oliva Serie V Melanio, an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper cigar with a complex flavor profile of leather, wood, toast, and coffee, topped with a hint of caramel sweetness.

We’ve picked the Robusto here, as it gives you plenty of time to experience the complexity of flavor in the stick. We recommend picking up a box of 10 because you’re bound to want more.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Length: 6

Ring: 58

Strength: Medium-Full

Smoke Time: 70 minutes

We’re talking about wrappers here, but New World by AJ Fernandez also features vintage Nicaraguan fillers whose smooth smoke provides the perfect balance for the sugar and spice of the outer tobacco.

New World is named in honor of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas — and of tobacco — and in a spirit of exploration, we’ve put it second on our list as one of the best Sumatra cigars for beginners.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Connecticut Broadleaf

Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua / Peru

Length: 6

Ring: 54

Strength: Medium-Full

Smoke Time: 60-70 minutes

Romeo y Julieta Aniversario is a cigar to fall in love with. Tracing its heritage as far back as 1875 Cuba, this painstakingly constructed hand-rolled stick includes filler tobaccos from three different countries, a Connecticut Broadleaf binder, and that dark brown Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper.

The artisan expertise in each handmade cigar is apparent in its even burn and easy draw, all of which make this another beginner-friendly smoke. Though, even if you’re an experienced smoker, this premium cigar is a delight.

Country of Origin: Honduras

Wrapper: Sumatra

Binder: Unknown

Filler: Unknown

Length: 5

Ring: 50

Strength: Full

Smoke Time: 50-60 minutes

Rocky Patel Decade is a line of limited-edition boutique cigars to celebrate Patel’s tenth anniversary in the industry. In this case, the Sumatra wrapper is the selling point, as the binder and filler are the master tobacconist’s trade secret. Expect a flavor profile of coffee, wood, leather, caramel, and pepper.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Length: 6.50

Ring: 56

Strength: Medium-Full

Smoke Time: 70-80 minutes

Treat yourself to a JR Edicion Limitada Alternative and get even more bang for your buck. We’ve taken fine premium tobacco from Nicaragua and rolled it into a stick to rival some of the best Cuban Limitada lines — at a fraction of the price.

Pick up a bundle of 20 sticks from JR Cigars today and stock up your humidor without paying a middleman. Great cigars at great value. What more could you want?

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Length: 5

Ring: 54

Strength: Medium

Smoke Time: 50-60 minutes

Drew Estate’s ACID revolution began with a line-up including ACID Blue Kuba Kuba. Nicaraguan filler and binder tobaccos are blended and rolled in an Ecuador Sumatra wrapper, and the whole stick is infused with oils and herbs.

The result is truly unique, with heightened levels of sweetness and a floral flavor profile you won’t find elsewhere.

Country of Origin: Honduras

Wrapper: Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Honduras / Nicaragua / Peru

Length: 6

Ring: 52

Strength: Medium-Full

Smoke Time: 60-70 minutes

Rocky Patel’s second Sumatra cigar to make our shortlist is the Rocky Patel The Edge Sumatra. It’s an extension of the Edge line that earned Patel his place among the master tobacconists of the modern era.

If you’ve tried The Edge with a Connecticut, Corojo, Habano, or Maduro wrapper, this is the perfect excuse to grab a box of 20 or 100 from JR Cigars for a direct comparison of that Sumatra wrapper richness and how it enhances the smoking experience.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Nicaragua

Length: 6

Ring: 60

Strength: Full

Smoke Time: 70-80 minutes

We love the names given to Boneshaker vitolas. The 6 x 60 Boneshaker Tombstone War Hammer is an absolute brute, offering well over an hour of smoking time, even with fairly rapid puffs.

Tombstone is rolled at AJ Fernandez’ highly prestigious factory, with painstaking artisan construction, easy draw, and an even burn. It’s a sublime smoking experience even before you get into the chocolate, cocoa, caramel, and leather in the flavor profile.

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Nicaragua

Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua

Length: 5

Ring: 50

Strength: Medium-Full

Smoke Time: 50-60 minutes

La Gloria Cubana upholds a tobacconist tradition established in Cuba in 1885. A commitment to craftsmanship, consistency, and flavor is poured into every stick.

It’s a Cuban-style cigar, but it’s rolled in the Dominican Republic using a blend of local tobaccos and Nicaraguan fillers and binder. Of course, there’s also that Ecuador Sumatra wrapper that rounds out the richness of the earthy oak and espresso flavors.

Country of Origin: Nicaragua

Wrapper: Ecuador Sumatra

Binder: Honduras

Filler: Dominican Republic

Length: 4.75

Ring: 50

Strength: Medium

Smoke Time: 45-50 minutes

Last on our list is Trinidad y Cia, an affordable Ecuador Sumatra cigar if you want to try this highly regarded wrapper on a budget. A mixed filler of long and short tobaccos helps to keep production costs down, but the full-sized vitolas and Sumatra wrapper richness mean

These are our favorites, but remember, nobody can tell you the best Sumatra wrapper cigar — it’s a matter of personal taste. That’s why at JR Cigars, we aim to offer the widest range at the best value, so you can experience as many different smokes as possible.

Whether you pick up some individual sticks, or cash in on the value offered by packs of 5 and boxes of 20 or more, we can help you begin your journey of exploration. Who knows, you might find Sumatra wrapper cigars are your new favorites!