In this guide, we are turning our attention to the darkest shade of cigar wrappers ⁠— the Oscuro. Stogies with darker hues can be intimidating, but the almost jet-black color of Oscuro cigar wrappers is nothing to fear.

Let’s take a closer look at the Oscuro cigar, how it’s made, and some of our favorite examples of a stick that’s sometimes referred to as a “Double Maduro.”

Meaning ‘blackish’ or ‘dark’ in Spanish, Oscuro cigar wrappers live up to their name. The darkest of the dark, they are the most intense of the three darker cigar wrappers (the Colorado Maduro and Maduro being the other two). The most popular Oscuro cigars derive from Brazil, Mexico, and Connecticut in the US, but Cuba and Nicaragua are also known for producing these thick, dark, and rich wrappers.

Oscuro wrapper leaves are exposed to maximum sunlight because they are typically taken from the leaves at the very top of the tobacco plant. These are known as the corona leaves, which is Spanish for “crown.” They are left on the plant 50% longer than other tobacco leaves before harvest, meaning they begin to cure while on the stalk, giving them their signature color, tough texture, and sweet flavor.

It’s impossible to distinguish between Maduro and Oscuro leaves purely on the color. Instead, the fermenting process the tobacco leaves go through determines whether you end up with a Maduro or Oscuro cigar wrapper.

Oscuro cigars may owe their beauty to the sun’s rays, but they are often quite rare due to the long and intense fermentation after harvest. This process can last several years, but connoisseurs who enjoy extra-dark stogies with a full-bodied experience and unique flavor notes will tell you they are well worth the wait.

There’s plenty of work to bring Oscuro cigars from the tobacco fields to your prized stogie collection. Heat and moisture are introduced naturally to Oscuro leaves during the fermenting process. They are subjected to a shorter fermentation time and lower temperatures than a Maduro, before being aged in bales, barrels, and crates until they are as dark as can be. The leaves will acquire an almost black color, while still retaining the attributes of a quality cigar leaf.

We’ve picked out two of the most popular Oscuro cigars below that showcase the dark-style wrapper in all its glory.

• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Strength: Full
• Wrapper: Nicaragua
• Binder: Nicaragua
• Filler: Nicaragua
• Sizes Available:
  • Montecristo Espada Oscuro Guard (6 x 50)
  • Montecristo Espada Oscuro Magnum (6 x 60)
  • Montecristo Espada Oscuro Quillon (7 x 56)
  • Montecristo Espada Oscuro Ricasso (5 x 54)

Made in conjunction with the critically-acclaimed Plasencia family, the Montecristo Espada Oscuro cigar is the first stick from this famous brand to hail from Nicaragua. Lovely in hand and dressed in a distinctive Habano Rosado Oscuro wrapper that glimmers in the light, its decadent black and gold color palette adds further magnificence.

Once you’ve cut the triple cap on this Nicaraguan puro, you can enjoy a beautifully complex smoke that’s nutty, earthy, and packed with plenty of cocoa. Along with your chocolate high, look for well-balanced white pepper hits and a deep hint of dried black plum. Pair with a rich coffee first thing in the morning or alongside a smooth bourbon at night for optimal Oscuro pleasure.

• Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
• Strength: Full
• Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
• Binder: Dominican La Vega Espeicale
• Filler: Dominican Republic / Honduras / Nicaragua
• Sizes Available:
  • Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro Robusto (5.50 x 52)
  • Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro Rothschild (5.62 x 46)
  • Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro Toro (6.12 x 50)

A classic Oscuro with a sun-drenched, toothy wrapper that’s gloriously dark with a slight mahogany tint, the Partagas 1845 Extra Oscuro is a fitting sequel to the renowned Partagas 1845.

The Connecticut broadleaf wrapper has an alluring aroma of cedar and sourwood honey and envelopes a Dominican La Vega Espeicale binder. A wonderful three-national blend of barrel-aged Dominican, Honduran, and Nicaraguan Ligero long-filler tobaccos completes its near-perfect construction.

Delivering a smoke on the low end of the full-bodied scale, enduring rich and tasty flavors of dark coffee, cherry, chocolate, and leather grace the palate, along with wasabi spice on the finish. Partagas are a brand you can always count on for quality, so light this one up if you want something a little extra.

Cigar wrappers contribute to a cigar’s flavor profile and appearance. Join us on the darkest side at JR Cigars, where we stock some of the best and most flavorsome Oscuro cigars.