What are the differences between Natural and Maduro?

Discover the differences between Natural and Maduro cigars and learn how to choose the type of wrapper that best suits your tasting preferences...

As a cigar lover, you've probably already noticed that many lines come in "Maduro" and "Natural". These terms refer to the type of wrapper used to dress the cigars. As well as giving us a clue to a wrapper's color, they inform us about its organoleptic characteristics. Maduro and Natural wrappers differ not only in color, but also in aroma. These differences make it possible to adapt the different cigar ranges to individual tastes, offering aficionados ever more original blends. In this article, we'll help you understand the differences between these two types of wrapper and how these nuances are likely to impact your tasting experience.

Maduro and Natural: a color indicator

In the broadest sense Maduro" and "Natural enable characterize the color of the cape. "Maduro" translates as "mature and refers to a dark colorThese range from brown to jet-black. For its part, the term "Natural" refers to a cape of light brown color.

Nevertheless, all Natural capes do not not necessarily a light color. Several factors, such as tobacco variety and growing region, can influence the final shade of a Natural wrapper. For example, Habano wrappers from Ecuador and those from Cameroon tend to be slightly darker than Natural wrappers. Connecticut Shade capes. Thus, "Natural" may refer to a wide range of shades and refers to everything that is not classified as "Maduro"..

Visit color difference between the Maduro and Natural capes results from the cultivation and transformation processes of the latter.

©Davidoff

How are Maduro cape sheets made?

Visit Maduro leaves are traditionally harvested from the top of the tobacco plant. This position allows them to receive direct sunshinewhich favors increased photosynthesis and ensures high sugar levels. This accumulation of sugar also makes it possible to obtain a stronger structure and a uniform size.

In addition to this specific cultivation process, Maduro leaves undergo a special longer fermentation process than for other cape sheets; 16 months are thus necessary to reveal the sweet flavors of a Maduro cape. This extensive fermentation allows the leaves to undergo higher temperatures and humidity levelsto promote transformation of starches into sugars. The leaves then undergo a months of maturationeven several years, in order to obtain their characteristic dark, oily color.

For premium-quality Maduro sheets, this process does not use any external heat source. To produce the Davidoff MaduroIn this way, the stacks are turned over no less than 12 times, and it takes 32 hours of work to turn over an entire stack! A true work of goldsmith requiring a great deal of patience and expertise.

Because of this demanding process, only the most heat-resistant tobacco varieties are selected to form Maduro capes. The two most widely used varieties are Connecticut Broadleaf, grown in Connecticut River Valleyand the San Andrés Negrofrom the Veracruz region of Mexico.

How are Natural cape sheets made?

For their part, the capes Natural generally come from Connecticut Shade, Connecticut d'Équateur, Corojo and Habano. They are grown in many parts of the world, including the USA, South America, Central America and the Caribbean.

In order to obtain their lighter shades of brownthese leaves are often grown under tapadosa protective veil of muslin. This protects them from overexposure to light and gives them an attractive look. finer structure Maduro leaves and a silky texture. They are also dried much more slowly in order to reduce bitterness and undergo a shorter fermentation process.

Maduro and Natural: specific flavors

Far from being mere aesthetic considerations, cape sheets have a lot to offer. organoleptic qualities who play a role in a cigar's aromatic profile. Each cape leaf thus offers specific flavours and aromas that vary according to the type of plant. tobacco varietiesand the processing methods used.

Contrary to popular belief, the Maduro capes are not necessarily more full-bodied than Natural leaves. Exposure to direct sunlight, on the other hand, makes them more full-bodied. richer, more complex and sweeter flavours. They are thus generally characterized by notes of coffee, chocolate and pepper. This spectrum of flavours makes Maduro cigars an ideal choice to accompany a glass of wine. cognacof rum or bourbon.

For their part, the capes Natural offer more flavour profiles subtle and delicate. Although their aromas may vary considerably from one leaf to another, they are generally characterized by notes of cedar, cream and hazelnut. This type of cape makes it possible to enhance tobacco's natural aromas and is appreciated for its balanced character.

What type of cape should I choose?

Visit choice of Maduro or Natural cigar depends on your taste preferencesof your experience and your choice of pairing. While Maduro cigars are often recommended for experienced smokers, who enjoy complex profilesNatural cigars are the ideal choice for cigar aficionados. in search of balance and subtlety.

To help you determine the influence of a wrapper type on a cigarmany manufacturers offer identical blends in the Natural and Maduro. This is the case, for example, of theAshton Classic and theAshton Aged Madurorespectively made from a Connecticut Shade cape and a Connecticut Broadleaf cape. L'Arturo Fuente Hemingway Classic and theArturo Fuente Hemingway Classic Maduro allow you to appreciate the nuances between an authentic Cameroon cape and a Connecticut Broadleaf, grown in the USA. With more than one fifty or so tobacco varieties used to make cigar wrappers, equally varied shades of color and manufacturing processes that vary from one manufacturer to another, wrapper leaves Maduro and Natural offer a wide spectrum of flavors for all cigar enthusiasts. To find out whether one type of wrapper suits you better than another, the best thing to do is try it out!

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