Aficionados worldwide agree: Connecticut Broadleaf cigars are some of the most highly prized in the tobacco-smoking world.
Grown since the 1600s, the tobacco for Connecticut Broadleaf sticks is given full exposure to sunlight. The plant’s broad leaves – which give the variety its name – turn dark during the curing process and give Maduro cigars their glorious near-black color.
In this guide, we'll look at the history and production of Connecticut Broadleaf, as well as some of the best Connecticut Broadleaf cigars available to buy at Cigars.com.
Where is Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco produced?
Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco has its origins in the Connecticut River Valley. It's likely the first tobacco farming in the region began in the 17th century, but it wasn't until the turn of the 20th century that Connecticut Shade was introduced.
In the centuries since, Connecticut-seed tobaccos have been planted elsewhere. But a true Connecticut Broadleaf can always be traced back to the valley, which passes through tobacco-growing regions in both Connecticut and Massachusetts on the river’s way to Vermont and New Hampshire.
How are Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers made?
Connecticut Broadleaf cigars’ distinctive wrapper tobacco is grown in full sun, allowing it to reach its full flavor potential. Some other wrapper tobaccos are kept in the dark, but Broadleaf's growing and aging processes make no compromise.
As a stalk-cropped tobacco, the whole plant is harvested at once. But only about 60% of the leaves make the cut to be used as wrappers. Because the sunlight helps them to grow to full thickness, the leaves give plenty of taste and texture.
Despite being more difficult to roll due to the thickness, Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers are a common feature of premium cigars. Expertly hand-rolled Maduros are some of the best Connecticut Broadleaf cigars of all.
Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
You can spot a Maduro wrapper by its darker color, thanks to both the growing and the aging process.
Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco – already darker due to exposure to the sun – is cured in barns at temperatures of up to 150 degrees and with carefully controlled moisture levels. This extra fermentation darkens the leaves even more and brings out hearty flavors.
Connecticut Broadleaf Oscuro
Even darker than a Maduro is a near-black Oscuro wrapper. This is one of the most time-consuming fermentation processes, making Oscuros a rare gem.
Like Maduro, the Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco is fermented at high temperatures, with moisture introduced to the leaves at the same time.
Barrel-aging then brings through the black-tar color of the tobacco before the leaves are carefully hand-rolled as some of the most distinctive and delicious wrappers in the cigar business.
What do Connecticut Broadleaf cigars taste like?
Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers are not easy to work with, but the variety is prized by master tobacconists due to their strong and unique flavor profile.
Wrappers can have a big impact on the overall taste of a cigar. In the case of Broadleaf, you'll usually get a toasty, earthy quality, combined with some satisfying sweetness.
Connecticut Shade vs. Broadleaf
There are some key differences between Connecticut Shade vs Broadleaf, despite both varieties hailing from the Connecticut River Valley.
In particular, Connecticut Shade is actually a hybrid. It is made using Broadleaf tobacco combined with Cuban seeds and Sumatra, and was first created around the end of the 19th century.
As its name suggests, Connecticut Shade is grown in shady conditions. Protecting it from the sun means the leaves grow thinner and are more flexible, making it a more common wrapper tobacco than its full-sun cousin.
The best Connecticut Broadleaf cigars
At Cigars.com, we love Connecticut Broadleaf cigars, especially those rich, dark Maduro wrappers. We've picked out a few of our favorites — so, if you're new to Connecticut wrappers (or you just want some recommendations), we have everything you need.
Liga Privada No. 9 Toro
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Brazil Mata Fina
Filler: Honduras / Nicaragua
Length: 6
Ring: 52
Strength: Full
Smoke Time: 60 minutes
Liga Privada No. 9 Toro is an ultra-premium cigar from Drew Estate, though it’s a rare find. Full-bodied and packing a bold mix of sweetness and spice, it's easy to see why this one is in such high demand whenever it comes into stock.
An absolute must-have for any experienced cigar smoker — get your hands on a box at Cigars.com today and join the exclusive Liga Privada No. 9 club.
Ashton Aged Maduro No. 10
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Length: 5
Ring: 50
Strength: Mellow – Medium
Smoke Time: 45 minutes
The super-smooth Ashton Aged Maduro No. 10 offers the very best from the brand, which is known for its silky smokes. Dominican long fillers are swaddled in a chocolate-dark Maduro Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that hints at the flavors of coffee and cocoa to be found inside.
It's a surprisingly mellow smoke, with a creamy mouthfeel that lasts through to the end. Available in a cedar chest of 25 sticks at Cigars.com, it's a must for any Ashton enthusiast.
La Flor Dominicana Maduro Cabinet #5
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua
Length: 6.25
Ring: 52
Strength: Full
Smoke Time: 55 minutes
Another dark and mysterious stick thanks to its outer layer of Maduro Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco leaves, La Flor Dominicana Maduro Cabinet #5 is filled with aged long fillers from the Dominican farms of brand owner Litto Gomez, plus a hint of Nicaraguan flavor.
Measuring 6.25 x 52, the Maduro Cabinet #5 has plenty of legs, so you have time to savor the chocolate, espresso, nuts, and dark cherry that feature in the flavor profile. Get your pack of 5 from Cigars.com today.
CAO Maduro Robusto
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Ecuador Sumatra
Filler: Dominican Republic / Nicaragua
Length: 5
Ring: 50
Strength: Medium – Full
Smoke Time: 45 minutes
CAO Maduro Robusto has a distinctive box-pressed shape to combine with its dusky Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers offer a blend of sweetness, espresso richness, and peppery topnotes, all bound by fine Ecuador Sumatra tobacco.
We've always found CAO Maduro Robusto to give an exceptional burn throughout the stick, so pick up a box of 20 at Cigars.com today for a smoke that stays steady right through to the finish.