Different shades of Connecticut Shade

Hello Cigar smokers,
Today's topic isn't a review, but analysis of something that I think is misleading to a lot of smokers. Not all Connecticut Shade wrappers are created equally, and not all Connecticut Shade wrappers are grown in Connecticut. Connecticut Shade is a wrapper favored by many smokers that prefer lighter cigars. It is a thin wrapper that is much less oily than many other choices, less oils gives it a lighter flavor and a less intense feeling on the palate. Shade wrappers have a buttery or creamy quality to them and are smoother than many other wrappers. Here are the two different varieties of Connecticut Shade wrapper both blended into two popular Montecristo cigars.

On the left is the Montecristo White Series and on the right is the Montecristo Classic. The Montecristo Classic features a Connecticut shade wrapper grown in Connecticut and the White Series is a Shade wrapper grown in Ecuador. The Connecticut grown Shade wrapper featured in the Classic Series is grown under Nylon tents in Connecticut. Growing the tobacco under tents filters out sunlight, by doing that the tobacco doesn't grow as thick or develop as many oils, resulting in a lighter tobacco. The Ecuadorian Grown tobacco isn't grown under tents, but Ecuador is overcast for much of the year so it filters sunlight similar to the effect of the tents in Connecticut.

Now the difference in taste is more nuanced, they both have a light bodied flavor and an easy draw. The difference I notice is that many of the Ecuadorian variety Shade wrappers are blended into cigars with slightly stronger fillers than the Connecticut grown variety.  To compare the Montecristo Classic to the Montecristo White I notice the Classic maintains the light draw and buttery flavor throughout the cigar, while the White Series tends to pick up and finish with a more medium bodied flavor. They both are on the lighter side, but the White Series definitely changes in flavor more than the Classics.

If you prefer Connecticut Shade wrappers, take notice to where the wrapper leaf is grown and notice the differences between Connecticut grown and Ecuadorian grown. You may be surprised to find out that your favorite Connecticut Shade wrapper isn't actually grown in Connecticut. Talking about cigars is as much fun as smoking them to me. Please leave a comment if this post interests you or email any cigar related questions to jtcigarsofwoodside@gmail.com.
Happy smoking,
JT