Wrappers A-Z: Arapiraca

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This leaf is grown in central eastern Brazil in the state of Alagoas from the Bahia type (see here for Common Tobacco Strains). It is often referred to as a Brazilian Maduro, but is a little less sweet and a little more light and earthy than a “standard Maduro”. The tobacco is not as aromatic as other Bahia tobacco grown in other regions, but its subtlety makes it an excellent component for cigar making. The Arapiraca wrapper leaf takes its name from the name of the municipality where it is grown. The Arapiraca municipality has gained renown as “The Tobacco Capital of Brazil” owing to the delightfully subtle leaves that are grown there. Brazilian tobacco leaves have been used in a number of popular cigars including La Aurora Preferido Maduros, Alec Bradley’s Trilogy Maduros, and Charlie Toraño’s 1959 Exodus 50 Years.

Despite the fact that many smokers in America enjoy Brazilian tobacco leaves in their cigars, Brazil has never become a popular exporter to US customers. Many of the cigars US smokers enjoy that contain Brazilian leaves aren’t actually Brazilian cigars. In the first half of the 2000s decade, fewer than 100,000 Brazilian cigars were imported into the US every year. Why Brazilian cigars don’t have the same renown as cigars from other countries (Cuba for example) isn’t particularly clear, but hopefully awareness of the distinctive and superlative Brazilian Arapiraca Maduro wrapper leaves will continue to grow, bringing Brazil more success in the coming years.

Arapiraca Flag

Examples

Arapiraca Flag

1 thought on “Wrappers A-Z: Arapiraca

  1. Also All of Kristoff’s Maduro Cigars ( Original Maduro, Ligero Maduro, GC Signature, Kristania Maduro, and Intensivo) use the Arapiraca wrapper leaf.

    **The Ceniza De Plata uses San Andres Maduro

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