What is Corojo Wrapper?
Posted on June 03 2025
Quick Summary
- Corojo is a Cuban-seed wrapper leaf famous for its reddish hue, peppery spice, and natural sweetness.
- Originally grown at Cuba’s El Corojo farm, today most Corojo comes from Honduras (Jamastrán) and Nicaragua (Jalapa).
- Modern hybrids—Corojo ’99 and Corojo ’06—were bred for blue-mold resistance while keeping classic flavor.
- Flavor profile: red pepper, sweet cedar, caramel, occasional citrus; body is medium to medium-full.
- Compared with Habano it’s sweeter and woodier; lighter than most Maduro wrappers.
Explore more wrappers in our Tobacco Encyclopedia.
Browse all Corojo wrapped cigars.
What is Corojo wrapper?
Corojo (pronounced “ko-RO-ho”) is a sun-grown Cuban-seed tobacco developed in the 1930s at the famed El Corojo farm in Pinar del Río. It earned a reputation for rich aroma and pronounced pepper spice, becoming Cuba’s standard wrapper until the 1990s, when blue-mold outbreaks forced growers to switch to hardier hybrids.
Where is Corojo grown today?
Honduras (Jamastrán Valley)—the warm, breezy micro-climate produces a leathery leaf with pronounced red-pepper snap and honey sweetness.
Nicaragua (Jalapa & Estelí)—volcanic soils deepen earth and cocoa notes, while higher elevation keeps the leaf thin and elastic.
A small amount of Corojo is also cultivated in the Dominican Republic and Paraguay, though these crops are less common in premium cigars.
Corojo heritage and modern hybrids
| Varietal | Released | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Original Corojo (Cuba) | 1930s | Full spice, high oil content; susceptible to disease |
| Corojo ’99 (Criollo ’98 × Corojo) | 1999 | Milder pepper, better yield and mold resistance |
| Corojo ’06 | 2006 | Enhanced sweetness, thicker veins for durability |
Flavor and smoking experience
Corojo delivers a medium-plus body with red pepper, sweet cedar, caramel, and hints of citrus zest. The wrapper’s oil content produces an aromatic room note and sturdy, off-white ash.
Corojo vs other popular wrappers
Habano: Both share Cuban lineage, but Corojo trends sweeter and woodier, while Habano leans earthier and more pepper-forward.
Connecticut Shade: Corojo is considerably stronger and darker, offering far more spice and sweetness.
Maduro: Even though some Corojo leaves are fermented into Maduro, typical Corojo is lighter in color and less syrupy in sweetness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Corojo always spicy?
Most Corojo cigars feature notable pepper, but sweetness and body can vary by region and blend. Honduran Corojo is often spicier than Nicaraguan Corojo.
Why did Cuba stop using pure Corojo?
Blue-mold disease and low yield made the original seed impractical. Cuba shifted to hybrid leaves like Habana 2000 for better crop resilience.
Are Corojo ’99 and original Corojo the same?
No. Corojo ’99 is a cross of Criollo ’98 and Corojo, bred for disease resistance while preserving much of the classic flavor.
What popular cigars use Corojo wrappers?
Examples include Camacho Corojo, Aladino Corojo Reserva, and Punch Rare Corojo.
Best beverage pairings?
Spicy rye whiskey, medium-roast coffee, and amber rum accent Corojo’s sweet-pepper balance.