Corojo
Corojo is a premium cigar tobacco variety originally developed in Cuba’s Vuelta Abajo region. Prized for its spice-forward flavor and robust strength, Corojo was once the standard wrapper leaf used in all Cuban cigars. Today, due to disease susceptibility, it's primarily cultivated outside Cuba—most notably in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Ecuador—where it thrives under new conditions and hybrid breeding.
Corojo tobacco is celebrated for its bold, peppery notes, reddish hue, and natural oil content, making it a favorite among full-bodied cigar lovers and boutique cigar manufacturers.
Camacho Corojo / Aladino Corojo Reserva / JFR Corojo /
Aganorsa Leaf La Validation Corojo
Origin and Evolution
Originally developed in El Corojo farm in Cuba, the Corojo leaf was known for its:
- Rich flavor and strength
- Superior elasticity and burn
- Classic Cuban character
However, due to its vulnerability to blue mold and black shank disease, it was largely replaced in Cuba by hybridized alternatives like Criollo 98 and Habano 2000. Outside of Cuba, Honduras and Nicaragua have revived Corojo cultivation, often using Cuban-seed varietals.
Citation: Cigar Aficionado – What Is Corojo Tobacco?
Flavor Profile
Corojo delivers a distinctively bold experience with:
- Black and red pepper
- Toasted earth
- Cedar and leather
- Light natural sweetness in aged leaf
- Medium to full body
It's known for a lingering spice, making it ideal for smokers who prefer intensity and complexity over subtlety.
Corojo as Wrapper, Binder, and Filler
- Wrapper: Most popular use; adds bite and visual appeal with reddish-brown hue
- Binder: Occasionally used to add backbone to mild filler blends
- Filler: Used in some full-bodied blends to add complexity and strength
Popular Corojo-Grown Regions
| Region | Characteristics |
| Honduras | Most authentic non-Cuban Corojo; peppery, bold |
| Nicaragua | Spicy and earthy with more strength |
| Ecuador | Cleaner finish, grown in cloud-covered climate |
Notable Cigars Featuring Corojo
- Camacho Corojo – Pure Honduran Corojo cigar, bold and peppery
- Alec Bradley Tempus – Honduran Corojo wrapper with full body
- La Flor Dominicana Corojo Cabinet – Strong Dominican blend with deep spice
- Punch Rare Corojo – Rich and balanced with a bold wrapper
Citation: Halfwheel – Best Corojo Wrapper Cigars
Corojo vs. Criollo
| Feature | Corojo | Criollo |
| Origin | Cuba (El Corojo farm) | Cuba (pre-1959 standard filler) |
| Strength | Medium to full | Medium |
| Flavor | Spicy, peppery, earthy | Nutty, slightly sweet |
| Use | Primarily wrapper | Filler and wrapper |
Related Glossary Entries
Summary
Corojo tobacco represents tradition, strength, and spice. With roots in Cuban cigar history and a bold flavor profile, it appeals to smokers who enjoy complexity and a peppery punch. Whether used as a wrapper or part of a full-bodied blend, Corojo remains one of the most distinctive and flavorful leaves in the cigar world.