Our Favorite Oscuro Cigars

First, a disclaimer: we love mellow, Connecticut-shade cigars here at Cigar World. However, we won’t be talking about any cigars like that today because this blog is all about the darkest of the dark: Oscuro wrappers. 

Indeed, “oscuro” simply means “dark” in Spanish, and that’s fitting because Oscuro tobacco is either very dark brown or practically black. Oscuro tobacco can originate from anywhere, but places like Brazil, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Connecticut tend to produce the most well-known Oscuros. One last thing before we list some of our favorite Oscuro-wrapped cigars: it’s easy to get Maduros and Oscuros mixed up. Indeed, you might even see Oscuros called “Double Maduros” in some instances. While there is no definitive test to tell which is which, just remember that Oscuros are the darkest tobaccos typically seen on cigars, and Maduros are (usually) going to be slightly lighter in color. 

Well, that’s enough preamble: let’s get to some of our favorite big, bold, spicy, and sweet Oscuro cigars: 

Punch Diablo

Spicy, rich, and loaded with robust flavor, the Punch Diablo is a quintessential Oscuro cigar. With an Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and a Connecticut Broadleaf binder, Diablo offers everything you could want in an Oscuro smoke. And oh yeah, did we mention that AJ Fernandez worked on this blend too? 

San Cristobal Ovation

Here’s something you don’t see every day: a cigar with a San Andrés Oscuro wrapper. Not only is the San Cristobal Ovation worth trying for its rich and oily wrapper, but it also delivers tasting notes of dark cocoa, hickory, and cedar. This is a full-bodied smoke that also brings subtle nuances to the table. 

CAO Steel Horse

With a bad-ass name like Steel Horse, you know this cigar is going big on flavor. Tasting notes on this box-pressed Oscuro include oak, coffee, spice, and chocolate. Give it a try if you love motorcycles, CAO, or oscuro cigars!

Drew Estate Liga Privada No. 9

Perhaps Drew Estate’s most recognizable cigar, the Liga Privada No. 9, is critically-acclaimed but occasionally challenging to find. If you get your hands on a box, expect your smoking experience to include plenty of coffee and chocolate tasting notes. 

We could go on, but we’d rather hear from you! Sign up for Cigar World and let us know your favorite Oscuro cigar with a comment below.