Broadleaf

Broadleaf here means Connecticut Broadleaf, plus its rougher cousin from Pennsylvania. It grows in the same valley as Connecticut shade and makes a much darker wrapper.

What it is

Connecticut Broadleaf grows in open sun, mainly in the Connecticut River Valley. The plant is short and bushy with very wide leaves, which is where the name comes from, and it's harvested by cutting the whole stalk. Before 1900 it was the only tobacco Connecticut farmers grew.

Broadleaf was long used mostly for filler and binder. It's hard to handle and expensive, and today it's one of the prized wrappers for maduro cigars.

Pennsylvania Broadleaf comes from Lancaster County, where the variety grown is Pennsylvania 41. The word stogie comes from Conestoga, in the same county.

What it tastes like

Cured broadleaf turns very dark, from espresso brown to nearly black. Look for dark chocolate, coffee grounds, earth, raisins and spice. Pennsylvania leaf is coarser and earthier, and Connecticut is a little sweeter and smoother.

Cigars to know

Drew Estate's Liga Privada No. 9 uses a dark Connecticut River Valley broadleaf. Arturo Fuente Añejo was born after Hurricane Georges hit Fuente's wrapper farm in 1998; it puts aged Connecticut Broadleaf on the OpusX blend. For Pennsylvania leaf, try AJ Fernandez's Diesel Unholy Cocktail.