Review of Sumatra binder and San Andrés wrapper.
Sumatra binder:
Don's Sumatra "binder" bears a close resemblance to Indonesian Bezuki (not surprising, since the island of Sumatra is a part of Indonesia). Famed Sumatra wrapper is grown from a variety called Deli, after the Deli River in Sumatra. [In the early 20th century, the dominance of Sumatra wrappers in the American market caused the USDA to aggressively develop what has become known as CT Shade, in order to compete.]
I believe that this lot of Sumatra binder is simply Sumatra Deli of a slightly less perfect grade than wrapper, but there's no way to be certain. A typical sample leaf of this Sumatra binder is somewhat smaller than the Bezuki wrappers, but still large enough to wrap one of my 52 x 7" honkers. Also typical is that one leaf half has a few minor holes, while the other half is intact. So...one thin-veined leaf provides a nice binder and a nice wrapper. Sumatra is slightly thinner and less forgiving than Bezuki, but with moderate care, serves well as either binder or wrapper. At its remarkably low price, it makes an economical choice for both wrapper and binder.
Like Bezuki, the taste of Sumatra binder is fairly neutral, and burns well, producing a fine, toothy, white ash. With the Bezuki now out of stock, Don's Sumatra binder is a good introduction to Indonesian wrappers.
San Andrés wrapper:
Long recognized for its outstanding cigar leaf, the San Andrés Valley of Mexico (running along the Gulf coast) produces premium tobacco. Unique to the processing of cigar leaf, Mexican tobacco is cured over open fires. Now, this is not the same as the smoldering, smoky sawdust fire-curing of American fire-cured tobacco. But, is simply heat from open fires. So the leaf takes on a distinctive, earthy taste and dusky color that can be recognized in the famous Mexican cigars, such as Te Amo and Santa Clara.
The San Andrés wrapper that I received has not been ironed flat, but is easily stemmed and spread for rolling. Its color is a deep rosado (a kind of reddish tone between dark EMS and Maduro). It is durable, stretchy and functions well as a wrapper--thicker lamina and veins than Sumatra, but thinner lamina and veins than CT Broadleaf. Burn is excellent, forming a gray-white ash.
If you like earthy flavors and aromas in you cigars, San Andrés wrapper is a great choice.
Bob
