Criollo 98 wrapper from WLT

[Ginsinjones]

Curious on people's experiences with the criollo wrapper from WLT.
Primarily wondering about its tensile strength to withstand a somewhat beginner hand.
I have rolled a few so far with the Sumatra binder grade as a wrapper and seemed to get along fine with it.
Looking for something a little sweet, with enough strength and stretch that it will be a little forgiving.
Open to suggestions for a different type if you think it will fit what I am looking for.
Thanks

 

[MarcL]

So I would say it seems as if you had been reading on the criollo wrapper. I find it as what you described what your looking for sweet with a forgiving stretch.

 

[Ginsinjones]

I have looked at the description on the WLT tobacco site and while it is the flavor profile I am looking for there is no mention of its durability.
And being a beginner I would hate to order something I can't work with.
Thanks for chiming in

 

[MarcL]

I think I'm up to re-ordering it three times if it helps. easier to work then the sumatra. if you can, get hold of some samples of Bronceado, Los Rios, Dom Olor and/or the Cameroon. all a joy to work and I could call sweet less so the olor. I sound like a sales force but, if your like me, you'll want to get these and more.buy more often!

 

[Ginsinjones]

I will give the criollo wrapper a go on this order and request a sample of those as well.
I'm just starting out, but tend to get pretty intense into my hobbys.
I'm just happy that my cigars smoke and taste great. Ill be working on the looks latter.
I just got my parcel yesterday and have already rolled and smoked 6 smaller size cigars. Am enjoying each and every one.
I have rolled 2 using only Nicaraguan condega seco and am blown away by them, absolutely in heaven.

 

[FrostD]

Honestly I haven’t cracked into that wrapper leaf myself, as of yet. I will say that from the description noted on the website and I’ll echo what @MarcL is stating. A lot of big time cigar manufacturers use that leaf (depending on the grade of the leaf) in either their filler, binder, or wrapper of their blend. It appears as if it’s fairly for forgiving than the Sumatra. Depending on your storage methods, the Sumatra looks thinner to work with than the Criollo wrapper. I appears similar to yourself in approaching new hobbies. The best advice I’d give is to try it. There’s so many different intricacies when it comes to filler, binder, and wrapper leaf. Not to mention how you roll it and what size vitola your target is can play a difference.

 

[Danny M]

I have looked at the description on the WLT tobacco site and while it is the flavor profile I am looking for there is no mention of its durability.
And being a beginner I would hate to order something I can't work with.
Thanks for chiming in

I personally haven’t tried it yet but if you can work with the Sumatra I don’t foresee you having trouble with many leaves.

 

[Danny M]

I will give the criollo wrapper a go on this order and request a sample of those as well.
I'm just starting out, but tend to get pretty intense into my hobbys.
I'm just happy that my cigars smoke and taste great. Ill be working on the looks latter.
I just got my parcel yesterday and have already rolled and smoked 6 smaller size cigars. Am enjoying each and every one.
I have rolled 2 using only Nicaraguan condega seco and am blown away by them, absolutely in heaven.

On a side note..I have an order arriving today. Like you I pondered on the Criollo 98 wrapper. I ordered Seco, Viso and Ligero in the Criollo and I suspect out of the pound there will be a few leaves suitable for wrapper. I stretch pretty hard myself so I’ll let you know a bit more about it tonight possibly. I also ordered the Seco, Viso and Ligero of the Condega, Ecuador Corona and Sumatra Binder if this tells you anything.

 

[Ginsinjones]

The Sumatra I received is quite thin. It seems to have some very thin spots on an otherwise decent leaf. Mine has quite extensive beetle damage too. I have only pulled 6 or 7 leaves from the bag and have only found 3 really nice half. I guess that's what I get for trying to be a cheapskate haha.
I'm rolling fairly small cigars like 35 ring x 5.5"
I'm really looking forward to trying a more consistent wrapper. And I'm finding the Sumatra giving kind of a green flavor with such a thin cigar.
Yes please let me know on how it is to work with

 

[Danny M]

The Sumatra I received is quite thin. It seems to have some very thin spots on an otherwise decent leaf. Mine has quite extensive beetle damage too. I have only pulled 6 or 7 leaves from the bag and have only found 3 really nice half. I guess that's what I get for trying to be a cheapskate haha.
I'm rolling fairly small cigars like 35 ring x 5.5"
I'm really looking forward to trying a more consistent wrapper. And I'm finding the Sumatra giving kind of a green flavor with such a thin cigar.
Yes please let me know on how it is to work with

Here’s a pure C98 using C98 Seco for the wrapper.

 

[Ginsinjones]

Nice work!!
I just seperated a few condega seco from my bag for trying as wrappers. They are in perfect condition and have smallish veins and a wonderful chocolate color and aroma.
Do you often use seco as a wrapper?
Does that criollo seco have a sweeter taste?
Is that the traditional one or the cibao valley?

 

[Danny M]

Another wrapper that should go well with this is the Ecuador Maduro. It has a good taste. I’ll use this Ecuador Corona that I just received but I’ll get the Maduro from now on. The Corona with the exception of one leaf is virtually identical in looks and smell to CT Broadleaf. Same mottled colors and everything.

 

[Danny M]

Nice work!!
I just seperated a few condega seco from my bag for trying as wrappers. They are in perfect condition and have smallish veins and a wonderful chocolate color and aroma.
Do you often use seco as a wrapper?
Does that criollo seco have a sweeter taste?
Is that the traditional one or the cibao valley?

These have those characteristics as well. This Seco is the regular one. They sent a sample I didn’t request of the CV version. I got quite a few wrapper candidates out of that bag. I’ll sort the Viso and Ligero in just a bit. It has a slight chocolate taste to it. No bite even fresh rolled. This one is a tad damp so I could get the wrinkles out but it’s doing alright. I probably won’t do anything with the Condega till tomorrow night or Saturday.

 

[Ginsinjones]

I might have to put the traditional criollo seco in my shopping cart.
It's either that or piloto seco I havnt decided.
I'm also torn between the condega viso or the Paraguay flojo viso.
Such fun!
I'll probably place another order on monday

 

[Ginsinjones]

Would the criollo 98 wrapper be a good choice for narrow cigars or should I buy CT shade?