Vital Stats:
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
Vitola: Toro
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge: 52
Country of Origin: Honduras
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras
Factory: Oscar Valladares Tobacco & Company
Blender: Jim Robinson & Oscar Valladares
Number of reviewers: 5—–Sandeep (Djangos) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Derek (StogieNinja) Milton (mjohnsoniii) James (dscl)
Price: $9.50
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: 2014
Contributed by: Puros de Ballard
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 94
“A few small veins run the length of the beautiful tan wrapper. Nearly flawless. It’s lighter than I usually prefer, but gorgeous.” –James (dscl)
Aroma: 90
“The aroma of this cigar was interesting, and mostly reminded me of an old leather jacket…a scent that reminds me of home and good times. The pre-light draw was wide open and had no discernible flavors.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
First Third
Flavor: 90
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“I was frankly not prepared for the blast of pepper that this cigar started out with. I was expecting a much milder beginning as everything thus far suggested a milder smoke. However, just as the pepper was strong to begin with, it died down after a few puffs. After that, the flavors mellowed out nicely. There is definite coffee and hay. Also a barnyardy character that is quite pleasant. The flavors don’t change much over the length of the first third. The burn is at an angle, but no other issues. The draw is very good and the ash is white and flaky. The smoke is present in large volumes and is creamy and smooth.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“Wow…the first puffs of this cigar are super creamy, and have a flavor that strongly reminds me of pumpkin pie with whipped cream…yeah, I said it…whipped cream. There is very little pepper zing either on the palate, or through the nostrils. As this third progresses, a cinnamon note enters the flavor bouquet…even more pie-like! Gotta love that!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Second Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The flavors ramp up as I start the second half, primarily cloves and cinnamon, while still being bright in tone. The spices are backed by oak, cedar, leather and some honeyed sweetness. Generally, I prefer the nutmeg and nuttiness to be the core of the lighter cigars I smoke. I don’t really chase this profile, but I’m really enjoying this as a change of pace.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
“I continued to be pleasantly surprised at the flavors and strength this cigar offered. Rosemary, pecans, a bit of baking spices, leather and chiles all played a part of the complexity this cigar presented. Wow.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
Final Third
Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium
“The complexity of the cigar definitely picks up in the final third. The coffee is coming back and is the predominant flavor but that is replaced by a leather and hay in the last inch or so. The woodsy notes have also gained strength and there is a definite cedar like quality present. Towards the end, the pepper picks up and gives it the much needed kick that was lacking in the middle third. Very enjoyable. The smoke burn and draw are still very good to the very end.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“The sweetness fades a bit and from left field comes a slight salty flavor. It balances well against the sweetness and leaves me wanting more. Unfortunately it came rather late into the stick.” –James (dscl)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 93
“This cigar was wide open prior to the application of flame, but once burning the draw stiffened just enough to be almost perfect for me. The smoke was ample and creamy…quite enjoyable.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
Burn: 94
“Nice thick puffs of creamy smoke. The burnline stayed relatively straight and self corrected the few times it wandered. It did burn surprisingly quickly for such a large cigar.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
Construction: 94
“The construction was almost perfect on this cigar. The wrapper was laid perfectly and stayed intact the entire time I smoked it. What appeared to be a triple cap was as precisely applied as any I’ve seen. It had a couple of prominent veins and was a bit firmer closer towards the cap than it was towards the foot.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Overall Experience: 93
“Lovers of milder to medium cigars are going to love this one. Even though not very complex in the first and middle thirds, it picks up and compensates in the final third. I usually enjoy a little more pepper and more spice so I was a little disappointed in that. More sweeter flavors would have been welcome, but then again this was not a maduro. Overall, a good cigar that I will definitely want to visit again.” –Sandeep (Djangos)
“The initial flavors of this cigar were intriguing for me. If there were a bit more in the area of transition, or variety of flavor, this would have scored very highly for me. As it is, it’s a superb morning cigar, and will pair quite nicely with some coffee or tea. I’ve never been a huge fan of Conny wrapped cigars, but this is one I’d love to try again!” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)
“Very nice. It’s an unusual profile for me, all cloves and cinnamon. It was an enjoyable change of pace, and I’d recommend it to those who are fans of cigars with the profile. Personally, I won’t go seeking these out, but if I come across another one, I may pick it up to revisit.” –Derek (StogieNinja)
“It wasn’t the best I’ve had but it was complex and offered a lot of flavors and never presented a dull moment. It definitely had some strength to it which is what I personally look forward to in the cigars I smoke. I can’t wait to see what this cigar is as I will be looking to add some to my stash. This was an excellent cigar in my opinion.” –Milton (mjohnsoniii)
“I would smoke this again, but in an ideal world the transition that occurred in the last third would spring up just a little bit earlier.” –James (dscl)
Smoking Time (in minutes): 87
Total Score: 93 (Excellent)
| Reviewer | Appea-rance | Aroma | 1/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | Draw | Burn | Constr. | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandeep | 95 | 95 | 95 | 93 | 95 | 97 | 95 | 95 | 93 |
| Jason | 90 | 88 | 95 | 95 | 93 | 95 | 95 | 90 | 93 |
| Derek | 95 | 95 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 93 | 95 | 93 |
| Milton | 88 | 90 | 90 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 95 | 93 | 95 |
| James | 95 | 90 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 95 | 90 |
| Overall | 94 | 90 | 90 | 93 | 93 | 93 | 94 | 94 | 93 |
To view the complete scores and notes, click here.