Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut Coffee Break – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

Back in 2012, Nestor Miranda, President of Miami Cigar & Co., introduced a cigar that became a favorite morning time cigar: the Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut. This line, designed to be the perfect accompaniment to a morning coffee, quickly found its place alongside the Habano Rosado and Oscuro in the Special Selection collection. However, the line was retired in 2014, leaving fans yearning for its return.

Now, after an eight-year hiatus, this beloved cigar is making a grand comeback. While it retains its familiar charm, the Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut has undergone a slight transformation, offering a blend that is as close to the original as possible, yet distinct in its own right. Jason Wood, Vice President of Miami Cigar & Co., has worked diligently to recreate the essence of the original blend, acknowledging the subtle differences brought on by time and terroir.

Produced once again by My Father Cigars S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua, the same factory that made the original, the blend components are undisclosed, other than the fact that it uses a Connecticut wrapper. The original blend, known for its Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and a complex mix of Nicaraguan, Dominican, and Honduran fillers, set a high bar for this reissue. Available in three sizes – the Coffee Break, Toro, and Gran Toro – each offers a unique experience.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Robusto
Length: 4 1/2″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Undisclosed
Filler: Undisclosed
Factory: My Father Cigars S.A.
Blender: Nestor Miranda and Jason Wood
Number of reviewers: 5 – Mickey T. (irratebass) Jason H. (Jokey Smurf) Alan (Eulogy) Quinn (quinnpins269) John A. (Bostoneo)
Price: $7.50
Age: 5 Months
Release Date: May 2022
Contributed by: Blind Man's Puff

Initial Impressions – Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut Coffee Break

Appearance: 91

“Looks like a petite robusto being a little under five inches. There is a large triple cap that isn't very well applied and the seams are all a little raised. A few green blemishes on the brown sugar brown wrapper that makes it look a bit off.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Aroma: 90

“On the nose, an earthy dirt profile along with leathery tobacco scents give a pleasant snort. A wonderful resistance cold draw gives off flavors of vanilla, oak, and baking spices.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

First Third

Flavor: 91
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium-Full

“The draw is perfect right from the start. There is a heavy amount of red pepper on a surprisingly full-bodied profile. Notes of leather, cedar, and anise start to develop after the very spicy opening starts to subside.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“The initial flavors on the cigar are heavy with black pepper and charred wood. Through the nose, the smoke is much lighter than I expected, with just hints of white pepper and a very slight nasal burn. So far I'm really enjoying the way this has started out as I'm in the mood for something a little fuller bodied.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Second Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Moving into the second third, a solid medium-bodied vanilla, oak with bright pepper starts off this flavor bomb third. Flavors remain stable throughout as this cigar is well constructed and burning like a champion.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

“The beginning of the second third was great, it still had a good amount of creamy smoke output. The citrus was still in the background and some gram cracker notes started to appear. The second half left a lot to be desired. The cigar had started to burn very unevenly and would not correct, even with touch-ups. It also began to swell and crack through the wrapper.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

Final Third

Flavor: 93
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The cigar continued with the same notes as the previous two-thirds, but with this third, there was some white and black pepper thrown in the really enhance the baking spice. It did not increase the strength by any means, but just gave it more of a bite if you will.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“Burning into the last third, flavors remain bright and consistent. Big oak & vanilla flavors shine through as the dominant flavors with the finish high on baking spices. This third begun a big ramp up on strength to, causing euphoric buzzy feelings.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Overall Impressions – Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut Coffee Break

Draw: 93

“Just the right amount of resistance for a wonderful smoke.” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Burn: 96

“While the burn was never quite razor sharp, I never had to do any touchups. I'm thankful that even with a slight breeze the cigar didn't wander too much as it's always frustrating to have to chase the burn around when you're just trying to enjoy the flavors of the cigar.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

Construction: 94

“It performed perfectly even though it didn't look great doing it. The seams were raised, the triple cap wasn't applied very well, and the foot was a little underfilled. Most of the complaints were more cosmetic but it holds back the construction.” –Alan (Eulogy)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium-Full
Experience Overall: 94

“This was an excellent cigar. It was the perfect cigar to end the night with. This is a cigar that you dream of all day long, and when you finally get the chance to light it up it doesn't disappoint and makes you sad when it's over, and wished you had more. The cigar is full of sweet cream, some floral and baking spices that never let the cigar get above a medium. It refreshes your palate with each sip and cools your mouth with each puff, just take your time with it, because it is a quick smoke. This is quite an amazing cigar. I would definitely say this is a blind box purchase.” –Mickey T. (irratebass)

“This has been a very enjoyable cigar from start to finish. I very much enjoyed the transitions from pepper to burnt sugar back to pepper. It really was a good start to my day. Having smoked this I can easily say this is something I would recommend to nearly anyone, especially someone who enjoys a slightly more full bodied cigar. I could easily find myself pairing this with a cup of coffee, and I could smoke it at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day without problem or complaint.” –Jason H. (Jokey Smurf)

“I loved the profile and the dynamic shifts in flavors. It may not have been the prettiest cigar ever made but it did everything so well it is easy to overlook. If you want a full-flavored cigar in a short profile this is a real winner.” –Alan (Eulogy)

“The first part of this cigar offered a great medium profile with a nice amount of citrus and gram cracker sweetness. The smoke output was plentiful and creamy as well. The second part is where it all fell apart for me. Riddled with construction problems, it left me putting the cigar down early. It may be a cigar I try again, but time will tell if I actually reach for one.” –Quinn (quinnpins269)

“This was a nice cigar to smoke that will most certainly wake you up as it was full of strength! Medium-bodied profile of vanilla, oak, and baking spices dominated the cigar with clean and bright flavors the whole session while the construction and burn were top-notch. Take your time smoking this one, else you may get a mighty buzz!” –John A. (Bostoneo)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 56

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut Coffee Break – Blind Cigar Review