"For a cigar that looked odd from the get-go and had a highly unpleasant cold draw, it performed very well and acted overall like an “ordinary” cigar. Hooray! I liked the portfolio of flavors presented by this cigar throughout the smoking experience and, coupled with the excellent construction, I’d certainly smoke it again. " -Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
"Flavor profile notwithstanding, this was a smooth and easy smoke. If you're a fan of floral cigars, with a simple expression that you don't have to think a lot about, this could make a nice Sunday morning cigar with a cup of tea and a good book. But it's a miss for me." -Vance T. (Vance)
"What started out as a good cigar ended poorly. Enjoyed the variety of notes that came through. Towards the end, the wrapper split and unraveled. Draw became hard and the cigar became spongy. Touch-up was needed at the beginning and two re-lights were needed at the end. A 50/50 cigar. Never know which half will be enjoyable." -Sean F. (fullermaine)
"This was a great little cigar. Nice transitions, and a flavor complexity kind of right in the middle. Not too simple, not overly complex. Burn and draw made for a fun enjoyment factor, and the flavors definitely leave you wanting there to be more to smoke when it is done. Mild-mannered, and no stronger than medium, this would be a good anytime cigar, especially if you are wanting to reach for something with some good flavors and don't have a ton of time to sit and enjoy. " -Kevin A. (Kevin A.)
"This was a great cigar overall. The flavors did not pop, but they were there. retro-hale was very smooth and It was a very easy cigar to smoke. I'd smoke it again over and over again if the price point were right. " -James H. (Keikan Jim)
"I really enjoyed this cigar, specifically the way it evolved. It was like a meal, starting with a smoky, peppered steak and ending with a warm cinnamon-dusted butter cake. This could easily become a daily smoke for me depending on price point." -Vance T. (Vance)
"This cigar wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t complex, and it was rough goings early on with a tight draw that eventually opened up to acceptable levels of airflow. While I wouldn’t seek out this cigar to smoke again, to use a favorite line my hero Larry David, “having said that” I could think of worse ways to spend 52 minutes. " -Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
"I want to smoke another one of these refined, delicious cigars immediately. I’m so curious to see if the flavor profile is consistent amongst other samples because if they are - it is without a singular doubt box-purchase worthy. Seek this excellent cigar out immediately before I buy them all!" -Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
"The plethora of woodsy notes in this cigar with the addition of the pronounced mineral component reminded me of several Cuban maduros that I’ve smoked over the years. It’s an enjoyable smoking experience, I especially appreciated the spike in strength in the final third which kept the finale from being boring. I hate boring cigars and this one passed the boring test." -Matt Cade (CadeTNCC)
"This cigar was fantastic! this is coming from a guy who rarely smokes a Connie. I may have to rethink this after smoking this one. There was a Connie from DE many years ago, which is no longer in production, that I loved. This reminds me of that cigar and I will search it out once I find out what it is. I recommend you do the same." -James H. (Keikan Jim)