Everyone knows not to judge a book by its cover. The same could be said about Connecticut wrapper cigars. The antiquated notion that a silky-smooth Connecticut will be a mellow smoke doesn't hold up these days. A Connie can be all over the spectrum with regards to strength and body. The delicate and soft wrapper that is so widely used today is approaching 125 years old, with the first shade-leaf tent being put up in 1900. I always love the feel of a gritty and toothy wrapper, but I also really enjoy the luxurious feel of a super smooth shade wrapper. I suppose at the end of the day I just love having any cigar in my hand! Today's cigar in hand is the AJF New World Connecticut Robusto. Let's fire it up and see where it lands on the spectrum.
The Deets
Cigar: AJ Fernandez New World Connecticut Robusto
Origin: Estelí, Nicaragua
Factory: Tabacalera AJ Fernandez de Nicaragua
Size: 5 x 50
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Shade
Binder: Mexican San Andrés
Filler: Nicaragua, Brazil
Appearance 9.5/10
I'm very impressed with the look. Seams are perfect on the ultra-smooth & blemish-free wrapper, well applied bands, and no tape was used on foot band. The uniformity is NASA level straight, firm pack, and even bunch. The cap is flat and clean, but reminds me of a bowl-cut hair style gone bad.
Draw 9.5/10
Using a straight cut I was provided a nearly perfect draw. At the halfway mark I did use the poker a couple time (no removal) to help make some elbowroom. Straight through the session the draw was very nice.
Burn/Construction 9/10
No messes were had with the sturdy ash and the delicate wrapper has zero issues with cracking or swelling. The burn line wanted to be slanted the entire time, but it did remain consistent and wasn't too much of a problem.
Taste 8.5/10
1/3 - I was greeted off the light with blank paper, cedar retro, and a super mild sweetness on the finish. Pencil shavings join in on the blank sheets of paper as the body continues to be very light. Light+ is achieved after an inch or so. The cedar and sweetness slowly pull up, while the paper and shavings fall back.
2/3 - Moving inward and the same linear cedar is up front with the addition of white pepper. Hitting the halfway mark there is a nuttiness that arrives and does its best to push the body into medium. The finish picks up just a splash of cream towards the final third.
3/3 - I supposed the body has reached medium, but only by a smidge. Very little has changed as soft cedar dominates and the scattered nuts remain. The sweetness on the finish has been replaced with sprinkles of black pepper. Classic Connie bitters arrive at the finale, but they are on the light side and acceptable.
Overall 9.1/10
Looking over the entire package, the cigar is enjoyable. It is well made, but very much a 1-trick pony, and a mellow pony at that. If gentle & straight forward is your jam, then the New World Connecticut is perfect. I'd certainly smoke this again, maybe with morning coffee or something like that.
**Number of cigars smoked for the review: 1
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