Rank these Connecticut Wrapper sticks
ZAP
Everyone, Registered Users Posts: 164
I've never really spent much time smoking Connecticut wrapper cigars and want to make that a point of emphasis in the near future...but where to begin.
What of these do you really enjoy and why and which would you stay away from? Thanks for any help.
-Avo
-Ashton
-Montecristo White
-Macunudo
-The Griffin's
-Alec Bradley Connecticut
-Rocky Patel Connecticut
-Camacho Connecticut
-5 Vegas Gold
Any other suggestions?
What of these do you really enjoy and why and which would you stay away from? Thanks for any help.
-Avo
-Ashton
-Montecristo White
-Macunudo
-The Griffin's
-Alec Bradley Connecticut
-Rocky Patel Connecticut
-Camacho Connecticut
-5 Vegas Gold
Any other suggestions?
Comments
-Avo
-Perdomo Champagne
-Montecristo White
-Oliva reserve
-hoyo de monterey
-San cristobal
-The Griffin's
-Camacho Connecticut
-San Lotano
-private stock
-Rocky Patel Connecticut
-Macunudo
-Alec Bradley Connecticut (havent tried)
--5 Vegas Gold
Haven't had any of the others except for RP and 5V Gold. They are fine if you like a connie stick, but can't touch the first 3 IMO.
Having said that I'd really like to try the Griffin's though.
San Lotano Connecticut
Avo
Ashton
Perdomo Champagne
San Cristobal Elegancia
I know most people don't really think of aging a connie stick, and for good reason since most are mild and age would likely take most of the flavor out of it. BUT, in my experience I've discovered that about 1 year or a little more (18+ months is the most I've ever aged a connie) can really help those nutty/bready flavors come out. Even though they are mild, I think a young connie can have a bit of harshness on the front end.
I first discovered this early on with a Park Avenue early in my smoking career (which I should have mentioned - I think this is the best budget connie out there). First one I had was harsh and just not good at all, so I buried the few I had left. Dug one out not expecting anything about a year later and was shocked by how good it was - it was a completely different stick. I've experienced similar things with an Ashton orginal and Cabinet.
Any one else experience this, or am I just nuts?
The other factor is some tobacco simply does not go well with every wrapper. This is the challenge and art of a blender- how they utilize and allow different tobaccos to marry with each other. Connecticut wrapper has soft, creamy, slight floral aroma but at the same time the weaknesses is its bitterness. Some blender age Connecticut in rum, cognac and other liquor barrels to soften the bitterness and naturally infuse some sweetness to the tobacco. It is also true young Con. tobacco leaves intended to be more bitter than aged Con.
The key is how the blender age, utilize and optimize the taste of Con. leaf with the blends. There is also Connecticut Ecuadorian wrapper which has little more body for the strong sun in Ecuador and different soil and the weather. It does age better than US Connecticut. The blender usually try to make mild to medium bodied fillers blend with Connecticut wrapper to optimize the creamy texture of the wrapper. but again, it also depends on the binder and filler tobaccos.
In a nutshell, it is true Connecticut does not perform well with long aging compares to Cameroon, Habano, Maduro and others. However, there is also some exception such as Stradavarious, Carlos Torano Reserva Selecta, Macanudo Vintage 2000 and many others. It all depends on the blends and other factors.
Finally, blending cigar is an art and some blenders can do magic with tobaccos.
My absolute favorite is the Perdomo Edicion de Silvio Connecticut.
No Connecticut wrapped cigar should have this much flavor and complexity.
Expensive, but IMO it's worth every cent.
Avo
Griffens
Camacho
To add I'd say la aurora sapphire!! Very good conny!! Not a big fan of the conny wrapper but the la aurora is my personal fav so far
1) AVO
2) Camacho Conn (little kick of black pepper to it)
3) Monte White (great smoke, MSRP is too high IMO though)
4) Macanudo 5) (tied) RP Conn / 5V Gold
(Have not smoked the others: The Griffin's, AB Conn, or Ashton)
-Ashton
-Camacho Connecticut
-The Griffin's
-Montecristo White
-Alec Bradley Connecticut
-5 Vegas Gold
-Rocky Patel Connecticut
-Macunudo
Avo ( love everything Avo )
The Griffins
Ashton
Camacho
Macanudo ( go ahead and hate, haters. )
Montecristo
Alec Bradley
5 Vegas Gold
CAO Gold
Rocky Patel Connie ( one RP I just don't like )
Perdomo. ( not for me at all )
Also the Fuentes- Chateau Fuentes Connecticut is a solid offering as well.
Just smoked a Camacho Monarcha, great smoke!!! Better than the Oliva, IMO