Almost one year ago The Cigar Authority named their 2018 Cigar of the Year. At the time I summarized the cigar with the following conclusion, “On the podcast I refer to some of the newer Connecticut cigars as, Not your Grandfather’s Connecticut. The Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut is a perfect example of that. If you were to smoke this cigar with a blindfold on, you might have a hard time guessing the wrapper. It’s a medium bodied cigar full of flavor and complexity. It’s consistency, quality, value and of course flavor is the reason it stood out in 2018 and is our Cigar of the Year. This memorable cigar should be a staple in your humidor and around for years if not decades to come.”
With the 2019 winner announcement is just days away we take a look at the reigning cigar of the year one last timed see if those words hold true one year later.
Cigar Review: Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua (Aganorsa)
Filler: Nicaragua (Aganorsa)
Length: 6″
Ring Gauge 52
Size: Toro
The Look: The Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut is laid out in two rows of ten cigars. The Connecticut wrapped cigar is more tan in color than blonde with a few thin veins and a nice amount of oils visible. The tan, black, gold and burgundy band denotes, “Fabrica de Tabacos Casa Fernandez” with “Aganorsa” in the center. A secondary band states Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut and the presentation is rounded out with a peach colored foot ribbon .The cigar which is lightly box pressed is firm in the hand with no soft spots and a well packed foot.
The Notes: As has become our smoking ritual we cut the cigar and take a few pulls before light it up. We find that this helps open up the palate and prepare for the smoking experience ahead. The cold draw serves up notes of earth and cedar while the aroma off the unlit foot is earthy with nuance of wheat.
Once the cigar is lit up there is a burst of pepper especially on the nose and the retrohale. As the pepper subsides notes of cedar and wheat are dominant while in the background there is a subtle sweetness and a buttery richness. There is a touch of cocoa present on the finish which is incredibly smooth.
The second third of the cigar sees the development of some licorice notes which at times becomes dominant with hints of cocoa in the background. The cocoa is enhanced on the retrohale which also sees continued pepper notes. Around the halfway point wheat and cedar no slowly overtake the the licorice component while the cigar has a relatively short finish.
As the smoke the final third of the Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut notes of butter and warm fresh baked bread dominate the palate with touches cedar, wheat and a subtle cocoa. Its a complex cigar and it is definitely not your Grandfather’s Connecticut.
The Finish: While the official size of the 2018 COTY was the Robusto we opted for the Toro for todays review. Regardless the Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut remained consistent throughout the year. It delivered an experience that has changed the view of Connecticut wrapper smokes to many of our readers and listeners. It was a banner year for AGANORSA and we were happy to be along for the ride.
Score: 95
Price: $7.79 / $137.99
Aganorsa Leaf CT Toro
Aganorsa Leaf CT Toro Foot
Aganorsa Leaf CT Toro Burn
