Different shades of Connecticut Shade

Hello Cigar smokers,
Today's topic isn't a review, but analysis of something that I think is misleading to a lot of smokers. Not all Connecticut Shade wrappers are created equally, and not all Connecticut Shade wrappers are grown in Connecticut. Connecticut Shade is a wrapper favored by many smokers that prefer lighter cigars. It is a thin wrapper that is much less oily than many other choices, less oils gives it a lighter flavor and a less intense feeling on the palate. Shade wrappers have a buttery or creamy quality to them and are smoother than many other wrappers. Here are the two different varieties of Connecticut Shade wrapper both blended into two popular Montecristo cigars.

On the left is the Montecristo White Series and on the right is the Montecristo Classic. The Montecristo Classic features a Connecticut shade wrapper grown in Connecticut and the White Series is a Shade wrapper grown in Ecuador. The Connecticut grown Shade wrapper featured in the Classic Series is grown under Nylon tents in Connecticut. Growing the tobacco under tents filters out sunlight, by doing that the tobacco doesn't grow as thick or develop as many oils, resulting in a lighter tobacco. The Ecuadorian Grown tobacco isn't grown under tents, but Ecuador is overcast for much of the year so it filters sunlight similar to the effect of the tents in Connecticut.

Now the difference in taste is more nuanced, they both have a light bodied flavor and an easy draw. The difference I notice is that many of the Ecuadorian variety Shade wrappers are blended into cigars with slightly stronger fillers than the Connecticut grown variety.  To compare the Montecristo Classic to the Montecristo White I notice the Classic maintains the light draw and buttery flavor throughout the cigar, while the White Series tends to pick up and finish with a more medium bodied flavor. They both are on the lighter side, but the White Series definitely changes in flavor more than the Classics.

If you prefer Connecticut Shade wrappers, take notice to where the wrapper leaf is grown and notice the differences between Connecticut grown and Ecuadorian grown. You may be surprised to find out that your favorite Connecticut Shade wrapper isn't actually grown in Connecticut. Talking about cigars is as much fun as smoking them to me. Please leave a comment if this post interests you or email any cigar related questions to jtcigarsofwoodside@gmail.com.
Happy smoking,
JT

Cigar Review: Drew Estate Nica Rustica El Brujito

Hello Cigar Smokers,
Today I'm reviewing a popular and reliable smoke that is proven on the market, Drew Estate's Nica Rustica. These cigars come in a tray display, often times you will find them on the bottom shelves of large humidors. The cigars themselves come in bundles of 25 that come wrapped in construction paper, and retailers load them into the trays as needed. The packaging is definitely cheap, but the cigar itself offers a good value. These cigars are wrapped in a dark Connecticut broadleaf wrapper with a San Andres Mexico binder leaf, with fillers from Nicaragua. This blend all together makes a rich, definitely full bodied cigar. This smoke is a 4/5 strength.

The construction of these cigars is acceptable, some cracked wrappers and other imperfections can be noticed, but in general they are fine. I have noticed imperfections that do affect the quality of the cigar, so be diligent and inspect these before selecting. These cigars are finished with a little pigtail at the cap, which I enjoy it makes them hold together better at the end in my opinion. Some cigars will be on the looser side, I haven't seen a Nica Rustica that is rolled too tight, but I've seen cracked wrappers that result in a cigar almost unraveling on me due to the loose roll and cracked wrapper. This is more of a nitpick than my judgment on the cigar, overall more of these are going to be just fine than give you problems.

On to the smoke itself, from the initial light up you get a strong, full flavor. The Maduro wrapper and binder leaf give you a richness that is very familiar to fans of Maduro cigars. This cigar definitely has strength, but not necessarily complexity. The tobaccos don't build up and change flavors on you. The flavor is good and satisfying, giving a velvety sensation on the palate similar to other rich Maduro wrappers, but it leaves you with the same flavor at the finish as the initial light up. Overall I like this cigar, but I don't love it. It is priced lower than other more premium offerings from Drew Estate and for the value is a very satisfying cigar in it's price point. Overall I recommend this cigar to anybody who does not want to break the bank and wants an introduction into fuller bodied cigars.