Camacho Connecticut Cigar Review: Regular Parejo Vs. Box-Pressed Difference & Smoking Experience

The regular Connecticuts are available in the following vitolas:

• Robusto Tubo (50×5): $8.25
• Machito (32×4): $49.95 for 6
• Robusto (50×5): $8.00
• Toro (50×6): $8.25
• Gordo (60×6): $9.25
• Figurado (54×6.5): $9.00
• Churchill (48×7): $8.75

Meanwhile, the Box-Pressed variant is a more limited range consisting of the following:

• Robusto (50×5): $8.00
• Toro (50×6): $8.25
• Gordo (60×6): $9.25

By adding American Broafleaf to the box pressed Connecticuts, Camacho says that this itensifies the aromas and dramatically boosts the overall tasting experience. Bespoke Unit founder Paul Anthony and I were very curious to see how these differed when smoked.

Camacho Connecticut Look & Feel

• Wrapper Hue: Latte Coffee
• Rolling Consistency: Even
• Spring: Mild Spring
• Aromas: Dry Straw, summer savory herbs

At first glance, the only discernable difference between the regular parejo and box-pressed Connecticuts are the shape. Otherwise, both a very similar in their texture and appearance.

Both feature a creamy latte coffee hue of wrapper with a very mild sheen. Their wrappers both border on a matte finish with a slight satin touch. As for the rolling consistency, it’s as you would expect from Camacho with a mild spongy spring.

In terms of aromas, both cigars feature the characteristic scents of Connecticut shade tobacco. A good inhale along the body brings tangible imagery of dry straw on a sunny day with aromatic notes of summer savory and thyme.

Camacho Connecticut Review

Being handmade products, it is said that every cigar is different. For this reason, both Paul Anthony and I smoked a few Connecticuts each. Furthermore, we smoked the Robusto vitola of both the regular parejos and box-pressed cigars.

Pre-Lighting Experience

• Draw: Low [Parejo], Mild [BxP]
• Aromas: Brazil Nuts, Coffee Cake, Grapefruit [BxP]

Taking a dry draw on both vitolas, they seemed to be relatively similar. However, the Box Pressed provided slightly more resistance than the regular Parejo that was somewhat looser.

Meanwhile, the aromas were quite similar. The flavours were nuttier than expect with a slight Brazil Nut bitterness. Nevertheless, there was an overt coffee cake accord, which brought out a creamy milkiness with the coffee roast flavours.

That said, the Parejo Connecticut seemed somewhat more bitter than the Box-Pressed that felt more aromatic in flavour with notes of Grapefruit.

1st Third Smoking Experience

• Notes [Parejo]: Straw, Citrus, Birch Wood
• Notes [BxP]: Straw, Citrus, Aromatic Herbs

Both Connecticut vitolas started off as rather mild and smooth smokes with a few delicate notes of straw and citrus. Neither were particularly overpowering and felt quite linear during the initial ten minutes after lighting.

As a bit of ash began to form, both cigars began to form an underlying note, which was different between the two. Whilst the regular Parejo shape leaned towards woody notes reminiscent of birch, the Box-Pressed was somewhat more aromatic.

For instance, the Parejo’s birch notes reminded me of birch tar and suede leather. Meanwhile, the Box-Pressed featured a small herbal bouquet of the summer savoury as well as thyme and sage.

2nd Third Smoking Experience

• Notes [Parejo]: Straw, Birch Wood, Latte Coffee
• Notes [BxP]: Straw, Aromatic Herbs, Cappuccino

As Paul and I made our way to the second thirds, we noticed that the citrus notes dissipated in both vitolas. Yet, we were left with the initial straw notes as well as their respective birch and herbal notes.

Nevertheless, each began developing creamy and coffee notes, which were similar yet discernibly different. Firstly, the regular Parejo give off notes that can be likened to a latte coffee with thick cream and an underlying roasted bitterness.

However, with a more complex palate, the Box-Pressed felt more like a cappuccino. I was able to pick up both milk and frothy cream as well as the bitter coffee. Furthermore, there were minor aromas of milk chocolate that added an extra level of depth to the cigar.

Final Third Smoking Experience

• Notes [Parejo]: Toasted Brioche, Buttercream, Pepper
• Notes [BxP]: Toasted Brioche, Buttercream

As we drew well into the final third, both cigar shapes began to shed their woody and aromatic notes. Instead, the coffee notes faded to leave a thick and intense creamy note. Due to their very intense and dense flavour, buttercream felt like the most appropriate identifier.

Furthermore, both began to develop an overt smoked yeastiness that can only be described as toasted brioche. This was particularly satisfying and it was interesting to note how two cigars started on different paths only to come back together towards the end.

If there was any difference to be noted, the Boxed Press remained quite smooth throughout the smoke whereas the regular Parejo grew some peppery characteristics.

Overall Burn

• Ash Backbone: Loose [Parejo], Resilient [BxP]
• Burn Angle: Even
• Temperature: Tepid [Parejo], Cool [BxP]
• Draw: Faint Resistance
• Final Smoking Time: 35 Minutes [Parejo], 45 Minutes [BxP]

Although the notes tasted during the smoke were quite similar and shared a number of characteristics, the burn was somewhat different.

Firstly, both cigars featured very even burns as we’re used to with Camacho. However, the Box-Pressed Connecticut featured a slightly stronger ash that was less prone to falling during the smoke.

Similarly, the Parejo had a tendency to heat up, which created some notes of pepper. Meanwhile, the Box-Pressed maintained a cool and balanced smoke throughout. As for their draw resistance, both seemed quite similar with a faint but not overly loose draw.

Given that the Box-Pressed was a cooler smoke, it also lasted longer as it didn’t burn through getting too hot. Therefore, you can probably enjoy a Box-Pressed around 10 minutes longer than a regular Parejo Connecticut.

Ideal Pairings With A Camacho Connecticut

As can be presumed by reading the previous sections, the Connecticut is a very creamy smoke with hints of coffee. This is a characteristic that’s quite common among Connecticut shade grown cigars and they usually pair wonderfully with a coffee.

However, they are best smoked with milder coffee such as a creamy latte or even a mild espresso. For instance, strongly roasted and bitter or coppery espressos would be too strong with a Connecticut. If you can find a milder roast, this would be ideal.

Otherwise, Connecticuts pair quite nicely with other refreshing beverages such as beers, ciders and soda or even Champagne! This is because their body isn’t too full, which doesn’t overpower the senses.

Overall Experience

Presentation

As with all of Camacho’s offerings, the box is beautifully lacquered with the range’s colours. Here, these are orange and black, which are reversed on the Box-Pressed case. In fact, they’re quite reminiscent of the UPS logo!

Furthermore, we have some lovely details including Camacho-branded hinges and an inside panel on the box, which explains the cigar’s characteristics.

It was also quite interesting to see these boxes side-by-side as you can see the space gained when the cigars are box pressed. Originally, it is said that cigars were first box pressed to save on space when shipping across the country or the Atlantic. Here, we can actually see the difference for a box of twenty sticks.

Otherwise, the cigar bands are identical with the same colours and style. On the inside of the bands, you can spot a watermark featuring Camacho’s scorpion logo.

When To Smoke A Camacho Connecticut

As the Bold Everyday Smoke range suggests, these are wonderfully casual cigars that are ideal for laid-back smokes. Being quite light and not overwhelming in body, they’re comfortable to smoke any time of day. However, we’d say that they’re best suited for the mid-afternoon.

Unless you’re new to cigars, these aren’t a cigar to reserve for special occasions. Instead, they’re great to be enjoyed alone with friends. With summer around the corner, these would be a fantastic choice for an afternoon barbecue with the boys for instance.

Meanwhile, the Box-Pressed might be an unusual novelty for some and definitely worth trying. For those new to the shape, they may seem somewhat awkward at first but they’re certainly worth testing.

Closing Thoughts

Being a cooler smoke with a more complex blend, the Box Pressed is our preferred choice of Camacho Connecticut. Whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed with Camacho’s selection of Connecticuts with a variety of shapes and sizes available at similar prices.

In fact, we’ll be reserving a few of these for our afternoon coffees spent editing content in the garden this summer!