Nub Connecticut Cigar Review: A Smooth & Creamy Gordito From Oliva Cigars

Nub Connecticut Look & Feel

• Wrapper Hue: Tan Leather
• Rolling Consistency: Even
• Spring: Firm Spring
• Aromas: Fresh Straw, Cedar, Sesame Seed

With its pale tan leather wrapper, the Nub Connecticut is a tantalising cigar and gives off a mild sheen against the light. Furthermore, the body provides a firm spring with an even consistency, all from the head to the foot.

In terms of scent, the Connecticut gives off a very aromatic odour featuring fresh straw, cedar wood as well as a light sesame finish. There’s also a faint hint of basil in there, which only reveals itself with the wrapper against the nose.

Nub Connecticut Review

As we make sure to highlight with every cigar review, a number were consumed for the purposes of this review. Given that cigars are handmade commodities, there’s always a slight variance between each one. Therefore, trying several allows us to look for consistency while establishing an average experience.

Pre-Lighting Experience

• Draw: Mild Resistance
• Aromas: Straw, Cinnamon, Patchouli

A pre-light draw reveals the same straw and barnyard aromas as experienced on the wrapper. There’s also a very faint hint of cinnamon, whilst a mildly earthy yet intoxicating note of patchouli dominates the nostrils.

1st Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Brioche, Buttercream, Cedar

Lighting the Nub is a procedure that takes patience and a steady hand, given the surface area. Once lit, it opens with a powerful burst of cloud and intense flavour. After about a quarter of an inch, this settles to a very creamy and flavoursome smoke.

The opening is dominated by a buttery and yeasty flavour that I’d likened to a warm brioche. This is extended by a buttercream finish that lingers a few moments on the palate. Meanwhile, sharp and aromatic cedar wood fills the nostrils on the retro-hale.

2nd Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Brioche, Crème Anglaise, Labdanum

Once well into the second third, the opening flavours develop without drastically changing. There’s a consistent evolution where the brioche grows in intensity, and the buttercream develops into a sweeter crème anglaise with refined hints of vanilla.

Meanwhile, the cedar notes slowly fade in favour of dry and musky labdanum note that is faintly reminiscent of suede leather.

Final Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Cinnamon, Porridge, Suede Leather

As the second third comes to a close, the notes grow in intensity whilst remaining a mild-bodied smoke. The brioche has more-or-less faded, but there is a discernable yeasty flavour that is evocative of Champagne.

Smoking through the final third, a sweet cinnamon note draws into play alongside a thick yet rich porridge flavour. Despite this gourmand surface, the second third’s labdanum has evolved into an immersive suede leather note that is particularly discernable in the retro-hale.

Throughout each third, the thick smoke remains very creamy over the palate with a nice, mealy texture. However, the amplitude of smoke doesn’t cause the cigar to lose its mild body.

Overall Burn

• Ash Backbone: Very Resilient
• Burn Angle: Even
• Temperature: Cool
• Draw: Faint Resistance
• Final Smoking Time: 45 Minutes

One of the most admirable characteristics of the Nub Connecticut is the ash backbone’s sheer strength. Tough and resilient, you can smoke it all the way down without having to de-ash once. This is impressive and speaks volumes about the construction quality.

Similarly, the burn is razor sharp and rarely becomes uneven in the number of Connecticuts I have tried.

As such, this provides a very cool and relaxing smoke that’s enjoyable from start to finish. Only towards the end of the cigar do you begin to feel a rise in temperature, and that’s usually on the fingers!

Depending on your zeal, the Connecticut can be smoked in between 30 to 45 minutes. However, I tend to finish around the 40-minute mark.

Ideal Pairings With A Nub Connecticut

Thanks to its smooth and creamy texture, the Connecticut is a wonderfully versatile smoke that can be paired with a great number of beverages and snacks.

Personally, I’m very fond of a Nub Connecticut and a coffee, which makes it one of the few cigars that I may reach for in the early morning.

Otherwise, its yeasty flavours render it ideal for smoking alongside a glass of Champagne such as Veuve Clicquot’s Carte jaune.

Otherwise, it pairs nicely with soft drinks, and I also tend to enjoy it with a ginger ale, which helps extend the more zesty and spicy notes concealed in the cigar’s first third. Alternatively, it’s a great cigar to pair with a craft beer such as a Real Ale or IPA.

Overall Experience

A box of 25 Nub Connecticut cigars is delivered in a wooden crate-like case that is reminiscent of bootlegging. I’m quite fond of these chunky little boxes that fit the brand rather well. However, they’re not ideal for cigar storage alone, and I usually keep the boxes themselves sealed in Boveda bag.

Once I’m about halfway through the box, they’ll end up in my desktop humidor for safekeeping.

As for the band, I love how Nub has created a small and discreet one that corresponds to the cigar’s size. This means that you can keep it on for at least the first 20 minutes before removing it. Nevertheless, it’s a very easy band to remove, as very little glue holds it in place.

Furthermore, the band’s contemporary design is set upon a cream-coloured background that matches the cigar’s wrapper. A few gold strips add a pop of colour whilst the brand logo is centred above the cigar’s name.

Finally, the value for money of these cigars is quite reasonable. Nevertheless, it’s important to bear in mind that although they’re short, they’re very wide, too, so you do get a sizeable dose of tobacco in each stick.

Whilst they tend to RRP at $8 a stick, they’re often on sale where you can benefit from excellent discounts. However, even at full price, I’d say that they’re worthwhile cigars.

When Should You Smoke A Nub Connecticut?

As I said earlier, the Connecticut is one of the few cigars that I’ll happily smoke in the morning without feeling too queasy. Since they’re relatively short smokes, they’re great to enjoy if you have just only over half an hour to spare. With their light and aromatic yet full flavours, they’re great for unwinding.

Alternatively, if you have a little time left over following lunch, they’re a relaxing choice for digesting. However, I’d say that they’re a touch of the mild side for any time later than the mid-afternoon. Instead, I’d then opt for a Nub Habano or Maduro of the same ilk.

In terms of occasion, these are an excellent cigar to share with friends as they’re a great conversion piece. For instance, their deceptively complex array of notes has often provoked discussion within the BU team.

Nevertheless, you don’t need to go into too much detail but simply enjoy them in silence with your buddies when out fishing or during a barbecue.

Closing Thoughts

The Nub Connecticut is one of my favorites and a regular go-to smoke. However, whilst trying to remain as objective as possible, it is indeed an excellent cigar. Despite being packed full of creamy and intense flavours, it remains an overall mild-bodied smoke.

This makes it ideal for beginners; I often recommend it to anyone looking to try their first cigar. Nevertheless, it’s also a pleasant and relaxing choice for us enthusiasts too when looking to simply unwind.

Further Reading

If you enjoyed reading this cigar review, feel free to check out more related content:

• All Bespoke Unit Cigar Reviews
• Best Cigar Cutters To Buy Online
• Top 10 Cigar Lighters To Buy Online
• Where To Buy Cigars
• Bespoke Unit Cigar Home