Perdomo Habano Connecticut Cigar Review

Perdomo Habano Connecticut Look & Feel

• Wrapper Hue: Golden brown
• Rolling Consistency: Even
• Spring: Solid with a firm resistance
• Aromas: Hay, dried basil, cinnamon

For this review, I’ve been smoking multiple Perdomo Nicaragua Connecticut. However, speaking of Nicaragua, there might be some confusion when it comes to the name of this line because originally, these cigars are called Perdomo Habano Connecticut.

Since in certain countries around the world, the term “Habana” cannot be used for non-Cuban cigars, most of the international markets will offer the same blend under the Nicaragua Connecticut name.

In any case, it features a most delicate, pristine-looking Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper with minimal veins, a beautiful, gorgeous oily sheen highlighting the light brownish glance. It’s beautifully accompanying the golden-brown cigar ring from Perdomo, proudly stating all the growing regions from Nicaragua.

The interesting element about this Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is that it has been aged for a minimum of six years, followed by further ageing and maturation in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels. The rest of the blend features Cuban seed from Nicaragua for both filler and binder.

All cigars are very well made in terms of construction, offering a solid grip with just a slight yet firm spring. Overall the Ecuadorian Connecticut makes for a most pristine visual appearance that is both inviting and invigorating.

Perdomo Habano Connecticut Review

All cigars were locally purchased and stored in my coolidor for at least three weeks. The humidity levels were perfectly conditioned using Boveda 69% packs as well as a Boveda Butler for monitoring purposes.

Pre-Lighting Experience

• Draw: Ideal
• Aromas: White pepper, cinnamon, lemon curd

The foot and wrapper reveal characterful hay and white chocolate notes, with a sprinkle of white pepper on top. Consequently, the cold draw provides a similar experience with a touch of floralness, dried grass intertwined with herbaceous notes.

A distinct whiff of cinnamon leads to spicier qualities adorned with dried basil leaves. Offering just the right amount of resistance, the cold draw is perfect right out of the gates.

1st Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Butter toffee, almond cream, basil

Undeniably, the first few puffs present me with that typical Connecticut shade bitterness, graciously combined with butter toffee and the creamier sensations you’d expect from this type of wrapper.

I sense a hint of marzipan, caramelized brioche besides a mouthcoating, luscious almond cream sensation. There’s a little bit of fennel seed, triggering an aniseed-like prickle on the tongue. The first third rounds off with woody vanilla, fatty-oily quince, and blanched almonds.

2nd Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Cookies & cream, green pepper, bitter walnut

Moving into the second third, a consistent evolution gently carries me towards deeper, a little sweeter nuances – almost like a subwoofer suddenly added a funky baseline and the DJ turned the volume up a notch.

I can’t help but smile when a distinct aroma of cookies and cream starts to emerge. It is intriguingly balanced by dried basil leaves and an overall herbaceous undertone, reminding me of the cold draw and first third.

To further elevate the aromatic caleidoscope, the nutty oiliness transforms into cream of coconut with a mouth-coating fatty sensation. This is further enhanced by the voluminous smoke production and holistic stimulation of the palate. Retrohaling re-emanates bitter walnut and white chocolate.

Final Third Smoking Experience

• Notes: Salted cashew, lemon thyme, myrrh

Once I reach the final third, a salty aspect component creeps into the overall equation. The finish is characterized by lemon thyme, conclusively accompanied by mineral notes, reminding me of salt pretzel, lovage, and ethereal myrrh.

Yes, there is a touch of sea salt and pepper spice. However, the main storyline is clearly defined and carried by a white chocolate mousse-like creaminess. The retrohale provides more of the olibanum quality, whilst the aniseed component leads to a lingering and most pleasant aftertaste.

This cigar gives off a very cool, almost ethereal smoking sensation that keeps you coming back for more. Dense smoke hoists a very compact body. Even though the smoking experience overall is somewhere in the mild-to-medium range, it features a distinct and creamy full body.

Overall Burn

• Ash Backbone: Strong
• Burn Angle: Straight
• Temperature: Warm with a prickling finish
• Draw: Excellent
• Final Smoking Time: 68 minutes

Every now and then, cigar passionados might assume Connecticut shade to be mild, bland, and under-impressive. However, Perdomo’s Habano Connecticut most certainly offers intricate complexity and a most balanced stimulation that is neither too dry, nor too sweet, nor too coarse.

A well-developed lifecycle carries the cigar into a lengthy finish with an interesting interplay of pepper, salt, creaminess and just the right amount of Jalapa-sweetness. It’s all there: gently caressing the palette, not too much of anything.

Given the strength of the cigar, this makes for a delicious everyday treat, rather elegant, refined, and very inviting. The residual scent in the room is characterized by aromas of wood sap, cookies and cream, and coconut.

Overall burn and construction are perfect. It’s a meticulously manufactured cigar that doesn’t need any touch-ups whatsoever, delighting the senses with a perfect draw. These assessments proved to be strong features of all the different vitolas I’ve tasted thus far.

The backbone of the ash is stable and firm, consisting of a very white, mineral-laden ash, looking just as inviting as the oily wrapper and elegant band.

Overall Experience

I’m intrigued by the classic look of Perdomo’s cigar rings. The Habano Connecticut features a secondary ring on the foot, additional to the main one, with the same pristine, golden look and the traditional Perdomo emblem in the center. The same goes for the boxes, which are just as elegant and classy. 

Given the price point of roughly 10 dollars, the Habano Connecticut line provides fantastic value for money. Taking the perfect construction and complex stimulation into consideration, this is a great “bang for your buck.”

Not the least because you have a versatile, swiss-army-knife-like allrounder cigar in your hands. You could enjoy it in the morning with a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea. You could enjoy this as a lunch break cigar, in the early afternoon, or as your creamy late-night cigar. 

Pairing Recommendations With A Perdomo Habano Connecticut Cigar

Grab a cookie, a gulp of whole milk, and just revel in seventh heaven – simple as that. You could also reach for green olives to enjoy with your smoke.

Since some of the tobaccos were aged in bourbon barrels, it feels like a no-brainer to pour a glass of bourbon as a pairing. A creamy, wheated bourbon, in particular, highlighted the Connecticut shade characteristics and lent a gentle, aromatic carpet for the Robusto.

This is a perfect stick to savor alongside a glass of sweet wine. 5 puttonyos Tokaj, German Riesling, or Austria Beerenauslese will all take your senses of a journey of delight.

When looking for a proper caffeine kick, I’d probably reach for an espresso macchiato or a cappuccino to underline the creamy element yet again.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, the Perdomo Habano Connecticut is a well-rounded everyday cigar for many different occasions. It is a characterful smoke, still providing the bitter-sweet, nutty sensations that you’d expect from a Connecticut shade, but with a lot more depth, body, and oomph to it.

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