Understanding Connecticut Tobacco
Brandon HayesWhen you think of a Connecticut cigar, the first thing that comes to mind is a light-colored, rather mild cigar. While this is certainly the case in some instances, a cigar that uses Connecticut Broadleaf is neither light in color nor is it a mild smoke.
The term Connecticut typically refers to a variety of tobacco whose genetics originate from the Connecticut shade tobacco farm or tobacco that is grown in the Connecticut River Valley.
While top cigar of the year lists rarely contain Connecticut cigars, they make up a very significant portion of US cigar sales and appeal to a wide audience. So let’s dig in!
Connecticut Broadleaf
Connecticut tobacco cultivation originates from the Connecticut River Valley, dating all the way back to 1640 when seeds were planted in Windsor, Connecticut.
Seeds that were brought to the United States from Cuba and other Spanish colonies over time have adapted to climate and soil. These early varieties were grown under direct sunlight which created a rougher texture and was usually used as binder and wrapper.
Descendants of these early varieties are now known as Connecticut Broadleaf tobacco. Broadleaf is prized for its dark, thick leaves that give rich tasting notes of spice and leather.
Today, tobacco farmers in this region continue the tradition with pride, growing some of the finest broadleaf in the world.
Our Recommendation: ADVentura King's Gold
ADVentura King's Gold
ADVentura King's Gold is not to be missed! ADVentura produces this cigar with a combination of the finest 5-year aged American, Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers, bound in a beautiful San Andres leaf, then finally wrapped in a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper.
The resulting cigars are then aged for an additional 4 months post-roll. The time and expense pays off, though, with royal-like tasting notes of orange, white pepper and oak mingling together to create a full-bodied and creamy cigar smoking experience.
We'd recommend savoring this cigar after dinner with your favorite old fashioned. The smoky and toasty notes in a nice bourbon really play well with the oak and white-pepper notes in the King's Gold, while the bitters are a match made in heaven with the orange notes!
Due to the quality of tobacco and aging times demanded for such a cigar named "King's Gold", this was only produced in very limited quantities. While not a true limited edition, these are definitely worth grabbing while you can in a variety of sizes.
ADVentura King's Gold Details:
- Size: Robusto 5x52, Toro 6x54, Corona 6x44
- Strength: Medium
- Tasting Notes: Orange, white pepper, oak
- Estimated Smoke Time: 45 minutes - 65 minutes
Connecticut Shade Tobacco
Around the year 1900, Connecticut shade tobacco production faced competition from Ecuador, specifically the Sumatra region. However, when Sumatran seeds were brought to Connecticut to grow, they were getting scorched by the sun and dying.
In order to use these seeds, Connecticut shade tobacco farmers pioneered a technique called shade-grown tobacco, where a cheesecloth is placed above the tobacco plant while growing to prevent direct sunlight.
The results were fantastic, and this technique quickly spread to other varietals of tobacco and other growing regions. Not only does this cheesecloth limit the sunlight that can damage fragile leaves, it also increases the temperature and humidity of the air around the tobacco plant increasing yields.
Connecticut shade tobacco is highly sought after because of its thin, supple leaves with small veins. This gives tasting notes of graham cracker, cream, and butter with unmistakable smoothness.
The distinct charm of old tobacco barns in Connecticut continues to showcase the deep-rooted legacy of this growing method of Connecticut shade tobacco.
Our Recommendation: Ashton Classic
The Ashton Classic is just that... A true classic. Known for dependable taste and construction, box after box, you can rest assured you are getting a great cigar every time. Featuring a golden Connecticut shade tobacco wrapper that surrounds Dominican binders and fillers.
The Classic is a mild to medium strength cigar that will appeal to both long-time experienced smokers and new cigar smokers alike with rich and complex flavors of leather, nuts, and a hint of fresh citrus.
Ashton Classic defines the premium Dominican taste with a smooth profile and unmatched quality and consistency. Premium Dominican binder and filler tobaccos aged from three to four years offer a rich, golden-blond Connecticut Shade tobacco wrapper leaf.
When new smokers come into our humidor, we often point them towards the Ashton Classic for all these reasons!
Ashton Classic Details:
- Size: Corona 5.5x44, Magnum 5x50, Double Magnum 6x50, Churchill 7.5x52
- Strength: Mild - Medium
- Tasting Notes: Leather, nuts, hint of fresh citrus
- Estimated Smoke Time: 45 minutes - 80 minutes
Ecuadorian Connecticut
Connecticut tobacco has created unique and interesting flavors that cigar makers all over the world seek. However, price pressures have resulted in cigar makers looking elsewhere to grow.
For instance, the highest shade-grown tobacco from Honduras typically retails for $20–$25/lb, while high-quality US Connecticut Valley grown wrappers usually sell for $45–50/lb. One popular region to grow Connecticut tobacco is Ecuador. This region is similar in climate and soil content, but has lower labor, land and shipping costs.
Also, the constant clouds and mist that are present in Ecuador eliminate the need for cheese cloth needed to grow in the United States. This tobacco resembles tobacco grown in the Connecticut valley, but the different soil mineral content and growing conditions bring out slightly different nuances in the flavor and appearance.
Ecuador has become a vital region for producing tobacco used in many top-tier cigars around the world.
Our Recommendation: ADVentura Queen's Pearls
The ADVentura Queen's Pearls is the sister cigar to the King's Gold, but this is definitely not a second-place cigar! This fantastic blend features top-shelf 5-year aged tobacco with Ecuadorian, Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers, an Ecuadorian binder and wrapped in a beautiful Connecticut shade tobacco wrapper.
The ADVentura Queen's Pearls goes through a special fermentation process to accentuate a lighter tasting profile and is then ageed for an additional 4 months after rolling. This cigar has truly royal tasting notes with flavors of vanilla, citrus fruits and black tea. While definitely a mild-medium blend, this cigar still packs a ton of unique and well balanced flavors.
Henderson Ventura manages to impress the entire cigar industry whenever he relases a new cigar, and this blend is definitely another masterpiece that goes perfectly with the fuller flavored King's Gold.
If you were to smoke 2 cigars all day, we'd recommend starting with the ADVentura Queen's Pearls first, then ending with the King's Gold.
ADVentura Queen's Pearls Details:
- Size: Corona 6x44, Robusto 4.5x50, Toro 6x54, Lancero 7x40
- Strength: Mild - Medium
- Tasting Notes: Vanilla, citrus fruits, black tea
- Estimated Smoke Time: 40 minutes - 70 minutes
Shop the King's Gold and other ADVentura Cigars
While there are some similarities when it comes to varieties of tobacco, it is a broad category in both appearance and taste. While Connecticut Valley, shade-grown tobacco is what most people think of, there is a lot more than meets the eye.
From everyday smokes to premium cigars, Connecticut tobacco continues to define and elevate the world of cigars.
Check out the video below from Phil Zanghi of Debonaire House.