Hello my BOTL/SOTL
Just posted this review on SG and thought I would share here. If you like Ecuadorian CT Shade I recommend checking them out. Review is for the short Robusto but I think I am leaning towards the Beli as my fav. I will just have to smoke more to decide. :grin: I removed some of the background info to keep it short.
Review: Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Connecticut Shade (New England Exclusive)
This week a New England Exclusive release of the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Connecticut Shade began hitting the shelves at Brick & Mortars here in the North East. I have been told this is the same blend as the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 Connecticut and is currently available in 20 count boxes of four sizes. These four sizes include the Petit Robusto (4.5 x 50), Belicoso (5.5 x 52), Toro (6 x 54), and Toro Gordo (6 x 60). Price per cigar is between $6.25 and $8.25 a stick with the Petit Robusto and Toro Gordo being at each end of the price spectrum. Since I only have an hour for lunch today, I chose the Petit Robusto.
Stats
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan Pelo de Oro
Filler: Nicaraguan (Cuban Seed)
Strength: Medium
Vitola: Petit Robusto
Size: 4.5 x 50
Age: N/A
MSRP: About $6.25
Review
The wrapper on the cigar has two large veins running down the length of it and is on the darker shade of the claro color spectrum. The wrapper has a nutty aroma to it and I get a fair amount of pepper from the foot of the cigar. The cigar is packed evenly and is adorned with the same elegant beige, blue, and gold band as the Limited Edition 2011.
After toasting the foot, I am greeted with some mild pepper up front. The pepper settles down after the first few draws and can detect a nice balance of almonds and graham crackers with a faint sweetness in the background. There is an occasional appearance of mild pepper from time to time but this subsides after the first inch or so. The flavor, body, and strength are a solid medium. The draw is absolutely perfect and the burn line is good with the salt and pepper ash holding for just about an inch before falling. Thus far, this stick is performing fantastic.
The second half brings more of the same delicious nutty, graham cracker flavors with the addition of some woodsy characteristics. The finish is creamier now and draw is still perfect with a moderate amount of smoke appearing on each pull. I fall just short of nubbing the smoke in about 50 minutes. There is some minor cracking of the wrapper but overall, the cigar performed extremely well.
Conclusion
This is a wonderful medium bodied smoke which was the perfect size and strength to enjoy at lunch or after breakfast. Well balanced and smooth but flavorful and satisfying. The price point is very reasonable and frankly its the best smoke I have had all week. I am going to not mince words, I smoked three of these in the last two days, including one of the Belicosos and I love them. In conclusion, I am going to give the New England release of the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Connecticut Shade a Stogie Geeks Rating of Box Worthy. I will be picking up a box of these most likely in more than one size.
Full Review here http://www.stogiegeeks.com/read/2012/3/30/review-jaime-garcia-reserva-especial-connecticut-shade-new-e.html
If you guys get a chance to try em, let me know what you think.
Just posted this review on SG and thought I would share here. If you like Ecuadorian CT Shade I recommend checking them out. Review is for the short Robusto but I think I am leaning towards the Beli as my fav. I will just have to smoke more to decide. :grin: I removed some of the background info to keep it short.
Review: Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Connecticut Shade (New England Exclusive)
This week a New England Exclusive release of the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Connecticut Shade began hitting the shelves at Brick & Mortars here in the North East. I have been told this is the same blend as the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Limited Edition 2011 Connecticut and is currently available in 20 count boxes of four sizes. These four sizes include the Petit Robusto (4.5 x 50), Belicoso (5.5 x 52), Toro (6 x 54), and Toro Gordo (6 x 60). Price per cigar is between $6.25 and $8.25 a stick with the Petit Robusto and Toro Gordo being at each end of the price spectrum. Since I only have an hour for lunch today, I chose the Petit Robusto.
Stats
Origin: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
Binder: Nicaraguan Pelo de Oro
Filler: Nicaraguan (Cuban Seed)
Strength: Medium
Vitola: Petit Robusto
Size: 4.5 x 50
Age: N/A
MSRP: About $6.25
Review
The wrapper on the cigar has two large veins running down the length of it and is on the darker shade of the claro color spectrum. The wrapper has a nutty aroma to it and I get a fair amount of pepper from the foot of the cigar. The cigar is packed evenly and is adorned with the same elegant beige, blue, and gold band as the Limited Edition 2011.
After toasting the foot, I am greeted with some mild pepper up front. The pepper settles down after the first few draws and can detect a nice balance of almonds and graham crackers with a faint sweetness in the background. There is an occasional appearance of mild pepper from time to time but this subsides after the first inch or so. The flavor, body, and strength are a solid medium. The draw is absolutely perfect and the burn line is good with the salt and pepper ash holding for just about an inch before falling. Thus far, this stick is performing fantastic.
The second half brings more of the same delicious nutty, graham cracker flavors with the addition of some woodsy characteristics. The finish is creamier now and draw is still perfect with a moderate amount of smoke appearing on each pull. I fall just short of nubbing the smoke in about 50 minutes. There is some minor cracking of the wrapper but overall, the cigar performed extremely well.
Conclusion
This is a wonderful medium bodied smoke which was the perfect size and strength to enjoy at lunch or after breakfast. Well balanced and smooth but flavorful and satisfying. The price point is very reasonable and frankly its the best smoke I have had all week. I am going to not mince words, I smoked three of these in the last two days, including one of the Belicosos and I love them. In conclusion, I am going to give the New England release of the Jaime Garcia Reserva Especial Connecticut Shade a Stogie Geeks Rating of Box Worthy. I will be picking up a box of these most likely in more than one size.
Full Review here http://www.stogiegeeks.com/read/2012/3/30/review-jaime-garcia-reserva-especial-connecticut-shade-new-e.html
If you guys get a chance to try em, let me know what you think.
