Cigar Review: Crux du Connoisseur

Cigar: Crux du Connoisseur
Size: 7.5 x 38 (No. 1)
Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano (Jalapa)
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Honduras
Price: $49.95 per five pack from Small Batch Cigar
Used promo code ‘leafenthusiast’ for a small discount

I think if you’ve read anything from me in the last few years, you’ll know by now that I’ve covered Crux Cigar extensively. While looking over their website one day during this year’s IPCPR and enjoying the upcoming ‘Dark’ variants, I noticed one cigar that I was not familiar with at all. I can say that the du Connoisseur is not one I would right away reach for because of the vitola, but the company description pulled me in:

Bold and with an intense flavor, yet smooth to your palate, the Crux du Connoisseur has been designed to pair well with robust coffees and the finest of spirits.

“…designed to pair well with robust coffees and the finest of spirits”…ok, if I must.

No physical problems were encountered with the appearance or the build of the Crux du Connoisseur that I nominated for review. The gold-trimmed band, coupled with the thin and ‘lanky’ length of the cigar, gives the du Connoisseur a touch of elegance. I got leather notes on the pre-light aromas and dried fruit on the cold draw. After the cut and light, I found a balanced draw with opening notes of spice and something akin to straw. The spice, while not overpowering, found its way directly in the middle of my mouth, from the roof down the middle of my tongue. Crux would characterize the cigar within the medium-to-full bodied range of strength and I would agree. 11 minutes in, the spicy notes began mellowing and soon after left me with new flavors of leather and wood to accompany the ‘straw’ notes. 15 to 20 minutes after that, peppery notes began creeping into the pallete. By this time, I was into the last third to quarter of the cigar. It’s also at this point where the entire strength and flavors of the cigar became more amplified, pushing into the full bodied range. Total smoking time of the Crux du Connoisseur was 1:45.

No problems were encountered in the smoking of the Crux du Connoisseur. It burned even, never went out and was a pleasure to smoke.

By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10

To recap the Crux du Connoisseur:

• Another winner for Crux Cigars. I loved the depth of flavors and the balance of strength.
• I think I would pass on handing this one out to brand new cigar smokers but those who prefer milder smokes may take a liking to this as it’s not overbearing.
• Even without the discount I used, at around $10.00, I would say that’s a more than fair price point.
• As of right now, this is my second favorite from Crux, only behind the Bull & Bear. And as my favorite local shop is now carrying Crux Cigars, I will more than likely be picking more up in the very near future.

Thank you very much for reading and I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.