Vitola: Robusto- 5” x 52 ring gauge
- MSRP ~$6.75
- Samples provided by the company
Background
I was contacted by Gran Habano a few weeks ago asking if I’d like to receive review samples. I have to admit to not being the biggest GH fan in the past, but I figured I would like to try some of their newer blends…at least to give them a fair chance. Along with those newer blends (which I will get to in the next few weeks), they sent me a couple samples of one of the granddaddies of Connecticut Shade cigars…The Gran Habano Connecticut #1.
I call it that because this cigar has been around seemingly longer than I’ve been smoking. I remember getting them in sampler packs from online retailers back in the early part of this century and enjoying them. But I hadn’t seen them lately…primarily because not many brick-and-mortars carry these old GH lines…and when they would have to be selling at near MSRP (shown above) rather than the $4 or so that you can normally score these cigars for at an online vendor…well, I can’t blame B&Ms for ignoring these.
Still…I was intrigued at being reacquainted with this old budget blend. Currently the Connecticut #1 is available in 11 sizes, from a 40 ring gauge Lancero to a 70 ring “Grandioso.” It’s made using Nicaraguan filler and binder, along with an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper.
Gran Habano sent me two samples of the Connecticut #1; this is the second one I smoked. It also should be noted that Gran Habano is now a sponsor of Leaf Enthusiast; it is my intention that the sponsorship will not affect the score in any way.
Prelight
I’m sort of glad to see the old Gran Habano band hasn’t gone away. Yes, it’s a definite throwback look at this point, but I’m not sure that’s a bad thing with this brand. People that started smoking these in the late ‘90s or early 2000s will look on these classic bands with a happy familiarity, I think. The secondary band is green and has “Connecticut #1” in gold foil. Actually, there’s a fair amount of gold foil on both bands; combined with the glossy paper stock, it makes these things hard to photograph.
The wrapper was a slightly dusky golden color with no real flaws visible, despite the bargain pricing. The aroma from it was clean and grassy, with just a hint of sweetness in the mix. The foot of the cigar had earth and coffee notes, with lesser grassy and woody aromas.
The cold draw was very good and had flavors of grass, cedar and a touch of molasses.
Flavor
Initial light up on the Gran Habano Connecticut #1 was a little underwhelming. Both samples started off with a bit of an off note that was almost chemical in nature. There was a mild sweetness to the proceedings, along with wood and grass flavor, and the slightest bit of pepper spice on the palate. Notes of pepper came through a little more prominently on the nose. As I went through the first third, I got a little lemony citrus note and a slight increase in pepper.
The second third of the GH Connecticut #1 saw a slight uptick in body from a straight mild, to a more mild-to-medium place. The citrus and grassy notes were most prominent, with slight earth and pepper coming in behind.
In the last third, cedar flavor made a comeback, mixing with the grassy notes. Citrus and sweetness dropped significantly in the flavor profile.
Construction
I had a straight-enough burn line, solid ash and good draw throughout.
Value
Don’t pay attention to the MSRP…you can always get these cheaper…and for what is essentially the price of a Curly Head, these are a better cigar.
Conclusions
The Gran Habano Connecticut #1 is an old-school cigar…no frills, no surprises…but it’s a good cigar for an excellent price. Like I noted above, you probably won’t see these much in brick-and-mortar stores…and if I did, I probably wouldn’t pay $6 or $7 for one…there are just too many better options in that price range. But if you want a mild Nicaraguan cigar that you can get into for $4-5 apiece (if you’re willing to buy a box), you should give this a try. At that price it’s a steal, slotting just above the price of mixed-filler bundles, while providing a better experience.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 3/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 8/10
