Vitola: Robusto- 4.5” x 50 ring gauge
- MSRP $6.95
- Probably gifted by Fred Rewey
Background
Fred Rewey was awfully busy in 2015. While trying to continue the growth of his already existing lines—S-307, C-276, Connecticut Fuerte, and the Classic Dominican line—he was putting together the Estelí Lot 8613, developing the “Hacking the Blend” seminar series…and creating a new line of cigars that don’t have part numbers as identifiers: Therapy.
Therapy marks the first time Rewey did a multiple versions of a cigar line…basically Mild, Medium and Full. To cut down on confusion and the need for stores to carry a seemingly unlimited number of facings, he opted for 2 sizes of each, a reasonably wallet-friendly price tag, and refillable trays that are clearly marked for the variety and size of cigars. They are all made at the A.J. Fernandez factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, which is where he’s been doing most of his work the last couple years.
Keith has already looked at Maduro and Habano versions of the Therapy, but since he’s not much of a fan of Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf, I decided to give this version a full review. There Nomad Connecticut has Nicaraguan fillers, a San Andres Mexican binder, and an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper leaf. Besides this review sample, I’ve had at least one additional Therapy Connecticut. I believe this one was given to me by Fred during the Chattanooga Tweet-Up, but I can’t remember for sure.
Prelight
The Therapy lines are definitely separated from the other Nomad lines in terms of appearance. Besides being segregated to trays (no boxes are being shipped, only bundles to go into the trays), the bands are highly simplified. While some bands (especially on bundles) just look “cheap” these look “frugal…but for a reason.” Therapy isn’t a “cheap” cigar but it does end up being the least expensive of the Nomad lines, so this frugality of appearance is actually somewhat welcome…it makes one think more time and money was spent on the blend than on the packaging. And while frugal-looking, it is still professional and clean in appearance.
The wrapper of the Therapy Connecticut was a fairly dark golden color with a very decent amount of oils to the touch. It had just a bit of darker mottling in places, but no real visible flaws. It had a rich aroma of sweet hay, while the foot had earth and cedar. The cold draw had touches of cedar and grass, along with just a tiny hit of red pepper.
Flavor
After light the Therapy Connecticut, I immediately got a dry woody flavor up front, with creamy hay and some earth coming up behind that. The finish displayed some black pepper and the retrohale featured a searing red pepper burn that almost made me forget this was going to be a “mild” bodied cigar. It really was mild, though, despite the relative amount of complexity and pepper burn. The smoke was fairly thin and fleeting in the slight breeze that was blowing and the flavor didn’t stick around for long after each puff.
As I cruised into the second third, the body had picked up a bit, easing into the mild-to-medium zone. Earthiness and more cedar notes made up the bulk of the flavor profile at this point, with the hay notes falling off a bit, but the pepper continuing to be a consistent low-level burn toward the back of my palate.
The final third of the Therapy Connecticut was characterized by more earth and pepper, along with a continued undercurrent of creamy, sweet hay notes. Toward the end it got a little hot and I had to put it out with about 3/4 of an inch left.
Construction
I got a flawless draw, very even burn line and an ash that held for almost an inch at a time.
Value
Very good cigar; very reasonable price; great value.
Conclusions
The Therapy Connecticut is a very good Nicaraguan-based Connecticut Shade cigar that delivers plenty of flavor, a moderate amount of complexity and at least starts off in the mild-bodied range. By the end it was more of a medium-bodied smoke, which could turn off people who are looking for a truly mild stick, but will make fans of the so-called “New Wave Connecticuts” very happy. Combined with a reasonable price tag, this cigar definitely provides a fine therapeutic first-smoke-of-the-day.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10
This has physically the resamblance of a “Gordo” but based on the description the overwelming nicotine rush and flavors from one don’t come. Creamy and earthy is one hell of a combination. As usual i seem to be obssesed with the Rings on the cigars is my guilty obsessions per se, and this one is not appealing at all, but i’d give any cigar a try.
I applaud the effort by Fred, giving us a solid line of cigars that keep the customer at the forefront of both design and value decisions. I look forward to smoking these blends.
The Connecticut Fuerte was one of the few connies I enjoyed. I’ll have to give this one a shot at some point.
This sounds like a cigar I will enjoy,now to find it.
I will try this cigar as I try all of Freds smokes. You know I love a good connie so I’m really excited to try this one. He told me this was the single hardest smoke he had to blend. I’m very excited to give it a shot.
Thanks for completing the Trio, Im really looking forward to trying all of these.
Just picked up more Connecticut Fuerte and thought about grabbing a few of these but felt his original Connie was probably worth more of my money