” Overall, the work by (Paul) Joyal and Ocean State Cigars has been outstanding. Without a doubt, the J. Grotto Anniversary is the best line the company has produced to date.”

Coming in at #19 is the J. Grotto Anniversary by Ocean State Cigars.  The J. Grotto Anniversary is the fourth line of cigars launched by Paul Joyal’s Ocean State Cigars.  This was a project Joyal worked on with Phil Zanghi’s Debonaire Cigars.  This marks Ocean State Cigars first appearance on the Cigar of the Year Countdown. This is the first Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper on the Countdown and third maduro overall.

The J. Grotto Anniversary was significant for a few reasons:1) It is Ocean State Cigars’ first Connecticut Broadleaf; 2) It is the strongest, fullest cigar in the Ocean State Cigars portfolio to date; 3) It is the first collaboration with Phil Zanghi and Debonaire Cigars; 4) It commemorates owner Paul Joyal’s parents’ 65th wedding anniversary and Joyal and his wife’s 30th wedding anniversary.

There are four sizes of the J. Grotto Anniversary and each could easily be considered box-worthy.  While each tell their own story, there are core flavors of cocoa, espresso syrup, black pepper, and earth.  True to advertised, this delivers a full strength, full-bodied smoke.

Click here for an in-depth assessments for the P555 (Perfecto) and a pre-release of the T650 (Toro).

Blend Profile

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
Binder: Dominican Habano
Filler: Dominican and Other Central American Tobaccos
Country of Origin:: Dominican Republic

Vitolas Available

The J. Grotto Anniversary line is available in four sizes. The cigars are packaged in 18 count boxes:

L458: 4 x 58
T650: 6 x 50
P555: 5 x 55 (Perfecto)
E660: 6 x 60

Recommended Vitola: T650 (6  x 50)

Assessment: 4.0 – Box Worthy
Score: 93 


For more information on our vision and criteria for the 2014 Cigar of the Year countdown, see our December 2014 Editor’s Corner.

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