2016 Cigar of the Year Countdown: #11: Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Gran Toro by PDR Cigars

“Overall, this is a home run cigar and one of the best Broadleaf cigars to come out of the Dominican Republic in recent times.”

Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Ecuadorian Corojo / Jalapa habano (Double)
Filler: Criollo 98 Condega Nicaragua, Dominican Corojo
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic (PDR Cigars Factory)
Grand Toro: 6 × 54
Price: $17.00
Review: Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Gran Toro by PDR Cigars
Brand Appearances on Countdown: 2 (2012, 2016)

Coming in at #11 is the Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Gran Toro by PDR Cigars. This cigar was unveiled at the 2015 IPCPR Trade Show and was positioned as an ultra-premium limited production line and started to reach stores just after Thanksgiving last year. As the name indicates, the cigar is highlighted by a Connecticut Broadleaf maduro wrapper. While Abe Flores and PDR Cigars have done a lot with maduro wrappers, it had been a while since the company has released a Broadleaf cigar.

The Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Gran Toro gives PDR Cigars a spot on a Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year Countdown for the second time. This is also the first Connecticut Broadleaf cigar to make this year’s countdown.

In addition to the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, the Connecticut Valley Reserve Gran Toro utilizes a double binder of Ecuadorian Corojo and Habano from Nicaragua. The filler is mostly Nicaraguan as it features Criollo 98 from Condega. There is also a touch of Dominican Corojo in the blend.

The cigar is going to deliver a complex flavor profile of mocha, black pepper, cedar, nut and even a touch of hay. The mocha notes provide a rich combination of chocolate and coffee. The flavors start out medium to full-bodied and progress to full-bodied. This is countered by strength that is medium in the first half and medium to full in the second half.

The Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Gran Toro is a cigar that fires on all cylinders – namely it has excellent flavor, excellent construction, and plenty of complexity. It’s not only a box worthy cigar, but its one that backs up its ultra-premium status.