Because Connecticut Shade wrapper cigars tend to be milder in nature, I often have to look for a special one. Back in 2010, when I tried the San Lotano Connecticut, I thought it broke the mold for Connecticut Shade wrapper cigars because it brought spice and robust flavors for it. However, the San Lotano was not the first to raise the bar for Connecticut wrappers. The Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniversary Champagne was one cigar that has also done this – and truly cemented its place in history.
Perdomo’s Reserve 10th Anniversary series is actually available with three wrappers – the Connecticut Shade, Criollo, and Maduro. Each wrapper brings unique characteristics to the table and allows the cigar line to cross the spectrum of different cigar enthusiast flavor profiles.
Blend Profile
One thing that helps this Connecticut Shade wrapper stand out from the crowd is the triple fermentation process that is used on the tobacco.
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade (Triple Fermented)
Binder: Nicaraguan (Cuban seed)
Filler: Nicaraguan (Cuban seed)
Vitolas Available
This cigar is available in a wide variety of vitolas.
Churchill: 7 x 54
Epicure (Toro): 6 x 54
Figuardo: 4 3/4 x 44/56
Magnum Tubo (Toro): 6 x 50
Robusto: 5 x 54
Torpedo: 7 x 54
Puritos: 4 x 38
Preparation for the Cigar Experience
For this cigar experience. I opted for the Torpedo vitola, therefore I went with a classic straight cut through the tip of this cigar. I then toasted the foot and prepared for the cigar experience.
Flavor Profile
The Connecticut Shade wrapper produced what I expected as I got hints of cream and butter to start. I also believe the Nicaraguan tobaccos had an influence right out of the gate as I got hints of pepper and earth out of the gate. Around 20 percent into the smoke, a sweetness emerged. This sweetness is a nice cross between the butter/cream sweetness with some hints of cedar. Around 40 percent, I noticed a slight increase in the pepper. The pepper is still mild, but it does create for some nice balance with the sweetness and butter cream notes.
As the cigar progressed past the halfway point, the body of the flavor notes definitely picked up. The complexity definitely picked up as well. In addition to the butter/cream, sweetness/spice, I also detected notes of earth and grass. This is how the flavor profile will come in for the finish. The finish was a bit soft, but it was cool.
Burn and Draw
Each time I enjoy the Perdomo Champagne, this is a well made cigar. The burn of this cigar was very well and the outstanding draw reflected this. With longer Torpedos, it can be a little difficult to control the draw – but in this case it was no problem.
Strength and Body
The strength profile of this cigar is not going to overwhelm you – it is definitely solid on the mild to medium. As for body, as I mentioned the flavor notes really get some depth at the midway point. As a result, this is a true medium bodied smoke.
Final Thoughts
If I were doing a Cigar of the Year countdown a few years ago, I would have definitely had this as a finalist for Cigar of the Year. In fact, next to the Perdomo Limited Reserve Golf Edition, this is my favorite Perdomo. Definitely worth checking out.
Summary
Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: High
Strength: Mild to Medium
Body: Full
Assessment: Memorable
