Agile Cigar Reviews replace what we termed “Assessment Updates”. The concept is the same, but the name is different. Agile Cigar Reviews use a lightweight, shorter format. These will never take the place of our comprehensive reviews. They are only used on blends we have previously assessed. This might be a blend we are re-scoring or providing a score for a first time. It might be a blend we are looking at in a different size. Today we look at the A.J. Fernandez New World Connecticut in the Corona Gorda size. This is a cigar we previously did an assessment in the Toro size back in May, 2015.

Wrapper: Connecticut Shade U.S.A.
Binder: San Andres Mexico
Filler: Nicaragua, Brazil
Country of Origin: Nicaragua (Tabacalera Fernandez)
Corona Gorda: 5 1/2 x 46

The A.J. Fernandez New World Connecticut is the second blend to be released in the company’s New World line. This cigar follows up the widely successful A.J. Fernandez New World which is a box-pressed Nicaraguan puro.  The New World Connecticut feature a Connecticut Shade wrapper. While A.J. Fernandez Cigars have released Connecticut Shade cigars in the San Lotano Requiem and San Lotano Oval lines, the New World Connecticut differs in that it uses a U.S. grown Connecticut Shade wrapper as opposed to an Ecuadorian grown one.  Like the original New World, the New World Connecticut is a project done between master blender A.J. Fernandez and his father Ismael.  In addition, the New World Connecticut keeps to the pricing of the New World line – coming in around the $6.00 price point.  Today we look at this size in the Corona Gorda format.

The blend is not the A.J. Fernandez New World with a Connecticut Shade wrapper.  This is an entirely new blend. In addition to the U.S. Connecticut Shade wrapper, the blend consists of a San Andres Mexican binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and Brazil.  The cigar is offered in four sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 52), Belicoso (6 x 54), and Corona Gorda (5 1/2 x 46).

Back in May, I took a look at the Toro size.  I found the Toro one of the milder offerings in the A.J. Fernandez portfolio, but one with no shortage of flavor as it delivered notes of cream, nut, cedar spice, black pepper, toast, and a slight cedar note.  With the Corona Gorda, the flavor profile was similar, but seemed to offer a little more in citrus sweetness and cedar.  It also maintained its creamy profile throughout the smoking experience.

One thing that surprised me is I got a little more in the way of strength and body.  With the Corona Gorda, I found this to be a mild strength cigar that increased to mild to medium by the second half. As for the body, I found this to be mild to medium-bodied before progressing to medium by the second half.  The burn and draw were both excellent.  I found the burn to be lower maintenance than the Toro.

Overall, this is an excellent offering. While I still very much enjoyed the Toro size, I would put the Corona Gorda size on the same box-worthy level.

Summary

Burn: Excellent
Draw: Excellent
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Mild (1st Half), Mild to Medium (2nd Half)
Body: Mild to Medium (1st Half), Medium (2nd Half)
Finish: Excellent
Assessment: 4.0 – Box Worthy
Score: 92

References

Original Assessment:  A.J. Fernandez New World Connecticut Toro
News:A.J. Fernandez New World Connecticut Details Announced
Price: ~$6.00
Source: Cigars Provided by Manufacturer and Purchased
Stogie Geeks Podcast: Episode 147, Episode 150
Stogie Feed: AJ Fernandez New World Connecticut Corona Gorda (Paul),  A.J. Fernandez New World Connecticut Corona Gorda (Will)