Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Robusto

Today, we look at the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut in the Robusto size. The Aniversario Connecticut is the third blend to be introduced under Aganorsa Leaf’s Aniversario brand. Over the years, Aganorsa Leaf has released several Connecticut Shade releases, such as New Cuba, New Cuba Superior, JFR Connecticut, and La Validación. The Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut is designed to be a more premium offering in the Aganorsa Leaf portfolio.

The story of Aganorsa Leaf’s Aniversario goes back to 2013 when the company was known as Casa Fernandez. In 2013, the company was celebrating its 35th anniversary and would release a cigar known as the Casa Fernandez Aniversario Series Boheme No. 35. The cigar featured an Aganorsa-grown Corojo wrapper. Since then, the line has gone through several iterations. It has been released in different sizes, was rebranded as the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario, and became a regular production. In addition, other blends have been added. 2020 saw the first Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Maduro, and in 2023, the Aniversario Connecticut was added. As the name indicates, this introduces an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade offering to the Aniversario line.

Let’s break down theAniversario Connecticut Robusto and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Robusto – Cigar Review

SPECIFICATIONS

Blend and Origin

In addition to the Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, the remainder of the Aniversario Connecticut blend includes tobaccos grown on the Aganorsa farms in Nicaragua. Production comes from Aganorsa’s factory in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan (Aganorsa)
Filler: Nicaraguan (Aganorsa)
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Agricola Ganadera Norteña S.A.

Vitolas Offered

The Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut is a regular production offering in two box-pressed sizes, each presented in ten-count boxes.

Robusto: 5 x 54
Gran Toro: 6 1/4 x 52

Appearance

The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper of the Aniversario Connecticut Robusto had a light brown, almost butterscotch-like color. The surface of the wrapper did not have much oil on it. There were some thin visible veins, and no visible seams were very noticeable. The box press had a soft Cuban press style to it. This style has a slight amount of rounding on the edges of this cigar.

Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Robusto – tissue sleeve removed

PERFORMANCE

Pre-Light Draw (*)

After removing the tissue sleeve that covered a good portion of the Aniversario Connecticut Robusto, a straight cut was used to remove the cap. From that point, it was time for the pre-light draw experience. The cold draw delivered notes of bread, hay, and a slight citrus sweetness. Overall, I found the flavors to be muted. This wasn’t a pre-light draw that had me doing handstands. Since the pre-light draw is not factored into the numeric score or value rating, there was no loss of points here. At this point, it was time to toast up the footer of the Aniversario Connecticut Robusto and move on to the smoking phase.

Tasting Notes

Once lit, the Aniversario Connecticut Robusto didn’t have the muted flavors like the pre-light draw. To start, there were notes of bread, nut, and lemon (the citrus was better defined here). Early on, the lemon and bread notes became primary. The nut notes settled in the background, along with some notes of cedar. There was also an additional layer of cedar on the retro-hale.

The bread and lemon notes remained primary during the second third of the Aniversario Connecticut Robusto. Along with some citrus sweetness, I also picked up a lemon rind that was not at the forefront. The cedar remained in the background, but the ce. During this phase, black pepper quickly emerged on the tongue and retro-hale. The bread notes became the sole primary note just past the midway point. The lemon receded into the background with the cedar and pepper notes. By this point, the nut notes had dissipated.

By the start of the final third, the bread notes were primary. The cedar and pepper notes had become the next most prominent notes. The lemon notes remained in the more distant background. This is the way the Anivesario Connecticut Robusto came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn

The Anivesario Connecticut Robusto did require multiple touch-ups to maintain a straight burn path. While the touch-ups kept the burn path straight, more touch-ups were needed than I preferred. The burn line seemed prone to jaggedness. The resulting ash was silver-gray. This was a slightly loose ash prone to some minor flaking. As for the burn rate and burn temperature, both were ideal.

Burn of the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Robusto

Draw

The Anivesario Connecticut Robusto’s draw was open. I usually like a draw with a little more resistance. While the draw was open, there were no adverse effects other than my preference.

Strength and Body

In terms of strength, the Aniversario Connecticut Robusto started out on the high end of mild to medium. The strength gradually increased, and by the second third, the cigar was in medium strength territory. While the strength continued to grow slowly, it never got out of the medium range of the spectrum.

The flavors followed a similar pattern, starting out medium-bodied. The intensity gradually increased. By the end of the cigar, the flavors closed in on medium to full but didn’t quite get there.

The body maintained an edge throughout the smoking experience regarding strength versus body.

BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)

While I have been critical of the frequency of the packaging changes I have seen with Aganorsa Leaf, I have to say the changes have been for the better. I like how Aganorsa has moved forward from the old Casa Fernandez Aniversario Corojo packaging to today’s Aganorsa Aniversario line. In terms of the Aniversario Connecticut, they have done a great job. I like the use of a blue band against the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. I also like the use of blue in the box.

Packaging of the Aganorsa Leaf Aniversario Connecticut Robusto (Photo Credit: Aganorsa Leaf)

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

Final Thoughts

In terms of flavor, the Aniversario Connecticut Robusto started out with some very nice flavors. By the second third, the flavors regressed to average and did not do much to inspire me. The original Aniversario Corojo remains one of the great lines in the industry. The Aniversaio Corojo has landed four different cigars on a Cigar Coop Countdown. When it comes to the Maduro and the Connecticut, they are not in the same league as the Corojo. I’m still inclined to try the Gran Toro size of the Aniversario Connecticut. As for the Robusto, my recommendation is to sample it first before purchasing and see if it’s something in your wheelhouse.

Summary

Key Flavors: Bread, Lemon, Nut, Cedar, Pepper
Burn: Very Good
Draw: Very Good
Complexity: Medium
Strength: Mild to Medium (1st 1/3), Medium (Remainder)
Body: Medium
Finish: Excellent