Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Filler: Nicaraguan Ligero, Peruvian
Vitola: No. 1 (4 x 50)
Strength: Mild-Medium
Purchase Link: Alfonso Añejos
ALFONSO AÑEJOS REVIEW – DOM
Summary: Opting for a punch, I pick up gingerbread on the cold draw. The first few puffs remind me of aromatic pipe tobacco and get me excited for the rest of this quickie. Between the sweetness on the palate and a pleasantly peppery spice on the retro hale, I’m calling this a mustache cigar because it balances mouth and nose stimulation perfectly (a MUST ASH [ride on while I write on]). A bouquet of floral notes takes the center spot on the flavor table.
After finding myself entrenched in a deep conversation about society’s issues, I wake from the lapse to discover only a nub in my hand. (Reviewing at the lounge can be dangerous that way.) The smoke remains cool while I burn my fingertips to get buttered toast and milk chocolate at the finish. Watch out; like Helen of Troy, this cigar might be good enough to start a revolution.
The use of brackets outside of algebra: semi-successful
World problems solved: 0
Cigars nubbed: 1
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Six packs
Pairing Suggestion: Medium roast coffee
Perceived Strength: Mild+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
ALFONSO AÑEJOS REVIEW – RICH
Summary: This cigar brought notes of cedar, peanuts, light roast coffee, black pepper, clove, caramel, and black tea.
Construction-wise, it gave me no problems. It was an effortless smoking experience after lighting. The ash was super tight.
It was a well-made cigar, and if those are flavors you're into then give it a try. The flavor profile wasn't my cup of tea.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Herbal teas with a cedar stir stick
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee
Perceived Strength: Mild+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Single
ALFONSO AÑEJOS REVIEW – BEN
Summary: What a nice white pepper and hay combination. Leather to compliment a walnut and woodsy note on the retro. Ooooh it starts to heat up in the second half! The leather is leathering with some sweet cream and cinnamon. What’s great is, for a Connecticut, it had a smooth retro and didn’t dry my palate out; surprisingly flavorful throughout. Good to note that, even though it was a shorty it had a lengthy smoke time. I could go for another…
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Possibly turning this into an afternoon
Pairing Suggestion: Carajillo
Perceived Strength: Medium
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
ALFONSO AÑEJOS REVIEW – TED
Summary: If you live in Montana, Wisconsin or Nova Scotia, this is the perfect size for a winter cigar.
Starting out with smooth flavors of leather, caramel, and coffee along with a sharp finish of lemongrass. The retro hale is heavy with leather and lemon with a decent dose of white pepper heat. This cigar is building a pretty respectable, solid ash headed into the center part of the smoke.
Middle section is still smooth and features coffee with cream, mild wood notes, leather, and a soft citrus finish. There are moments with a caramel hint as well but fleeting at best. Perfect performance score thus far. Great draw, burn and smoke production.
Ok, the finale. The profile is very familiar, front to back. Towards the end I’m tasting some added nuttiness to the mixture and a predictable uptick in tobacco and wood notes. Put this one in your Connie rotation.
If You Like That, You Might Like This: Short smokes… without sacrificing flavor
Pairing Suggestion: Coffee and cream
Perceived Strength: Mild+
Purchase Recommendation to a Friend: Box
Participants in this blind review were completely unaware of the cigar they were evaluating until all submissions were received and processed. Each participant was asked to answer a summary paragraph, an if/than statement, a pairing suggestion, and a purchase suggestion. Cigars were provided by Small Batch with only the expectations of candid responses. All pictures, information, and formatting were completed by a Coordinator outside of the reviewing process.
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