Origin : Nicaragua
Format : Toro
Size : 6 x 50
Wrapper : Connecticut Shade Ecuador
Filler : Nicaragua
Binder : Nicaragua
Hand-Made
Price : ~$5 each
To meet the needs of their milder cigar fans, in 2008 the Oliva Cigar Company blended and debuted the Oliva Connecticut Reserve line. The line is available in the following sizes: Robusto 5 x 50; Toro 6 X 50; Churchill / Double Corona 7 X 50; Torpedo 6.5 X 52; Lonsdale 6.25 X 44; Double Toro 6 x 60; Petit Corona 4 x 38.
The Oliva Connecticut Reserve bore a golden brown wrapper that had a dry look and feel to it. The Connecticut wrapper also had lots of veins and seemed to be stretched around the binder and filler bunch. The perfectly round cap was extremely well constructed. Pre-light smell was a wheat and honey sweetness and the cold draw showed a perfect resistance with no defining tastes.
Pre-light score: 8 pts.
The opening of the Oliva Connecticut Reserve was nice and mild. Draw and burn were perfect with an ash that proved to be a powdery gray. Notes of wood and grain are found on the palate with absolutely no pepper or spice at all. A very smooth experience.
During the second third the cigar’s performance proved still to be outstanding. The cigar remained mild, which is not my 1st preference in cigar body, however the change of pace proved to be very much enjoyable. The tasting still showed woodiness but added a light chocolate moose that lingered in and out.
The final third of the Oliva Connecticut had a memorizing bready aroma. The tastes became a little harsh with notes of charcoal being evident in the final third. The woody notes remained through the finish and the cigar ended with a brilliant mild vanilla taste.
Smoking score: 9 pts.
Since the release of the Oliva Serie V line I must admit to having been partial to reaching for that rich full bodied experience offered in the V Series. However, now that I have been introduced to the Connecticut Reserve I certainly have a slight change of heart. If you are looking for a nice mellow, mild cigar experience that shows sweet wood and dessert characteristics this is the stick for you. Even though it is light in body the Connecticut Reserve is still a very enjoyable smoke. For the price I suggest you pick a few up.
Overall Experience score: 9 pts.
Oliva Connecticut Reserve Rating
Pre-Light: 8 pts.
Smoking: 9 pts.
Overall Exp.: 9 pts.
