Paulie’s Quick Ash Cigar Review: The Oscar Connecticut
And The Oscar Goes To…
Oscar Valladares's cigar journey began when he took a job guiding Rocky Patel and guests around Honduras. This led to him spending nearly a decade absorbing cigar-making from seed to shelf before striking out on his own. His breakthrough came when a retailer championed his unique leaf-wrapped creations, insisting on including Oscar's name on the "Leaf & Bean by Oscar" house brand despite his reluctance to take credit. From these modest beginnings, Oscar transformed his small operation into an extensive tobacco enterprise with sprawling Honduran farmlands, all while maintaining the genuine enthusiasm and humility that have made him a refreshing presence in the premium cigar industry.
The Oscar Connecticut represents the newest extension of Oscar Valladares' signature line, debuting at the PCA 2023 trade show to join the existing The Oscar Habano and The Oscar Maduro offerings.
The Oscar Connecticut Quick Ash Video Cigar Review
The Specs
Factory: Oscar Valladeres Tobacco & Co., Honduras
Size: 5” x 50 Robusto
Strength: Mild-Medium
Wrapper: Honduras Connecticut-Seed
Binder: Honduras
Filler: Honduras & Nicaragua
Presentation: 11-count box
Behind the Blend
Even though Honduran Connecticut wrappers are known for their sturdiness, allowing for longer fermentation and a more robust flavor profile, it’s seldom used in premium cigars. In fact, when I tried thinking of other cigars using this wrapper, the only blends coming to mind were Camacho Connecticut, Baccarat, and Alec Bradley American Classic (I’m sure I’m omitting some).
With a blend bill of tobaccos from Honduras and Nicaragua, The Oscar Connecticut challenges expectations and defies convention. Starting off with its uncommon wrapper varietal—a Honduran Connecticut-Shade—over a Honduran binder and long fillers from Honduras and Nicaragua, this blend is bound to be lit.
The Cheat Sheet
Now, onto Quick Ash Review’s signature breakdown – Highs, Lows, and Whoa's – where I distill The Oscar Connecticut’s experience down to its defining moments:
- High: Defies expectations
- Low: The candela leaf (used in place of cellophane) was brittle and messy to remove
- Whoa: Could taste the influence of Honduras
The Oscar Connecticut takes you on a ride that begins with pepper and subtle creaminess. As the smoke progresses, creaminess becomes more prominent and takes center stage, complemented by pepper riding shotgun. The profile grows to include an interesting sweetness that briefly evokes Christmas mints and spices before settling back into familiar pepper-led notes.
Brief hints of toast and wood appear but don't linger for too long. Toward the end, the profile develops some bite while maintaining its core flavor characteristics. The Oscar Connecticut delivers medium flavor and body throughout with mild strength and strikes a balance between traditional Connecticut-wrapper expectations while offering a little something extra by way of its Honduran-forward blend.
The Last Word
In a premium cigar market saturated with Connecticut wrapped choices, this blend forges its own identity. It defies any easy characterization but rather straddles the fence between old-school traditions and new-school innovation.
But even more so, The Oscar Connecticut is one of those blue moon blends (as in, uncommon) with wide appeal. In other words, this cigar is suitable for newcomers, full-bodied fanatics, and anyone in-between.
Pro Tip: Trust me on this. Try The Oscar Connecticut along with cold brew coffee. And if you want to kick it up a little, add a splash of Amaretto in the coffee. You’re welcome.