Cigar Buying Guides

Best Buying Guide To Connecticut Shade Cigar Wrappers & Tobacco

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Cigar Advisor Picks: Top 10 Connecticut Shade Wrapper Cigar Recommendations

Updated January 2023

To paraphrase Dylan, ‘I started out on Connecticuts, but soon hit the harder stuff.’

They say you never forget your first. And like many others, mine was a fair and golden beauty dressed in a silky Connecticut Shade. What I didn’t know, however, was that the wrapper draping the Avo Classic No. 9—the premium that ignited a passion that sustains me 30 years later—wasn’t even grown in Connecticut. But before we get to Ecuador, let’s look back at the Connecticut River Valley and how this tobacco leaf came to be made in the shade.

Rooted in New England

Tobacco cultivation began in the Connecticut River Valley—an area stretching from just north of Hartford and into Massachusetts—in the 1600s. But it wasn’t until after the Civil War and subsequent increased competition from Indonesia—in the form of Sumatra tobacco—that the Connecticut Shade wrapper was born.

guide to Connecticut Shade cigars cigar tobacco growing under shade in Windsor, Ct

By 1900, using Sumatra seed as a base, a hybrid was successfully grown under wide bands of translucent cloth—called a tapado—to mimic the humidity and shade cover of Indonesia. The resulting Connecticut Shade leaf was up to the task and today is one of the finest wrappers around.

Today you’ll find Connecticut Shade tobacco grown in places other than Connecticut—like Ecuador, where the climate and natural cloud cover eliminate the need for cloth. The resulting wrapper leaf is thinner with a smoother texture. That’s not the only difference however, as the soil—or terroir—also plays a factor.

Connecticut Shade tobacco growing under cheesecloth or tapado in the field

But enough of the history lesson, let’s get to the good stuff—the cigars. Included below are blends spanning from old-school mellow favorites to new-school Connecticuts with a kick.

 

Montecristo Classic

Connecticut Shade cigars guide Montecristo Classic cigars at Famous Smoke Shop

If your grandfather enjoyed an occasional cigar back in the day—it was probably a Montecristo. A choice Connecticut shade wrapper tops off a blend of premium Dominican long-fillers, displaying notes of wood and earth with a crisp, light spice to finish. Try the No. 2—it’s the staple—and see for yourself why the Montecristo Classic is considered the standard bearer of Connecticut Shade wrapped cigars.

 

Macanudo Café

Connecticut Shade cigars guide Macanudo Cafe cigars at Famous Smoke Shop

If it wasn’t a Monte, it was a Mac. Macanudo are among the top selling cigars in the world and have been the first love for many enthusiasts. Dominican and Mexican long fillers give off notes of bright tobacco along with earth and nuts that’ll tantalize your palate. A great chance to experience the mellow and creamy profile enthusiasts consider the ideal in Connecticut Shade cigars.

 

Oliva Connecticut Reserve

 

oliva cigars oliva connecticut reserve cigar review

Oliva made their mark with high-octane blends, and Connecticut Reserve broke the mold. Utilizing an Ecuador Connecticut Shade wrapper over a core of bold Nicaraguan long filler, this blend strays from the herd. With a solid mild-medium body, flavors entice—including cedar and coffee with underlying spice. A mellow cigar suitable for full-bodied enthusiasts, I’d recommend trying Oliva Connecticut Reserve for a welcome change of pace.

 

Camacho Connecticut

camacho cigars guide camacho connecticut cigars review

Camacho is known for full-bodied, potent, and intense cigars. Or was. With Camacho Connecticut, the brand made serious inroads with fans of milder cigars without alienating their core base. This blend features an Ecuador Connecticut Shade wrapper over Honduran and Dominican tobaccos with flavors of cream and vanilla, with hints of coffee and citrus. Consider making space in your rotation for Camacho Connecticut – I’ll bet you find it a refreshing alternative.

 

My Father Connecticut

2020 best golf cigars for golfing My Father Connecticut cigars at Famous Smoke Shop

The black sheep of the My Father family. Draped with a flawless Ecuador Connecticut Shade wrapper hugging a blend of prime Nicaraguan long filler tobaccos, this cigar remains mellow in the face of an onslaught of flavor. Construction is perfect as it progresses through notes of baking spices, chocolate, and earth displaying complexity and balance. Add My Father Connecticut to your cigar family and see how a spice master tames the fire.

 

Southern Draw Rose of Sharon

nowsmoking Southern Draw Rose of Sharon Desert Rose Famous Exclusivo Toro cigar at Famous Smoke Shop

Not your granddaddy’s mild Connecticut. This medium bodied handmade is dressed in an Ecuador Connecticut wrapper embracing vigorous long fillers from Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Crafted to honor Sharon Holt—wife of Southern Draw’s founder, Robert Holt—this blend does its muse proud with a wonderful profile reminiscent of leather, oak, and earth. Definitely top-notch and worth a try if you’re looking to have a crack at the new school of Connecticut wrapped cigars.

 

Siboney Reserve Connecticut

Siboney Reserve Connecticut cigar review at Famous Smoke Shop

The next step forward in Connecticut wrapped cigars. Featuring a hardy blend of premium Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo tobaccos grown on Aganorsa’s farms, this blend cranks up the flavor without sacrificing the character of its wrapper. Notes of vanilla, cedar, and black pepper keep this blend entertaining from first light to finger burning nub. Bonus: this premium is priced for everyday enjoyment.

 

Perdomo Small Batch Connecticut

buy Perdomo Small Batch Connecticut cigars janine perdomo cigar smoking moms

This limited-edition beauty features only the best Nicaraguan long fillers from Estelí, Condega, and Jalapa and is dressed in an elegant Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. Smooth and balanced, you’ll be greeted with cedar, spice, and flavors of toast while the creamy texture and balance will remind you of cigars costing twice as much. It’s time you give this limited edition a spin.

 

Brick House Connecticut

2018 cigars of summer brick house connecticut cigars

This cigar features a Connecticut Shade wrapper over a Connecticut Broadleaf binder making it one of the few premium handmades with a U.S. Connecticut wrapper/binder combination. A stout core of Nicaraguan long leaf tobaccos completes the blend and delivers a familiar undercurrent of spice. Well-balanced, creamy, and toasty with additional notes of hay, coffee, cedar, and leather, this is one cigar that outperforms its price.

 

Undercrown Shade

buy undercrown shade connecticut wrapped cigars

A smooth stunner, Shade is the second Undercrown released by Drew Estate. This celebrated Connecticut comes loaded with Dominican Criollo ’98 and Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo tobaccos, a Sumatran binder, and seductive Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. The Undercrown Shade is medium bodied and loaded with flavors of toast, nuts, spice, and cream, with light sweetness present throughout. This may be Willy Herrera’s magnum opus and stands out as a Drew Estate blend worthy of prime real estate in any enthusiast’s humidor.

 

It’s time to reevaluate cigars with Connecticut Shade wrappers. No longer the domain of newbies and grandfather’s, these blends have undergone an evolution to keep pace with today’s enthusiast. With so many choices encompassing the flavor spectrum, it’s about time to reserve some room for Connecticut Shade cigars in your rotation.

Subscribe
Notify of
8 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Michael Guarino
8 years ago

Certainly the author didn’t mean to say that the wrapper “…accounts for about 7% of the entirety of every single cigar…” since this would mean very little. I believe he was looking for roughly 70% which would account for a considerable amount of the cigars strength and flavor.

Bononzo Montefornelli
1 year ago

I believe he meant by weight

Conrad Belnay
8 years ago

I really enjoy the HdeM Excallibur, but there are others not on this list that I enjoy also… Oliva Connecticut Reserve, La Perla Cobre, and 5 Vegas Gold. What others do you people enjoy?

Jose R Muñoz
8 years ago

Beautifull cigar bands, I dont have in my coleccion, its possible send me ?? [email protected] thanks

Bononzo Montefornelli
1 year ago
Reply to  Jose R Muñoz

I mailed a few to you

Doc Loughran
7 years ago

BRING THIS SAMPLER BACK!

Robert Rutherford
2 years ago

The Perdomo Reserve 10th Anniverary Champagne in the super toro size, or any size for that matter is more than worthy of this list and my go to for treating closest friends! A marvelous blend…

Robert Rutherford
2 years ago

Concur with Conrad on the Excalibur… an awesome stick and more flavor than the usual suspects! Another worthy CSG is the Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Connecticut!

Paul Lukens

Paul Lukens

Copywriter

Paul first fell in love with the leaf back in college, where he majored in Philosophy (yes, seriously). Upon graduating, Paul stared into the abyss and unemployment stared back. He responded by founding the ‘Pounding Fathers,’ a traveling Beer Pong team with the other Philosophy grad at UMass. Aspiring to subsist on more than Ramen Noodles and Natural Ice, Paul put down his ping pong balls and picked up a pen - and a cigar - and began working in the premium cigar industry in 2013.

Show all Paul Lukens' Articles
cigar advisor the difference between cigar strength and body - cover

What’s the Difference Between Cigar Strength and Body?

Reading Time: 4 minutes Understanding cigar strength and body helps you choose the perfect smoke. We’ll simplify these concepts and explain how you can better evaluate strength and body. You’ll soon be on your way to discovering the art behind choosing the ideal cigar for a truly memorable experience.

Read More
cigar advisor top new cigars-5-29-23 - cover

Top New Cigars (May 29, 2023)

Reading Time: 3 minutes The Best New Cigars are here at Famous. Check out the freshly released Romeo y Julieta House of Capulet Nicaragua, Caldwell’s One Night Stand, and a lighter from Firebird that can light your grill as easily as it lights your cigars!

Read More
cigar advisor top new cigars september 18 2023 - cover

Top New Cigars (September 18, 2023)

Reading Time: 3 minutes Want a fresh cigar that impresses? Look no further! This week on Top New Cigars, we’re reviewing the latest from Espinosa, Warped, and Black Label Trading Company. From Cuban tradition to 10-year anniversaries, it’s all covered inside!

Read More

CA Report: Top New Cigars (Apr. 1 2019)

Reading Time: 6 minutes You may not be pulling the cover off the pool just yet, but Spring has kicked into gear – and there’s no shortage of new players on the field. So let’s get down to it: Click here to see our list of seven fresh top new cigars!

Read More