Smoked: A Flores Connecticut Valley Reserve Roja Robusto

Smoked at: West Chester, Ohio

A Flores Connecticut Valley Reserve Roja Robusto is the “red” or Connecticut Broadleaf version of Abe Flores’ Connecticut Valley Reserve line. It’s made with a Nicaraguan binder, Nicaraguan and Dominican corojo and criollo filler and covered in the aforementioned Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The band is large, flowery and colorful – a bit gawdy. The midpoint to the foot includes a copper-colored sleeve.

These cigars were originally released 10 years ago by PDR as Flores y Rodriguez. I recall enjoying one of those a decade agp. I believe Flores is using an updated blend. So, let’s see what he’s cooked up in the lab.

Cedar, earth, hay, leather, nuts, dark roast coffee/espresso, dark chocolate, and an array of kitchen cabinet spice – most notably cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s full bodied, medium-full strength.

Construction issues: tight draw, lacking in smoke output, flaky ash that dropped several times and a wavy burn line.

The flavors were fine. The construction problems hindered the enjoyment of the smoke.