Ecuador Connecticut Wrapper, a cross country comparison.
BrandCountryWrap/Fill & BindPrice Paid (shipped)
Espinosa Sequel.Nicaragua. EC-CT/Nic.$.75 - $.95
GraycliffG2. Nicaragua. EC-CT/Nic & Dom.$1.45 - $1.75
John Bull. Nicaragua. EC-CT/Nic & Dom. $.85 - $1.30
5 VegasGold.Honduras.EC-CT/Hon.$1.50 - $1.85
Rocky PatelConnecticut.Honduras.EC-CT/Hon.$1.90 - $2.15
Palma Real.Dominican.EC-CT/Dom.$.50
Pinar del Rio Classico. Dominican.EC-CT/Nic & Dom.$1.45 - $1.75
I’ve tried all of the above brands multiple times. and most, in several sizes. I purchased them during an out-of-control couple of months in early 2013, from The Devil Sight (cause you can see the devil there - and he can see you!). I paid as little as .50c a stick (Palma Real Lonsdale) to $2.15 (Rocky Patel). Some were in samplers and others bundles/boxes.
Despite hailing from three countries of origin, all of these sticks sport an Ecuadorian grown, connecticut (seed) wrapper whose taste and character merge them into a single group with similar flavor and burning profiles. The differences are only profound in construction and satisfaction.
The EC-CT wrapper has a bright, citrusy flavor with a little creaminess. They’re silky and fine wrappers to the touch with a muted hay like color. I’m sure that you’ve all seen them and probably tried some on this list and are familiar, at least, with the general taste profile.
Every cigar listed is similar enough that I found myself comparing them over the past couple of years as I smoked them. I’ve graded them based on quality (foremost) and value. Ordered by overall grade, I also noted those sizes that performed better (+) or worse (-) or somewhere in between (~).
Pinar del Rio Classico B+
Overall the most consistent construction and flavor. Nice combination of citrus tang and mild creaminess and it has more body, nuance and character than the other brands. Finishes with a good nic hit that can (for me) get a little heady but it finishes well. Best with 6 months of age but doesn’t improve much from there. I’ve smoked up all of mine (perhaps 100).
Toro +, Churchill, Torpedo ~, Robusto -
GraycliffG2B
Well made, better in fact than more expensive sticks that I’ve had from this maker. Similar, but lighter body, to the Pinar but it lacks some of the underlying nuance but it finishes a little smoother. Age shows little improvement. Surprisingly good value from a generally overpriced brand.
Churchill, Toro +, Robusto ~, Torpedo -
5 VegasGoldB
Creamier than the Pinar or Graycliff, it smokes like a cross of the EC-CT profile with classic Dominican olor/piloto cubano but of course made in Honduras. Construction is good, especially the torpedo, but the double nickel is creamier and the best smoke (and the stick that I’m smoking now, as I write, would earn a A grade). Age helps this line a lot, better at a year and better still at 2 but I think any more age would soften the flavor too much. Flavors during the finish become too transparent but it too has a bit of a nic hit. Perhaps the best snork of the lot (Pinar second) and all in all a pretty good cigar.
Double Nickel +, Torpedo ~, Toro -
Espinosa SequelC+
Earns a higher grade because of the low price that I paid, so if you pay more I’d grade it a C. Surprisingly well made and consistent, smoked far better with 2 years of age than when fresh. Citrus is present along with an artificial cedar taste that becomes palatable (and less artificial) with age. Less nuance than the higher rated cigars (above) but with age they’re decent smokes if you don’t analyze them too much. I like them for yard work and appreciate having only paid $13.00 to $17.00 per bundle. The Espinosa EO-21 (same maker) similarly improved with age.
Churchill, Toro, Robusto ~ (all sizes perform about the same).
Rocky PatelConnecticutC+ to F
Brutally inconsistent. The best are decent cigars with a touch of sweetness, a citrus tang and some character but at their worst they’re poorly made (spongy), wet and bitter smokes. None finish well, especially in construction and moisture. I’ve seen consistency issues before, across all Rocky Patel lines, they look better than they feel or smoke. About 40% earn an F grade.
Toro, Churchill -
John BullC- to D-
Inconsistent but less so than the Rocky Patel Connecticut. Shape is important in this line. Avoid the larger ring gauge sticks that aren’t fully filled and prone to wrinkling. Taste lacks the boldness of the Espinosa that at least is trying to be something (even if it falls short). At their best they’re reminiscent of Dominican olor types with less cream but a citrus note. I bought these inexpensively. They didn’t improve with age and in fact smoked better fresh. Thinner ring gauge sizes finish best.
Crown Corona +, Sir Winston, Britannia ~, Bulldog, Prime Minister -
Palma Real.D-
I bought a box of 25 for $11.00 to try these so I’ve only sampled the Lonsdale (6x44). They were marked as Paradisus but are clearly not that line that sports a darker wrapper. They have a citrus snap with an edge that’s similar (and less pleasant) than the artificial cedar taste noted in the (fresh) Espinosa Sequel, but unlike that cigar, this less than desirable taste component doesn’t mitigate with age. The Palma Real tasted the same with 2 years of age as they did when received. These aren’t the worst cigars I’ve ever smoked but they’re pretty bad. Smoke ‘em at your own risk and don’t say I didn’t warn you. They avoid a failing grade because of the price that I paid.
Summary:
Tobacco grows in many countries and geographic climes. With new technology humans find the best places to grow specific leaf and Ecuador has become one of the best regions for growing not only connecticut but also for many other wrapper leaves. Their connecticut wrapper is tangy with a decided citrus note and it forms the basis for all of these (relatively) inexpensive cigars, some that are pretty good, light, morning smokes.
