2012 by Oscar Rebirth Connecticut Cigar Review – Get Your Day Started

Back in July of 2017 we reviewed one of the three Oscar Valladares “2012 Rebirth Edition Blends” that were introduced at the 2017 IPCPR. That review was of the 2012 Maduro, and not only was it a fine cigar it also received  an Honorable Mention in this year’s top 25 Boutique Cigar  list on Stogie Press. As you would have read in that review, Oscar reached into the vault and introduced what he calls the 2012 by Oscar Rebirth Edition – a celebration of 5 years in the business. There are three different blends being offered in this line, Connecticut, Corojo, and Maduro.

Today I present a review of the 2012 by Oscar Rebirth Connecticut one of the three in the line.

The blend of this blonde is described as:

• Wrapper – Connecticut Seed
• Binder – Honduran
• Filler– Honduran and Nicaraguan

They are available in 4 box pressed vitolas and packaged in brightly colored 20-count boxes:

• Short Robusto – 4 x 52 MSRP $7.50
• Toro – 6 x 52 MSRP $8,50
• Torpedo – 6.5 x 52 MSRP $8.75
• Sixty – 6 x 60 MSRP $9.50

I have seen these  2012 by Oscar Rebirth cigars for sale on the Smoke Inn website with a 10% discount.

For this review I sampled the torpedo vitola which I received from Oscar at the IPCPR for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.

Pre-Light Examination

The 2012 by Oscar Rebirth Connecticut is a stunning beautiful boxed pressed torpedo with a silky smooth,medium tan wrapper. there are a few small bumps as you run your finger along the barrel. The edges of the cigar crisp and the cap is perfectly finished. The cigar feels good in the hand with a solid packing and decent weight.

The band on is bright yellow with black print and gold accents. The year 2012 is boldly noted as it is on each blend and the words “By Oscar” is printed on the bottom. Each of the bands on the line are similar with the background color changed to reflect the blend. 

Running it along the nose, the 2012 by Oscar Rebirth Connecticut had a pleasant hay aroma off the foot but offered little along the barrel.

I used my Zikar double blade cutter to cut the cap to provide about a 1/4 inch opening. The cut seemed right as it had a decent restriction and the cold puffs offered delicious notes of white pepper and sweet butter.

Having enjoyed the Maduro I was looking forward to firing the Connecticut up but I rolled it about savoring the pre-light notes a little more.

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Cigar Review Notes

• Early pepper on the nose and throat
• There is fruit note aching to push through
• Citrus fruit enters more clearly after inch of burn
• Ash is solid and has a nice  of salt and pepper color to it
• Slight spring to the barrel
• Butter cream sweetness enters by the end of the first third
• Cedar notes follow
• Burn is pristine
• Ash fell after two inches revealing a pointed and well centered burn cone
• It is a fine crisp morning today – perfect for smoking
• Smoke is mild
• Spice enters mid second third
• Nut aroma
• Pepper hits the tip of the tongue by the end of second third
• The pepper starts to grace the sides of the palate – it is gentle but growing
• Finished with peppery spice and nut
• Strength was Mild to Medium
• Total Smoking Time was right around one hour to the nub

Overall, the 2012 by Oscar Rebirth Connecticut was a pleasantly mild to medium cigar that delivered a delicious smoking experience. Like many other new generation Connecticut cigars, the blend in this cigar found a way to cut any classic bitterness and instead brought notes of pepper, nut, cedar, butter cream, cedar, and even sweetness. This is a cigar that is perfect for the start of your day as it was mine. Pair this with you morning cup of Joe.