At this years IPCPR, I had the pleasure to re-connect with Karen Berger and
Benigno Rosario of Don Kiki Cigars. The company was showcasing their latest extension to the renowned “K” by Karen Berger cigar. This time it is was a beautiful box pressed Connecticut vitola that completes the full range of flavor profiles for this “K” portfolio. The original “K” by Karen Berger Habano ranked number 8 in our 2016, top 25 list.
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut 
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut is a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder – Nicaraguan
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut is available in 3 vitolas and comes packaged in 10-count boxes:
- Robusto (5 x 52) MSRP $9.50
- Toro (6 x 52) MSRP $10.00
- Salomon (5 x 52/58) MSRP $11.00
For this review, I sampled 2 “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut Toros which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut is a beautiful box press cigar with crisp edges and square in form. It is silky smooth to the touch with practically no veins. It is solid to the touch and is neatly finished with a triple cap to complete the presentation.
There are two bands on this cigar. The first is the standard “K” by Karen Berger logo and the second band directly below identifies it as the Connecticut blend using a blue band with yellow lettering.
The pre-light aromas highlight the well fermented wrapper and aged fillers used in this cigar with pungent fermented leaf notes on the wrapper and a mild fruit note off the foot.
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut 
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut
With the pre-light aromas being alluring, it was time to slice the cap and take some cold draw puffs. The draw is nicely restricted and offered enticing notes of pepper and earth.
I used the soft flame of a lit cedar spill to warm the foot and take in the first puffs of creamy smoke that had early notes of mild black pepper and a tangy fruit.
Cigar Review Notes
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut 
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut 
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut 
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut 
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut 
The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut
- Smoke is creamy and full in volume right off the initial light
- Mild pepper and notes of tangy fruit grace the palate
- Solid white ash develops on a sharp thin char line
- Sweetness enters after an inch plus of burn
- Butter cream and chocolate notes enter
- Once the ash fell, it revealed a perfectly formed and centered burn cone
- Tangy fruit continues in the forefront of the profile
- Strength moves up a notch
- Gentle spice notes coats the palate
- Classic Connecticut bitterness enters end of second third
- Spice grows into final third with a lingering nut component
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 15 minutes
Overall, we score the The “K” by Karen Berger Connecticut a solid 96 with no issues in the burn and construction while delivering palate pleasing flavors including spice, chocolate, butter, and fruit. There was a characteristic Connecticut bitterness near the end of the second third but that lasted for a short period leading to additional spice and nut components. If you are fan of Connecticut cigars, this is certainly one I recommend picking up a fiver to add to your rotation, I took it down to the nub.
