I recently met Justin Chaffiot, owner of the Chaffiot Collection Cigar Company at a Sip and Smoke event at 28 North Gastropub in Viera, Florida. Justin’s Company is relatively and he is on a mission to raise money to fight human trafficking, something you don’t hear much about from the cigar industry. That alone makes purchasing his craft something special.
Justin notes on his website:
“Chaffiot Collection was created out of the idea that we can use something we enjoy to combat something we hate. We exist to deliver premium handmade cigars to aficionados while providing awareness and advocacy to combat human trafficking. Historically, cigars have been associated with celebrations. At Chaffiot Collection, we choose to celebrate the restoration of lives once abducted, abused, and neglected by trafficking. We invite you to help save lives by enjoying fine cigars.
Because life is worth celebrating…“
At the event I picked up a sampler of his cigars and promised I would review them on Stogie Press. One of those is the subject of today’s review. The Original Connecticut gordo. Now I will say, I am not a fan of huge ring gauge cigars due to the burn issues they can have if not rolled properly, but Justin assured me this would change my view. So let’s get into the Chaffiot Collection Original Connecticut gordo.
The blend of this cigar is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut (grown in Nicaragua)
- Binder – Sumatra
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The Chaffiot Collection Original Connecticut is expressed in two vitolas and come packaged in 10 and 20-count boxes. You can also order 5 packs.
- Robusto (5×52) MSRP $5.00
- Gordo (6×60) MSRP $6.50
The Chaffiot Collection Original Connecticut is manufactured by Plasencia Cigars and was blended in collaboration with David Blanco.
For this review I sampled the gordo vitola, which I purchased from Justin at the event.
Pre-Light Examination
The Chaffiot Collection Original Connecticut is a beautifully constructed, velvety smooth cigar that is light tan in color with no blemishes and has minimal veins. It is finished with a simple cap. A little pinch test along the barrel shows no soft spots.
The cigar is adorned with a single band using a black, gold, and red motif. The name “Chaffiot” is proudly displayed in gold on a red background in the center along with the word “Collection” printed below. The top of the band has a gold lion wearing a crown and two keys protruding off the bottom. On the bottom of the band is the phrase “Est. 2017” – the year the company was founded. There is also a golden scroll on a red background on the left and right side of the band.
The sniff test offered sweet and pungent notes along the barrel and bright sweet hay off the foot.
I sliced the cap with a straight cut and proceeded with some cold draw puffs that offered notes of pepper and earth with a mild sweetness all through a decent draw.
Using my double flame torch, I warmed the foot gently, bringing it to an even glow and took in the first puffs of fruit and peppery notes. Let’s burn this one to ash and see how this gordo preforms.
Cigar Review Notes
- Fruit and pepper notes to start
- Herbal notes end of first third
- White ash on thin char line
- Excellent burn cone as the ash falls
- Pleasantly mild smoke so far
- Ash gets a tad flaky
- Sweet Buttery notes moving into second third
- Consistent through second third
- Mild smooth smoke
- Minor wave in burn
- Slight bitterness enters in final third
- Mild spice completes the journey
- Mild Strength
- Total Smoking time was 1 hour and 40 minutes
Overall, the Chaffiot Collection Original Connecticut was a well performing gordo vitola, in fact it was one the best 6 x 60 cigars I have smoked in a while. Though mild in body and not overly complex, it did offer some pleasant flavors like butter, sweetness, spice, and herbal notes. There was a mild bitterness in the final third. This is one I would find enjoyable as the first cigar of the day paired with a sweet cup of coffee. If you like mild cigars this is one you should order a five pack of to add to your morning rotation. I rate this a solid 93.
You can order these directly from the company through the online order page on their website.
Point Deductions: (-1) Not Complex; (-1) Bitter note in the final; (-1) Flaky Ash
