Originally launched in Norway in June of 2021, the Buffalo Ten Connecticut found its way to the US later in the year. It is the 3rd blend in the company’s Buffalo TEN series which started in 2018 the brand’s debut in San Andres maduro blend.
For the Buffalo TEN Connecticut, El Artista went with a bolder blend than a normal Connecticut cigar. That blend is described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder – African Cameroon
- Filler – Dominican Republic & Nicaraguan
The amazing thing about this cigar is that it will not break your wallet with its MSRP of $5.00/cigar. That is what you can do with a vertically integrated operation including farms, processing and factory operations. The cigar is expressed in a single (6 x 50) box pressed vitola and is packaged, like others in the line, in 5-count packs.
Pre-Light Examination
The El Artista Buffalo TEN Connecticut is a silky smooth golden tan cigar that uses an oval box pressing. The wrapper is pretty much devoid of veins. It felt firmly packed but did feel a tad light in the hand. A double cap neatly finishes the cigar.
A single band adorns the cigar which uses the Buffalo TEN brand mark which is the same as the other blends in the line. The difference is that this one uses a bright green print on a white background and identifies it as the “CONNECTICUT” at the bottom of the logo.
Running the cigar along the nose, I noted a notes of fresh cut hay off the foot but did not sense much along the barrel.
Using my double blade Xikar cutter, I sliced the cap straight across the shoulder of the cigar and gave it some cold draw puffs that delivered a fine array of notes including black pepper and a slight fruity tang.
I chose to use a lit cedar spill to warm the foot and drew in the first puffs of peppery notes to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Journey starts with a rich black peppery note
- A light grey stacking dimes ash forms on top of medium thick char line
- Cedar and hay notes evolve as the pepper pulls back
- The solid ash dropped in a decent chunk revealing an excellent burn cone
- Dry fruit notes add to the profile moving into the second third along with a hint of natural tobacco sweetness
- Spice notes enter midway while the dry fruit and cedar remain
- Burn gets a bit wavy
- A pleasing cream note adds to the balance of the cigar
- The strength is sitting at a pleasant medium
- The notes in the final faded and a touch of bitterness added to the palate
- Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 25 minutes
Final Analysis
The El Artista Buffalo TEN Connecticut was certainty a pleasant Connecticut smoking experience through the first two thirds. Through that part of the journey, it offered a terrific array of balanced and pleasurable notes which I was impressed with and even more considering this is just a $5.00 cigar. Unfortunately, the flavor faded in the final and a bitter note added to the profile. I enjoyed the dry fruit and spice notes midway along with the balancing cream. The burn was fairly spot on with a solid ash. It did develop a slight wave in the burn midway down to the final but never required a touch up. Gran a five pack of these and add them to your morning rotation for sure. I rate this a 90.
Point Deductions: (-1) Wavy Burn Midway; (-1) Bitter Notes in Final; (-2) Flavor Faded in the final
