Back in late 2022, GTO Dominican Cigars released a new line of cigars known as the 33 Oaks. The new line is offered in three blends, a Connecticut, a Corojo and a Maduro. The blends are each expressed in a two vitolas that are packaged in 24-count boxes. The 33 Oaks are limited in production to just 2,000 boxes of each blend and vitola.
- Figurado (6 1/2 x 54) – MSRP $11.00
- Corona Gorda (6 x 47) – MSRP $15.00
For this review I sampled the GTO Dominican Cigars 33 Oaks Connecticut Corona Gorda which I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
The blend is described as:
- Wrapper: USA Connecticut
- Binder: Dominican grown Cuban seed
- Filler: Proprietary Dominican tobacco
Company Owner, Oscar Rodriguez stated:
“The 33 Oaks blends use a proprietary Dominican tobacco grown on his farm. The cigars undergo a total of 12 years of aging, two of which happen in aged bourbon oak barrels. The Figurado is dedicated to the city of Atlanta where I became inspired by the many oaks and discovered the essence of the blend, walking the Beltline on Sundays. The cigars are full-bodied smokes that will inspire amazing journeys, and really tell a story and have an incredible flavor like no other.”
Pre-Light Examination
Examining the GTO Dominican Cigars 33 Oaks Connecticut Corona Gorda you quickly notice the oily, medium tan Connecticut wrapper that is slightly and exhibits few veins. The cigar feels and looks firmly bunched and rolled with now soft spots from head to foot. A well applied flat head cap finishes the construction.
Two bands adorn the 33 Oaks. The primary band is a bold design presenting an orange oak leaf in the center with the number “33” on it and “GTO” om top and “OAKS” on the bottom. Below the leaf the declaration “2 Yr Oak Barrel Aged 10 Yr aged” is printed. A white satin footer band is applied signifying this as the Connecticut variety.
Running the cigar along the nose I did not get much if any aroma along the barrel but the foot greeted the nose with notes of floral and earthiness.
I used my CigarMedics Baller cutter to open the cap perfectly and proceed to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to be spot on with restriction and graced the palate with earthiness and black pepper. Not exactly what I was expecting from a Connecticut wrapped cigar, but I will take it!
Using a lit cedar spill, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of peppery and fruity smoke to start the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Introductory profile offers mild pepper and a touch of fruitiness
- Light grey ash forms on top of a thin fairly even char line
- Rich floral aromas waft off the foot
- As it burns through the first inch plus a burnt honey note breaks through
- Ash fell revealing a decent burn cone
- Early fruit notes morph into a drier fruit sensation
- Mild jag forms moving into an off burn forms that needed a touch-up to set things right
- Subtle cinnamon notes enter the profile midway through
- Dry leather adds a nice dimension
- Fruit notes intensify in the final
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 35 minutes
Final Analysis
The initial profile of the GTO Dominican Cigars 33 Oaks Connecticut Corona Gorda presents a subtle yet delightful hint of pepper, accompanied by a touch of luscious fruitiness. As the cigar progresses, an exquisite bouquet of rich floral aromas permeates the air, enhancing the sensory experience. After burning through the first inch, a distinct and captivating burnt honey note emerges, lending an intriguing depth to the flavor profile. The initially mild fruit notes evolve into a drier fruit sensation that leaves a lasting impression on the palate. Midway through the journey, subtle hints of cinnamon emerge, further enhancing the complexity and nuance of the cigar’s character. Towards the latter stages, a dry leather essence intermingles with the existing flavors, contributing an enjoyable dimension to the overall taste. Finally, as the cigar nears its end, the fruit notes intensify, reaching a crescendo of deliciousness that lingers on the taste buds. It did however exhibit a minor burn issue with an off burn that required a mild touchup but otherwise the burn was fine. This is worth a fiver for sure and I rate it a 92.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Jag in burn; (-1) Off Burn; (-1) Touch Up Required
Bonus Points: (+1) Pleasantly nuanced and balanced in flavors and aromas
