Today I would like to offer my review of the second of three reviews of JM Patriarch cigars. This time I take a gander at the JM Patriarch Connecticut Toro. Last month we reviewed the Maduro blend.
The cigar is available in a single (6 x 52) toro vitola and has an MSRP of $13.00/cigar. They come packaged in 3, 5, and 10 packs and you can also purchase them in singles if you wish. The company has an online shop where you can buy these.
The company describes the blend as:
- Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
- Binder: Corojo Estelí
- Filler: Condega, Ometepe, and Estelí
For this review I sampled one of the JM Patriarch Connecticut Toros that I received from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The JM Patriarch Connecticut is a beautifully constructed cigar with its golden tan silky-smooth wrapper that exhibits a decent sheen. The wrapper has minimal veins, and the cigar is nicely packed from head to foot. I noticed zero soft spots in the bunching and roll. A well applied triple cap completes the construction.
Three bands adorn the cigar. The primary band uses a white, gold and black motif with the company logo (two overlapping M’s with a script letter J wrapped through it) proudly presented in the center. The word Patriarch and year 2021 is printed below. The imagery represents the initials of James Maurice Moss. A secondary white and gold band is placed below the primary and declares this as the Connecticut blend. Finally, a white satin foot band is applied.
Running the barrel along the nose I detected a sweet baking spice note and a touch of barnyard. The foot exudes a mild cocoa powder note and a touch of peppery spice.
I used my CigarMedics Baller cutter to open the cap perfectly and proceeded to give it some cold draw puffs that I found to be just a tad tighter than I prefer while delivering cinnamon spice and natural sweetness.
Using lit cedar spill, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of savory and woody notes to begin the journey. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial puffs offer savory and woody notes to start the journey (rather unique for a conny)
- A light grey ash begins to form on top of a mildly wavy char line
- Ash dropped early revealing a flat but centered burn cone
- Nice oiling above the burn line
- Dry fruit and cream notes
- Dry fruit morphs into a tasty mouth watering berry note
- Savory notes reappear deep in the second third
- Citrus peel notes join the mix in the final
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
Final Analysis
Though not overly complex, the blend of the JM Patriarch Connecticut offers a pleasant array of flavor to make me want another. The first draws introduce an intriguing blend of savory and woody flavors, a departure from the usual for a Connecticut cigar. The introductory notes give way to hints of dried fruit and cream that dance on the palate. As the experience progresses, the dried fruit evolves into a succulent, mouthwatering berry essence. Midway through, the savory undertones resurface, adding depth to the smoke. Finally, as the cigar nears its end, zesty notes of citrus peel emerge, blending harmoniously with the remaining flavors keeping the palate moistened. This is a box buy, especially if you are looking for a flavorful Connecticut blend. This is a perfect cigar in the morning or the last cigar of the day. I rate this a 94.
Point Deductions: (-1) Flat but Centered Burn Cone; (-1) Mild wave in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Nice Oiling Above the Char Line; (+1) Well Balanced
