Back in 2012, Miami Cigar & Co debuted a line known as the Nestor Miranda Special Selection that included a three different blends – Habano Rosado, Oscuro, and Connecticut. The line lasted a short couple of years as was phased out in 2014. Then in 2019 they brought back the Habano to celebrate 30 years in the business. Following that they reintroduced the Connecticut at the 2022 PCA Trade Show. Today I would liek to offer a review of the 2022 Connecticut version.
The line is offered in 3 different vitolas, each packaged in 20-count boxes and are hand crafted at My Father Cigars S.A. in Estelí, Nicaragua. The company notes that the 2022 version was blend to be as close as possible to the original.
- Coffee Break (4 1/2 x 50) – MSRP $7.50
- Toro (5 1/2 x 54) – MSRP $8.25
- Gran Toro (6 x 60) – MSRP $8.75
As for the blend, the company decided not to disclose it to the public. I am not sure why that it is but sometimes these things happen in the industry.
For this review I sampled two of the toros that I received as part of a gift pack from the company for the purpose of reviewing on Stogie Press.
Pre-Light Examination
The Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut is cloaked in a darker than normal Connecticut leaf that is more dark tan in hue and exhibits some marbling. The wrapper is light on veins and has more of matte finish than oily. Feeling the cigar in the hand I found it to be fairly firm to the touch with just a little extra give near the foot. A well applied triple cap finishes the construction.
A single band adorns the cigar that uses a copper, green and white motif. It includes Nestor’s signature in red on a white background on top and identifies it as the “Special Collection” in copper on a forest green background on the bottom.
Running the cigar along the nose I picked up a pungent barnyard note along the barrel while the foot was similar with an added cocoa note.
Using my CigarMedics Baller cutter, I opened the cap perfectly and gave it some cold draw puffs that I found to be quite satisfying in both restriction and taste. It offered notes of tangy fruit, nut, and cocoa. A few more satisfying puffs and a gentle pepper component begins to develop.
Using my single flame Xikar lighter, I warmed the foot to an even orange glow and drew in the first puffs of black pepper smoke to start the journey.
Cigar Review Notes
- The journey starts with a pleasant black pepper note
- A light grey ash forms on top of a thick and fairly even char line
- Tangy fruit notes quickly add to the profile
- Wrapping the fruit is a pleasant vanilla component with a cocoa aroma wafting off the foot
- The ash fell in a good chunk revealing a perfect burn cone
- The profile is consistent down to the midway point where a touch of woodiness appears
- Moving toward the end of the second third a hint of sweetness enters that plays well with the fruit and vanilla
- Mild spice and nut joins the mix down in the final
- Mild to Medium in Strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 45 minutes
The Nestor Miranda Special Selection Connecticut Toro expedition commences with a delightful introduction of black pepper, setting the tone for the journey ahead. As the experience unfolds, tangy fruit notes eagerly join the mix, enhancing the overall flavor profile. Enveloping the fruit is a pleasing vanilla essence, accompanied by the enchanting aroma of cocoa gently wafting from the base. The profile remains steadfast, maintaining its consistency until the midway point, where a subtle touch of woodiness emerges, adding a new dimension to the unfolding journey.
Progressing towards the conclusion of the second third, a subtle hint of sweetness delicately enters the scene, engaging in a delightful dance with the fruit and vanilla elements, further enriching the sensory experience. Closing in on the final stretch, a mild infusion of spice and nut nuances gracefully joins the profile down to the finish. When compared to the habano blend I have to say I give the Connecticut the edge in this line. This is a box buy and a cigar that can be enjoyed any time of the day. I rate this a 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Slight Jag in Burn
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Pleasurable and Balanced across Multiple Samples
