At this years PCA Trade Show, Powstanie Cigars announced the release of a new size for its Connecticut blend: the Corona Gorda. The new vitola, named “Justice”, is a tribute to the middle child of Mike Szczepankiewicz, the co-owner and master blender of Powstanie Cigars.
The cigar was originally blended over 9 years ago for the birth of his son. At that time, there were only 100 cigars made. The original band said “ApolloDani” in blue and pink. Fast forward 9 years later and the entire Connecticut core line for Powstanie was created solely off that blend.
Mike Szczepankiewicz co-owner and harder-working brother of Powstanie Cigars stated:
“When working with a factory, I highly recommend you work with a factory that actually keeps records of your blends from close to a decade ago and can recreate that blend to a T.
The Powstanie Connecticut Corona Gorda “Justice” measures 5 1/2 x 46 and has a blend described as:
- Wrapper – Ecuadorian Connecticut shade
- Binder – Pennsylvania broadleaf
- Filler – Nicaraguan
The Powstanie Connecticut Corona Gorda “Justice” is available in boxes of 21 cigars, with a suggested retail price of $13.50 per cigar. The cigars were released first at Boll Wevil Cigars in Enterprise Alabama on April 6th and then shipped nationwide shortly thereafter.
The Justice is handcrafted at the Fábrica de Tabacos Nica Sueño S.A. factory in Nicaragua, the same factory that produces the acclaimed RoMa Craft brand.
Pre-Light Examination
The Powstanie Justice Corona Gorda is cloaked in a mildly oily, medium tan wrapper that is light on veins and smooth to the touch. The cigar has an excellent packing and roll with tight seams and no discernable soft spots. There is just the right give along the barrel when gently squeezed. A triple cap completes the construction.
Two bands adorn the cigar. The primary band is black and gold and boldly presents the company logo on it while a thin secondary band, placed just below, declares this vitola as the “JUSTICE” also in gold on a black background.
Running the Justice along the nose I quickly detected dry fruit and cracker notes along the barrel while the foot added additional fruit notes.
I sliced the cap with my doble blade Haso cutter and proceeded to give the Justice some cold draws, which I found to be spot on with restriction. Right off the first cold draw puff my palate was intrigued with a subtle but growing red pepper flake note intermingled with a fruity essence and a dollop of cream. Take that to the bank of flavor molecules.
Using a lit cedar spill, I gently warmed the foot to an even orange glow as I drew int he first puffs of fruit and peppery smoke. Follow along as I burn this one to ash.
Cigar Review Notes
- Initial draws offer a lesser pepper than expected based on cold draw along with a touch of fruit
- Beautiful light grey ash forms on top of a medium thick well-behaved char line
- The smoke production is thick, chewy, and palate filling
- Ash dropped in a nice chunk revealing a well-formed burn cone
- The fruit increases and morphs into a dry fruit note near end of first third
- A growing sweetness develops
- Slight jag in the burn forms
- Nutty essence and coffee join the mix midway
- Peppery spice enters deep in second third down to final
- Medium Plus in strength
- Total Smoking Time was 1 hour and 20 minutes
Final Analysis
Upon the initial draws of the Powstanie Justice Corona Gorda, the cigar reveals a milder pepper flavor than anticipated from the cold draw, accompanied by a subtle hint of fruit. The smoke production is dense, chewy, and thoroughly envelops the palate. As the cigar progresses to the end of the first third, the fruit notes intensify, evolving into a more pronounced dry fruit flavor. Concurrently, a growing sweetness begins to develop. Midway through, a nutty essence and rich coffee tones join the flavor profile. In the deep second third down to the final stages, a peppery spice makes a pronounced entrance, rounding out the complex array of flavors. This medium to full cigar is most certainly worth a box buy. I rate this a 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Jag in Burn in second half
Bonus Points: (+1) Box Buy; (+1) Balanced and Pleasurable across Multiple Samples
