Every year as we approach the month of March I think more and more about my father who passed away a few years back. I imagine we all have memories of our loved ones who have passed. As I opened my humidor this past Saturday morning, the light of the rising sun spread across the variety of well stored works of craftsmanship, years in the making, waiting to satisfy ones discerning palate. But this day, the light seems to have shined brightly on the Miami Cigars – Nestor Miranda One Life Danno Connecticut – with its beautiful blue art decco band representing the essence of Miami.
The Danno line of cigars is a special to Nestor and his family as it was named after his Danny who passed away after a 3 year battle with brain cancer. Nestor created the line to honor his son. I received this cigar along with the other 2 in the One Life Danno line from Nestor at this past years IPCPR in New Orleans. I have just not wanted to smoke it, but there it was, shimmering in the light as thoughts of my father ran through my mind. Losing my dad was hard but I can’t imagine the loss of a son. This article is for you Nestor and your family.
I took the Danno Connecticut out to the deck with my little smoking pal Ziggy and sat in the morning sun. The plants on the deck were blooming with new life as the birds chirped and Ziggy romped about the green grass chasing and playing with the squirrels. Yes life is beautiful.
One Life Danno Connecticut
The Danno Connecticut is part of the Nestor Miranda Collection that was released in June of 2015 but the Danno collection goes back to 2009 when it was first introduced as a tribute to Nester’s son Danny Miranda. This time it is available in 3 different wrappers:
- Connecticut
- Habano
- Maduro
They are each available in in 7×56 vitolas that are pristinely rolled including a perfect triple cap finished with a small nub at the end.
One Life Danno Connecticut
The band on each Danno is similar with the exception of the color. The Connecticut is presented in Blue, Black and Silver Chrome. The letters NMC are presented in art decco style in the center of the band in neon blue on a black background. The band is die cut to enhance the top of the leter N giving the logo a look of a skyline. The word Connecticut printed on the side in silver and the phrase “One Life Edition” is printed below. The band is finished at the bottom with the word “DANNO” printed in black on the blue background embraced by two silver chrome lines on top and bottom. The band is truly a work of art in of itself.
The other two likes have similar bands with the exception of the color, the Habano is neon green and the Maduro is Red.
Examining the Danno Connecticut you quickly notice the light tan Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that embraces the Nicaragua binder and fillers from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. It is fairly smooth to the touch with just a slight vein running along one side. The cap is as beautiful to look at, as is the band, finished perfectly and with pride.
Running the Danno Connecticut along my fresh morning nose, I pick up a fermented tobacco note along the barrel and a nutty aroma on the foot. I breath deep taking in the scent, enjoying the crisp morning air. I chose to cut the cap just under the nub with a double blade cutter though it could just as easily been opened by nipping it off with my teeth. The cold draw offered a touch of pepper to the lips and slight hint of nut on the tongue.
I decided to cue up some Sunday morning tunes on Pandora and chose to listen to some easy listening music from the Mark Knopfler station. Sounds of “Our Shangri-La” filled the patio as I leaned back on the rocker and fired up the Danno with a single flame lighter being sure not to scorch the delicate Connecticut leaf.
One Life Danno Connecticut
The initial puffs presented a nice dose of white pepper that opened the nasal and readied the palate. The smoke was full and creamy in body from the start and the ash was solid and light grey to white on color. As began its journey to there was a touch of fruit that entered and just a hint of the often bitter Connecticut flavor. I really liked how the fruit toned down the bitter.
Moving though the pristine burn and well-formed ash, there is a buttery component building that adds to the profile. The strength is on the low end of medium at this point. A perfect cigar so far to start the day.
A slight tanginess comes in tantalizing the palate followed by coffee and cream at the start of the second third to fill out the profile. The smoke is smooth with no bite or lasting bitterness. Though not overly complex the flavors are well blended and quite enjoyable.
Near the middle of the second third there is a nut flavor that starts to take control of the profile. The smoke production is still full and the draw has been perfect so far not to mention the ash which held tight down to the band.
One Life Danno Connecticut
The final third brought in some nice spice and cedar which continued to build through the remainder of the burn.
Overall the One Life Danno Connecticut from the Nestor Miranda collection, is one of those perfect morning cigars and shows that even Connecticut wrapped cigars can deliver flavor when blended properly. This is a cigar that would be easily enjoyed by any cigar smoker whether you are new to the culture or have been enjoying cigars for decades like me, I would like to thank Nestor and Miami Cigars for the sample. I am sure Danny would be proud of this cigar as much as his family is. We have one life to live and we all should make the best of what we have.
~Boston Jimmie
One Life Danno Connecticut