Let's cut straight to this petite powerhouse: the Charter Oak Connecticut Shade Rothschild from Foundation Cigars packs 50 rings of flavor into its 4.25-inch frame, delivering Connecticut's signature smoothness with Nicaraguan spice undertones. At $115 per box of 20 sticks, this budget-friendly shorty smokes above its price tier. Our team found it maintains consistent burns even in 70% humidity - just keep your puff rhythm steady. Keep scrolling for the full breakdown.
The cold draw hits with cedar shavings and raw honey sweetness. Initial puffs release creamy cashew notes - think lightly roasted nuts without bitter edges. Watch the ash here: ours held solid for 1.5 inches before dropping. Retrohale brings faint white pepper tingle, less intense than typical Nicaraguans.
At the 25-minute mark, the smoke thickens to custard-like texture. Baking spices emerge - specifically nutmeg and raw cinnamon bark. We detected slight tunneling in 2/10 samples; a quick purge fixed airflow. Pair with iced coffee to amplify the caramelized sugar notes.
Approaching the nub, earthy tones dominate without turning muddy. Haystack freshness balances the accumulating nicotine (still mild at ★★☆). Cut smoking at 1-inch remaining to avoid tar buildup. Post-smoke aroma leaves pleasant cashew butter memory rather than harsh ash tray vibes.
Test boxes showed minimal wrapper flaws - 9/20 cigars had invisible seams. The triple cap punches clean with Xikar Xi cutter. Burn line stays razor-sharp when stored at 65% RH. Box dates matter here: age beyond 18 months mutes the delicate Connecticut sweetness.
