Let's cut to the chase about the Perdomo 20th Anniversary Connecticut Gordo - this 6x60 Nicaraguan puro packs 8-year-aged Ecuadorian Connecticut wrappers with a bourbon barrel twist. The barrel-aged wrapper takes mild Connecticut shade to new depths without overwhelming new smokers. At roughly $10/stick in 24-count boxes, it's positioned as an entry-level premium with some crafty complexity.
The pre-light aroma serves damp cedar and sweet hay. Initial draws reveal cashew butter and vanilla cream with a honeyed tip - textbook Connecticut approachability. Smoke output stays moderate, requiring deliberate puffing through the massive 60-ring gauge.
At the 1-inch mark, baking spices emerge - think cinnamon toast with a white pepper tingle. The Nicaraguan core flexes slightly with roasted coffee beans and cured leather undertones. Burn line stays sharp despite the large format.
Approaching the band point, salted caramel and mineral notes dominate. The body climbs to medium territory with faint nicotine presence. Wise to stop before the last 2 inches where tar buildup becomes noticeable in thick-ring gauges.
The oily Ecuadorian wrapper shows minimal veins and tight triple-cap finish. Box-pressed variants tend to channel better than round vitolas. Average smoke time: 85 minutes. Pairing recommendation: Oat milk latte or light rum cocktail.
