Meet the H. Upmann Connecticut Churchill - a box-pressed 7" stogie packing more oomph than your typical Connecticut smoke. Priced at $183 for 20 sticks, this Dominican-made torpedo brings together Ecuadorian wrapper magic with Nicaraguan-Dominican filler guts. Let's break down why this medium-strength Churchill deserves your humidor real estate.
The pre-light sniff reveals hay and cashew butter. Initial puffs deliver creamy cedar with white pepper tickle - think fresh-baked brioche crust. Smoke output's moderate, perfect for morning coffee pairing. Burn line stays razor-sharp through this phase.
At the 2" mark, the Nicaraguan ligero kicks in. Roasted almonds and cinnamon toast emerge, balanced by cool herbal undertones (think spearmint tea leaves). Ash holds firm in 1.5" segments - no flaking mess here.
Approaching the nub, mineral notes appear alongside semi-sweet cocoa. Retrohale gets spicy without throat bite. Smart nicotine management lets you enjoy 85-minute sessions without dizziness.
The Ecuadorian wrapper shows visible tooth under light, oilier than most Connecticuts. Triple-seam cap withstands multiple cuts. Draw resistance sits in the Goldilocks zone - not too open, not plugged. Box-press shape prevents canoeing even in coastal humidity.
