The Rocky Patel Gold Connecticut is as mild as advertised, but it brings some flavor along for the ride.  The Robusto begins with sweetness and mild spice in the first third.  The second third introduces earth and mild tobacco into the equation, and the spice continues to appear in its mild form.  The final third is creamy and sweet.

I have no real complaints when it comes to the Rocky Patel Gold Connecticut.  Sure, it was not the most complex cigar in the world, but it was very smooth and pleasant.  I’d call it a solid choice as a morning cigar to complement a nice cup of coffee.  Its mild nature makes it smooth enough for beginners as well.  A single sells for around $6, and you can also find the Gold Connecticut in boxes of 20.  Since it’s an exclusive cigar, it may not be around for too long, so don’t wait if you plan on giving one a try.

The Rocky Patel Gold Connecticut Robusto earns a rating of 3.5 out of four stars.

Crowned Heads Headley Grange Estupendos

The Headley Grange line from Crowned Heads originally debuted at the 2012 IPCPR show.  Its production was limited last year to just the 5 1/2 x 52 Estupendos size, of which 1,000 boxes were produced.  The line is expected to be released in full during the spring of this year.  When it does, it will come in the following sizes in addition to the Estupendos: the 5 x 48 Hermoso No. 4, 5 1/4 x 44 Eminentes, 5 5/8 x 46 Corona Gorda, and the 6 1/8 x 50 Dobles. 

It should be noted that once all of the sizes are released that the Headley Grange will be regularly produced by Crowned Heads and will not be a limited edition cigar.  As for the cigar’s name, Headley Grange is a recording venue in England where the song “When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin was recorded.  The guys at Crowned Heads were apparently listening to that song and were inspired to “blend a cigar that tasted like the first six seconds” of it sounded.  In the end, the Headley Grange cigar was finally blended with the help of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Jr. to be a cigar that is described as “big, bold, and gutsy.”

Since the other sizes have not been released as of yet, I went with a 5 1/2 x 52 Headley Grange Estupendos for this review.  It features a filler and binder of Nicaraguan tobaccos.  The wrapper, meanwhile, is Ecuadorian.  The strength of the Headley Grange is said to be medium to full-bodied.