Cain Connecticut CT 650 Staff Review
Today, I am reviewing Cain Connecticut CT in a classic 6 x 50 Toro format, fittingly named 650. Cain Connecticut shows off the softer side of an otherwise brawny brand, well known for its tenacious Ligero-laden taste present in other blends like Cain Habano, Cain F, and Cain Maduro.
Cain deserves much credit today. The brand debuted in 2009 and quickly captured the attention of connoisseurs searching for more strength – and more value. Cain is an undeniable bargain. The entire portfolio is blended and handmade by Oliva Cigars, the award-winning company responsible for top-rated bestsellers like the original Oliva Serie V and Cigar Aficionado’s ‘#1 Cigar of the Year’ for 2014, Oliva Serie V Melanio. Cain hails from the sprawling Oliva factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, and offers a genuine reflection of Oliva’s hallmarks for quality, consistency, and taste – for a fraction of the price.
I first smoked Cain years ago. I can still recall the pronounced pepperiness of Cain Habano permeating my palate and pulsating into my eardrums with alarming aplomb. It sat me down and gave me the spins. That was then. While the brand has hardly shed its palate-pounding DNA, Cain Connecticut reflects a mellow evolution for a broader audience of cigar lovers.
Like all Cain editions, the band on Cain Connecticut is found at the foot of the cigar. A satin-like Ecuador Connecticut wrapper leaf displays a seamless appearance. Beneath it, a full complement of premium Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos completes the package. The Connecticut 650 demonstrates ideal density from head to foot when gently pressed.
A vibrant bouquet of sweet tobacco and leather notes greets the olfactory sense in an attentive whiff of the unlit cigar. The cold draw contributes notes of cedar, nuts, and grass. Once lit, Cain Connecticut reveals a creamy procession of flavors. Notes of white pepper, leather, and buttered toast emerge effortlessly.
The cigar’s draw is impeccable with ample smoke production and desirable resistance. Its steady burn results in a meticulous ash that never threatens to land prematurely. Cain Connecticut is a conventional medium-bodied smoke. The profile sticks to the script and changes little in taste as the halfway mark is passed.
Cain Connecticut isn’t short on complexity, but it will throw a curve to traditional Cain fans who anticipate the emergence of domineering spices. For that reason, Cain Connecticut is an excellent cigar for earlier in the day or when you want to buy a well-made, affordable box to share with your pals on the golf course.
Cain Connecticut closes with a woody, leathery character. Notes of white pepper and cedar engage the finish, which is a bit dry and an easy indication the blend is best enjoyed with ice-cold beer. Unlike other iterations of Cain that aim to conquer the palate, Connecticut CT makes the cut if you want to add a smooth and creamy Nicaraguan handmade to your coolerdor. Boxes of Cain Connecticut receive heavy exposure in our weekly specials. Even if you readily embrace the brand’s rallying cry, “Cain is for Tough Guys Only,” don’t overlook this pleasant-tasting cake walk from Cain. It’s tough to beat the price and the performance. Consider Connecticut CT for your daily rotation.
