Pre-light Experience

The wrapper on the Powstanie Connecticut Justice is dark tan and has a network of lightly raised veins. The seams are a bit raised and the head is well finished. There are two bands, both in a black and gold color combination. The primary carries the company logo, while the secondary denotes the vitola. The aroma from the wrapper is a mix of hay and earth, while the foot brings cedar, cardboard and some earth. The pre-light draw brings cedar, floral notes, some spice and dusty earth, along with an aggressive spiciness on my lips.

First Third

The cigar begins with toasted cedar, earth, black pepper and some creaminess. At a half inch in, the black pepper increases a bit. The retrohale is toasted cedar, earth, creaminess and some hay. At an inch in, some hay joins the profile. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is up front, with earth a bit behind, black pepper a bit further behind and some creaminess and hay in the back half of the profile. The strength was right at medium.

Second Third

As the second third begins, the hay increases a bit. At a quarter inch in, the black pepper mellows a fair amount. The retrohale is now toasted cedar, earth, creaminess, hay and some mild black pepper. At an inch in, the hay is now just a bit behind the earth. As the third comes to a close, the toasted cedar is up front, with earth right behind and hay right behind it. The black pepper and creaminess are in the back half. The strength remained at medium.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the earth becomes even with the toasted cedar up front. At a quarter inch in, some mustiness joins in near the front of the profile. The retrohale is now toasted cedar, earth, hay, mustiness and mild black pepper. As the cigar wraps up, the toasted cedar and earth are even up front, with mustiness right behind and hay a bit further behind. The creaminess and black pepper remain in the back half. The strength bumped up to slightly above medium.

Burn

The burn was a bit wavy at times, but never needed any intervention. The ash held on in inch and a quarter increments.

Draw

The draw was slightly tighter than I prefer, but didn’t cause any issues with the smoking experience.

Overall

The cigar began with toasted cedar, earth, black pepper and some creaminess. The black pepper increased fairly quickly. Some hay joined a bit later. The second third saw the hay increase a bit. and then the black pepper mellowed a fair amount. The final third saw the earth become even with the toasted cedar up front and some mustiness joined near the front of the profile. The Powstanie Connecticut Justice had a nice start, with a good combination of flavors. It took a step down in the second third as the hay increased and pepper mellowed and remained at that level the rest of the way. This cigar was right on par with the Toro we reviewed previously. It’s not a cigar I’d really see returning to, but those that like a slightly stronger Connecticut shade, it might fit the bill.

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

5.85

Cost/Point

$2.31

Scoring System

Personal Cigar Review: Powstanie Connecticut Justice