Pre-light Experience

The wrapper is dark brown and has one prominent vein running the length of the cigar. The seams are very well blended and smooth. There appears to be two well applied caps. The foot is mostly covered with excess wrapper except for one small section where the filler is visible. The band appears to be the same that is on the Connecticut Shade version. The aroma from the wrapper is barnyard and leather. Due to the foot being mostly closed, I got the same aroma there. On the pre-light draw, I get some raisin sweetness and a decent spicy tingle on my lips.

Pre-light Experience

The Foundation Charter Oak CT Broadleaf Rothchild has an attractive toothy, oily, maduro shade wrapper. One major vein protrudes within the extent of the cigar. Seams are tight and visible. Bunch and roll fells well done as there is a uniformed give throughout. The head is finished off with a thick double cap. Nosing the wrapper gives baking spices and sharp cedar. Nosing the enclosed foot tells dry wood and a hint of dry white pepper spice. Cold draw tells mainly dry wood and dry cardboard.

First Third

Initial draws bring a peppery and earthy wood with a hint of cocoa. At a quarter inch in, the earthiness fades back and the peppered wood and slight cocoa remain. The retrohale is a toned down version of the peppered wood. At a half inch in, the pepper leaves the profile and now it’s primarily oak with a slight cocoa still in the background. At an inch in, some cream joins in with the oak and slight cocoa. As the third comes to a close, the cream leaves and some wood bitterness joins in with the oak. The strength in this third was right at medium.

First Third

This is exactly the CT broadleaf I enjoy. Dense, chewy, earthy dankness and creamed milk chocolate immediately hits the palate. Quarter inch in, a gritty dirt forms in addition to oak and flowery perfume. Through retrohaling, richer creamed milk chocolate and satisfying black pepper spice. The finish is comprised of lasting oak and gritty earth. Body is medium plus and strength medium.

Second Third

As this third begins, it continues with the oak and slight wood bitterness. The retrohale is a slightly dry oak. At a half inch in, the wood bitterness increases and comes even with the oak which seems to work well together. At an inch in, the oak becomes young with some greenness and the bitterness has a bit of bite. The retrohale is also a slightly green oak, but has no bitterness. As the third comes to a close, the greenness goes away and the profile goes back to an even mix of oak and wood bitterness. The strength in this third was right at medium.

Second Third

The second third becomes slightly more wood and spice centric. Oak and well mannered black pepper spice are the two main players. With that, the profile becomes less dank and creamed milk chocolate based. Further, baking spices enters in an intermittent fashion. The retrohale remains unchanged still providing richer creamed chocolate and just the right amount of black pepper spice. The finish is now mainly made up of lingering oak. Body and strength is unchanged at medium plus and medium, respectively.

Final Third

As this third begins, the equal mix of oak and wood bitterness continues. At a half inch in, some cream joins in which knocks down most of the wood bitterness. At three quarters of an inch in, the cigar begins to heat up which brings some bitterness back along with the creamy oak. As the cigar comes to a close, it finishes with the same creamy oak and slight bitterness. The strength in this third was slightly above medium.

Final Third

The last third calls for the return of dankness and milk chocolate. The black pepper spice and oak is now the supporting cast of the aforementioned flavors. Baking spices is now a flavor that’s here to stay. The retrohale is still rich, creamed chocolate and the desired level of black pepper. The finish increases in complexities with oak, creamed mixed nuts and subtle black pepper. Strength is still at medium and body at medium plus.

Burn

Couldn’t ask much more from the burn as it was razor sharp the entire way. Ashes held on in about three quarter inch increments.

Burn

The burn overall was very good. A slow and cool burning rothchild clocking in at 1 hour and 52 minutes. Ashes held on fairly tight with slight flowering. Ash marks averaged self tapped 1.5 inches.

Draw

The draw had just the right amount of resistance that I prefer.

Overall

The first third was pretty good and then settled into a pretty average profile the rest of the way. Some bitterness kind of degraded things a bit, but wasn’t too bad. Price doesn’t factor into our scoring, but it’s worth noting that this is very budget friendly. Those that find this profile enjoyable may welcome a new daily smoke into their rotation. I’m curious if more time would help settle the bitterness down, and if so, this could turn out to be a real winner. I would highly suggest that fans of broadleaf seek this one out.

Draw

The draw was slightly snug for my liking but it was still fantastic with no real complaints.

Overall

A $5 Connecticut broadleaf providing rich dankness, gritty earth and milk chocolate?! I just found my every day broadleaf cigar (if there is such a thing). This is an easy box purchase. Nick created a budget home run with this blend. Very impressive!

Aaron Loomis

SCORE

6.33

Cost/Point

$0.79

Scoring System

Jiunn Liu

SCORE

8.00

Cost/Point

$0.63

Scoring System

Team Cigar Review: Foundation Charter Oak CT Broadleaf Rothchild