Best Connecticut Cigars (Sampler)

I'm Gerard from Mardo Cigars, and this week we're rounding up the best Connecticut cigars you are going to love. We built a six-cigar sampler that pulls from three different regions, and every single one wears a Connecticut wrapper. It is valued at over 60 dollars, but we rounded it to 60 so you also get free shipping. Search "Connecticut cigars you're going to love" at mardocigars.com to grab it.

What Is a Connecticut Cigar?

A Connecticut cigar is named for its wrapper, not where the whole cigar is made. The Connecticut shade wrapper is light in color and known for a smooth, creamy, mild smoke. That is why Connecticut cigars are such a great starting point for beginners. The wrapper can be grown in the Connecticut River Valley or, very commonly today, in Ecuador, where it is called Ecuadorian Connecticut. As you will see below, the best Connecticut cigars come from makers all over the world, even though they share that same easygoing wrapper.

So why are Connecticut cigars so good for beginners? The light wrapper keeps the smoke gentle, with creamy, buttery, and sometimes nutty notes instead of a heavy kick. They are easy on the palate, so you can relax and actually taste the cigar. They also pair beautifully with coffee in the morning or a light cocktail in the evening. Trying several side by side, the way this sampler lets you, is the fastest way to learn what you like. That is why a Connecticut sampler is one of the best first steps into premium cigars.

The 6 Best Connecticut Cigars in Our Sampler

Here are the six Connecticut cigars in the sampler, grouped by their home region.

1Don Juan Calaveras

Region: Honduras Wrapper: Connecticut Note: Mildest in the sampler First up is a cigar that is new to mardocigars.com: the Don Juan Calaveras out of Honduras. It has a Connecticut wrapper and is rolled at the Danli factory. It is brand new to us and it is the mildest of every cigar in this sampler, which makes it a perfect easy starter.

2Jake Wyatt Appendix II Belicoso

Region: Dominican Republic Size: 52 Belicoso Tip: Use a guillotine cut Next is the Jake Wyatt Appendix II Belicoso, a 52 ring gauge out of the Dominican Republic. Because it is a Belicoso, give it a good guillotine cut to open it up. For a mild Connecticut, this cigar carries a lot of flavor. I love this thing.

3Last Cowboy Connecticut

Region: Dominican Republic Factory: La Aurora Size: 6x54 Toro Detail: Candela strip at the foot Also from the Dominican Republic is the Last Cowboy Connecticut. The standout detail is the little strip of Candela at the foot. It is made at the La Aurora factory in the Dominican Republic, which has been rolling cigars forever. This one is a 6 by 54 Toro, and it is included in the sampler.

4RoMa Craft Intemperance

Region: Nicaragua (Esteli) Factory: Nica Sueno Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Size: 5x56 Now we move to Nicaragua. In the heart of Esteli, RoMa Craft makes the Intemperance at the Nica Sueno factory. It has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a Nicaraguan binder, and Nicaraguan filler, in a 5 by 56 ring gauge. It is a very good cigar and a big hit in the sampler.

5Undercrown Shade

Region: Nicaragua Maker: Drew Estate Wrapper: Connecticut shade Size: Churchill One you may already know: the Undercrown Shade, made by Drew Estate in Nicaragua. It is a Connecticut shade wrapper over an all-Nicaraguan blend, and we picked the Churchill size to mix things up. A familiar, reliable favorite.

6Highclere Castle

Region: Nicaragua Maker: Nick Melillo Price: $14 Robusto Note: Priciest in the sampler Last but not least is Highclere Castle, from Nick Melillo, who used to work for Drew Estate. He calls it the Rolls Royce of his entire lineup. It is made in Nicaragua with a Connecticut wrapper, and it is a fantastic cigar. This is the most expensive stick in the sampler at 14 dollars for the Robusto.

What makes this lineup special is the range. You get the same smooth Connecticut wrapper on six very different cigars, from three countries, at three price points. A mild Honduran, two flavorful Dominicans, and three distinct Nicaraguan blends. Tasting them back to back shows you how much a region and a blender can change a cigar, even when the wrapper stays the same. That is a real education for a beginner, and it is genuinely fun for a seasoned smoker too.

Watch: Connecticut Cigars You Will Love

See the full sampler straight from the episode on Mondays with Mardo:

Final Thoughts

If you want smooth, creamy, easygoing smokes, the best Connecticut cigars are hard to beat, and this sampler lets you taste six of them from three regions in one shot. Try them side by side and find your favorite. For more easy smokes, see our roundup of the best mild cigars for beginners, and explore standout Dominican cigar brands too.

Shop Cigar Samplers

Mardo Cigars sells premium tobacco products intended for adults 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.