Casa Fernandez Miami Reserva Connecticut
Manufacturer: Casa Fernandez
Brand: Miami Reserva Connecticut
Shape: Toro
Length: 6 inches
Gauge: 52
Manufactured in: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua
Strength-Profile: Medium
Appearance & Construction (15)
Heft: This cigar is well constructed, full filler without bulges and absolutely zero soft spots. Firm roll in the fingers, good weight to it – wrapper is silky smooth. The cigar maintained its pre-light heft during smoking, without developing soft spots. Feels very good in the fingers, and remains firm when rolled.
Appearance: This cigar is a gem, impeccable construction, and a beautiful appearance. The Connecticut wrapper is flawless, small veining, tight wrap around the cigar with no rips or tears. The cigar has a very uniform, tight roll from head to foot. The wrapper has a nice tan color to it which is uniform without blemishes or discolorations and it features a traditional Cuban style triple cap – this cigars construction and appearance is truly amazing, one for the manufacturer to be proud of.
Construction: The construction of this cigar is flawless. Pre-light the cigar is a perfect example of what a quality cigar should look and feel like. Smooth construction with no bulges or bumps, no soft or hollow points, and beautiful, small veining. Cutting the triple cap of the cigar is uneventful with no fraying or peeling at the head.
Lighting of the cigar is achieved very easy with only one match and the burn begins very uniform. The construction of the cigar maintained its pre-light appearance without any unraveling, splitting, or cracking during the course of the smoke. The head of the cigar maintained its perfectness without fraying or peeling during smoking.
The ash of this cigar was a light gray and very tight – first ashing didn’t occur until halfway through the cigar. The cigar maintained an even burn from start to finish. Second ashing occurred about three quarters of the way through the cigar and was the last ashing before laying the cigar to rest with only a finger width of cigar remaining.
Overall this cigar was impeccable in its construction and appearance and, is the opinion of this reviewer, a gem and a prime example of how premium cigars should be constructed.
Total Appearance and Construction: 15/15
Flavor (25)
Pre-Light aroma: The pre-light aroma of the cigar is a pleasing mix of tobacco with hints of nuts and bread, with a slight undertone of spice but not predominant.
Pre-Light Flavor: The pre-light flavor is indicative of the aroma, with a more noticeable presence of spice with definite flavors of nuts and tobacco, pleasing even before putting flame to it.
Beginning flavor: WOW – the beginning flavor of the cigar slaps you in the face with definite white pepper flavor with subtle almonds and straight tobacco flavor. The boldness of the white pepper gradually smooths out and by halfway through the first third has blended well with flavors of toasted almonds, tobacco and a buttery creamy flavor on the undertone. The cigar started with and maintained a mild body about it all the way through the first third to the beginning of the second third.
Continuing flavor: In the second third the white pepper has subsided and given way to increased amounts of butter and roasted almonds with a slight sweetness and the introduction of a subtle cedar profile that is mixing very nicely with the tobacco flavors. By the halfway point of the cigar the strength profile has reached a mild-medium and is quite nice. The aroma in the air is tobacco and wood and is quite relaxing.
Ending flavor: By the end of the second third and moving into the second third the buttery roasted almond flavor has begun to subside and has given way to the cedar and tobacco profile, with the reintroduction of white pepper flavors on the undertone. The strength profile by this point has maintained the mild-medium body and quite pleasing for an evening smoke. Reaching the end of the cigar the white pepper has become the predominant flavor with an undertone of cedar and straight tobacco, finishing a lot like it started.
Total Flavor: 22/25
Smoking Characteristics (25)
Light: Very easy to light this cigar, one match on the light, burn started even and maintained even burn. Cigar did not require a relight during its enjoyment.
Draw: The draw on this cigar is very smooth and open, allowing for an easy smoke with very little effort.
Smoke: The smoke itself is a light gray, thick smoke that hangs in the air and produces an aroma consisting of a mix of straight tobacco and wood. Pleasing to smell.
Texture: Smoke texture is thick, hangs in the air and is slow to dissipate.
Balance as smoked: The balance of this cigar was pretty impressive. While it started out with a slap to the face of white pepper it quickly mellowed out and the flavors balanced together in a harmony that resulted in a relaxing and enjoyable smoke. The transition of flavors was slow and subtle, without any drastic changes. The cigar was definitely blended well and the blend paired perfectly. The cigar started as a very mild smoke and turned to a mild-medium body by the halfway point and maintained this strength through the end of the cigar.
Total Smoking Characteristics: 23/25
Overall Impression (35)
This cigar impressed me with the attention to detail in the construction and appearance of the cigar. I have smoked cigars with higher price tags from other major manufacturers that don’t even come close to the construction of this cigar. The flavors of the cigar were well balanced after the start. The slap in the face of white pepper at the beginning of the cigar tuned me off a little and had it not quickly mellowed I probably would have pitched the cigar as it was quite overpowering. The smoke and aroma of the cigar is pleasing to the senses and the flavor profile throughout the cigar is quite pleasant and very relaxing – this cigar would pair incredibly well with a premium coffee and may become my weekend morning smoke. The buttery, roasted nut flavors combined with a mild sweetness and notes of wood and cedar is a very impressive combination. I thoroughly enjoyed this cigar.
Total Overall Impression: 32/35
Final Notes
I would rate this cigar as a top shelf cigar – while I am not generally a fan of Connecticut cigars, this one is the exception and turned out to be an enjoyable and memorable smoke. This cigar would be perfect for occasions that you want to provide a quality cigar for your guests which would be suited for beginning and experienced smokers. The flavor profile makes me think that this cigar would pair incredibly well with premium coffee or a good whiskey or scotch. If you are looking for a full bodied cigar then this won’t hit the mark, but if you’re looking for a pleasurable, relaxing smoke then this one fits the bill. My research has shown that this cigar is a Thompson exclusive – the manufacture suggested retail is $8.75 per stick however you can get a box of 10 for about $50 or visit their auction site and get these gems for less than $2.00 per stick – at that price point I will be adding more of these to my collection because I am sure the remaining cigars from my box will be quickly enjoyed. In the end I give this cigar an A rating with a final score of 92/100.
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