Wrapper: Nicaraguan Habano – OR- Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Size: 5.5 x 41 “Perfecto- Delphic”
Body: Full
Price: $6.50

I would like to thank Arby Sosa for the samples. I was given one of each blend. Both the Ecuadorian Connecticut and the Nicaraguan Habano. Because these are small cigars, I will review both within the same review.

The two blends are mirror images of the other. It looks like the wrapper stops at both the cap and foot to reveal the binder. I may be wrong so we will find out together.

Both cigars are slightly rustic with lots of small veins. The caps on both have small pig tails.

This cigar came out in 2011 by Antillian Cigars. It is a limited batch cigar and only 300 per week are produced. And the cigars are produced in Little Miami, not Central America.

Prior to release of the cigars, Sosa released this press release:
“The Sosa cigar tradition began with Don Juan Sosa, a small tobacco grower in the fertile Taguasco region of Cuba at the turn of the century. By the 1920’s, his farm had become one of the largest tobacco-producing haciendas in Cuba. Over the next 30 years, Don Juan’s son, Arturo, and grandson, Juan, manufactured cigars for sale in Cuba and abroad. Juan B. Sosa moved the operation to the Dominican Republic in the 1960’s where the family re-established their factory along with operations in Miami, Florida. Today, the legacy of quality, handmade cigars made in the Cuban tradition continues with master blender, Juan B. Sosa, alongside his wife, sons and nephews.

“Sosa is woody, sweet, peppery, and features a spicy Nicaraguan Habano wrapper that’s capped on both ends with Connecticut leaf. For a smoke that’s definitely off the beaten path, go with the Underground.”

First, I will smoke the stick with the Connecticut wrapper.

I clip the cap and find aromas of wood, fruit, leather, coffee, and cocoa.
Time to light up.

The draw is impossible. There seems to be a plug in it somewhere so I use my cigar awl in an attempt to dislodge it. I have to be super careful because this cigar ring gauge is so small. I could easily crack everything.

It didn’t work the first time so I try again. And the second times does the trick. The draw is perfect.

There is a delightful black cherry flavor as well as oak. There is a bit of black pepper in the background.

Now I cannot get the cigar to stay lit. Constant re-lighting affects the flavor of the cigar as each time I put a torch to the foot, it chars the tobacco.

There is a natural tobacco sweetness that enhances the black cherry.

This is a simple tasting cigar. Nothing flashy. Except for the concept of the exterior wrapper and unusual caps.

The Connecticut wrapper gives the cigar a nice, even keeled body. At the 1-1/2” spot, it is no more than just shy of medium bodied. A bit of creaminess appears. I believe the focus of this cigar is aimed at the smoker with an appreciative palate of smoking good tobacco and not expecting a wheel barrow full of flavors. The tobacco itself is the main flavor of this blend.
Near the halfway point, the pepper shifts from black to red as my tongue feels the tingling, my tongue numbs out a bit, and my sinuses clear.

The cigar transits to a very full flavored cigar just past the halfway point. I am bombarded with the flavors of tobacco, cherry, creaminess, oak, a cup of joe, and lots of red pepper.

A sip of water and I get a new flavor of oatmeal cereal. My wife and I are big fans of Steel Cut Irish oatmeal. And the cigar is definitely pumping out oats.

The cigar finishes out with very strong spice and creaminess. The oak and black cherry are right behind, and the oatmeal behind that. The body makes the transition quickly from medium to full with a couple inches to go. At this point, the cigar is a powerhouse. The spice has the same impact as the infamous Garcia blast of pepper when starting many of his blends. Only here, that blast is at the end.

I must put the cigar down at the 1” mark as it gets too hot and harsh.

This is most definitely a unique cigar and kudos to Arby Sosa, who so kindly sent me samples, for coming up with such an interesting blend and appearance.

Off to the Nicaraguan Habano…..

The leaf stats are the same except for the wrapper.
I clip the cap and find aromas of ginger, spice, hay, strong cocoa, and fruit.
Time to light up.

There is a plug in the same place as the Connecticut…near the foot. I use my awl and we are good to go.

The first puffs are very earthy. Smoke fills the room. The flavors are much different as this is a Nicaraguan puro. Then the spice hits me square between the eyes. It is very potent red pepper.

The body hits medium/full immediately.

While I don’t think that the Connecticut is for beginners, the Habano is only for the smoker used to smoking powerful cigars. The stick comes in only one other size; the 5 x 50 robusto and I would love to try that as well.

A diversity of flavors hit much more quickly than the Connecticut. A bold creaminess appears followed by sweet cocoa. The fruitiness is black raisin.

The Connecticut had a small dose of complexity. The Habano hits the complexity button at 1” in.

There is a delicious mix of flavors I can’t quite get a handle on. More cigar needs to be smoked.

As in the Connecticut, the tobacco is its own flavor. It is strong and complex. I have an excellent palate, but the elusive flavors are making me nuts. And there it is….A complex variety of nuts. There is mostly marzipan instead of almonds, hazelnut is there as well. And raw cashews. All sweet nuts.

Cocoa hits big and hard at the halfway point. The body is now full. I am getting a real kick of nicotine. There is a creamy coffee now. The spiciness has been tamped down by the new flavors.

Again, like the Connecticut, the creaminess leads the pack. I like the Habano more than the Connecticut because of its boldness and complexity. This is not meant to diss the other cigar, it is just different; that’s all.

The cigar has a couple inches to go. Both cigars took approximately 30 minutes to smoke.

There is a slight burn issue and I correct it.

This cigar is extremely powerful. And my body is reacting to the massive dose of nicotine. My typing becomes labored and it is difficult to take photos as my vision is slightly blurred.

Smoking both cigars, one after another, was a real roller coaster ride.
The last bit gets very hot and I am unable to finish it. So if you decide to purchase the Habano make sure there is food in your belly.

You can buy these cigars at BestCigarPrices.com for less than $4 each instead of the Sosa pricing.

Thanks again to Arby Sosa for the samples.

Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS

Tags: antillian cigars, arby sosa, cigar reviews, cigar reviews by the katman, cigars, sosa cigars, sosa underground