Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Binder: Connecticut Seed Hybrid
Filler: Pennsylvania Broadleaf
Size: 6.25 x 52 Toro
Strength: Full
Price: $20.00
Date Released: June 19, 2026
Quantity Released: 150 boxes of 10 ~ 500 five packs.
Tobacco: Dunn & Foster which is where Drew Estate and Foundation Cigars get their Broadleaf
Factory: Raymond Pages, Nicaragua ~ Only two expert rollers are allowed to roll these cigars.
My cigars received one month of naked humidor time.
BACKGROUND:
From Cigar Page:
“Penn Standard has been a monster in the sales charts from the jump, delivering dependable flavor, premium construction, and unbeatable value built on the foundation of Pennsylvania, USA-grown tobaccos. Now, in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, Penn Standard unveils a limited release: Penn Standard 250 L.E.
“This patriotic blend doubles down on everything that made Penn Standard a fan favorite. Crafted entirely from American-grown tobaccos, it starts with a gorgeous Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper from the legendary Dunn & Foster Tobacco Co., premier growers of some of the finest tobacco in the Connecticut River Valley. Beneath it lies a hybrid Connecticut-seed binder and hearty Pennsylvania Broadleaf long-fillers, creating a uniquely American smoking experience from wrapper to filler.
“The result is bold, rich, and remarkably complex. A blast of pepper greets the palate right out of the gate before settling into a constantly evolving profile layered with sweetness, subtle savory notes, and a satisfying nicotine kick. Thick clouds of aromatic smoke, excellent combustion, and a near-perfect draw make every inch a pleasure to smoke.
“Penn Standard 250 L.E. is a fitting tribute to 250 years of American craftsmanship. Richer, stronger, and more refined than anything we’ve released under the Penn Standard banner to date. Boxes are limited. First come, first served.”
THE WHOLE MEGILLAH:
The word is already out on this cigar. Folks are saying they can’t believe this is from Raymond Pages. Not exactly a shining compliment for the man who was the right-hand guy to AJ Fernandez for years. OK, you know where this review is going because I concur with almighty cigar social media. I bought a box. Waited 30 minutes. And lit up my first stick.
There’s a lot of Broadleaf in this blend. Either it’s a swing and a miss or Pages nailed it.
This is a good-looking cigar. It has reasonable heft. It’s oily, with plenty of attractive veinage and seams are nonexistent.
Aromas from the wrapper include floral, honey, dark chocolate, peat moss, roasted almonds, red pepper, and cedar.
Standing on one foot, my PerfecPunch bellows ‘Put me in coach.’ I’ve asked Dr. Rod why my accessory talks. He says it’s the will of God and the Republican Party.
The cold draw is herby, with chocolate notes on top of almonds, cedar, slight mintyness, black raisins, the tartness of dried apricots, and dark earth.
Air resistance is exactly how daddy likes it. This factor alone makes or breaks a cigar for me. I’ve tossed countless cigars in the trash because airflow was either like a flattened straw (that the PerfecDraw couldn’t fix) or because it was like sucking on a tailpipe.
Flavors open up with some potent black pepper mixed with bright and frootsie tootsie prunes. This is my third cigar, and the experience has been straight down the line consistent.
Half an inch in, there is Bavarian pretzel. I can almost taste the tiny salt crystals as well as that pumpernickel sweetness. This baby wastes zero time going for the narglies and its sidecars. The char line is as sharp as my always drunk Uncle Zedekiah explaining how the universe needs more Krispy Kreme franchises…and less Arby’s.
The strength is medium/full out of the gate. But the nicotine level is very low.
And here’s a heads up…even with food in the gut, I smoked my previous sticks in portions once I got to the second half. I could not huff and puff like a deranged street walker on the clock. I’d put it down for 10 minutes and then continue to serpentine. And not once, after several relights, was there any hint of tarriness or bitterness. The blend kept its funk.
An inch into the cigar, there is deep earthiness, complexity, soft transitions, and a perfect 50/50 of sweet v. savory.
Pumpernickel bread slathered with black raisins, honey, salt crunchies, chocolate malted milk, sharp cedar, roasted pine nuts, and tart unami.
And then as I close in at the end of the first half, the blend doubles down on the mysterious quality called richness. It floods my palate with good vibrations. I rarely use the term mouth feel because it seems goofy. There isn’t a corner in my mouth that doesn’t experience varying degrees of sensations. I’m able to stop puffing and just savor the flavors. They linger beautifully. I can’t believe this is a $10 cigar.
And so far, the strength is more than manageable. Zero nicotine.
After being mercilessly hacked 6 years ago, I decided to try joining Facebook again. While it is a dying platform, it has allowed me to reconnect with old friends. I found a Curved Air Fans group. After I joined, I discovered that the moderators are Curved Air. Uh oh…jump back. Have Sonja and Darryl read what I’ve written? I posted a bunch of photos never before published that got everyone’s attention. I had no idea that the band had so many die-hard fans. All very nice people. So far, the dynamic duo are ignoring me. I guess what I’ve written got back to them. I’m still waiting on my royalties.
The 250th is a grown-up cigar for full-fledged pleasure seekers. It is extremely sophisticated. It’s going to age beautifully. I bought a bunch of fivers so I can put them away in my secret humidor whose location is far afield and under the surveillance of Special Forces Ferrets.
The second half shows its wares. I feel the strength now as my nutsack weaves itself around my right ankle. Dragging it behind me and I risk the cat showing extreme prejudice for shaving its ass on multiple Jewish holidays.
Writing a review of a cigar whose sole purpose is a gateway to introduce you to the weekly Krazy Katman Bargain Basement special is superfluous, but as I am under contract to Cigar Page, I must earn their gift of a pallet of Slim Jim gift baskets delivered bi-monthly.
At age 10, to further humiliate me after forcing me to take accordion lessons, I was sent off to tap dance school. My teacher was a tiny old man named Percy Venable. He was arranger and right-hand man to Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong in the 30’s and 40’s. I learned to love it proving that it was one more step to turn me gay no matter the price. I can still flounce with the best of them despite that ankle thing I mentioned earlier.
The flavors are now canonized in the second half. The only transitions are its depth perception and rich, rich broadened flavor points. There is erudition, layers, and the simplicity of enjoying a good cigar.
This is not a morning cigar. Unless you have an extremely hairy chest and back. As an after-dinner smoke, it is perfect. It would pair easily with a brandy. The blend reminds me of a cross between Dunbarton Barba Amarilla and Padron 1926. This is, by far, the best Raymond Pages blend.
This cigar will be in my last top 25 list. I highly recommend that you buy enough so that you can satisfy your inner impatience but also be able to hide some away for later.
So now, please visit Krazy Katman’s Bargain Basement page at Cigar Page. Instead of $10 per cigar, you get it for the low-down price of $6.40. A month ago, I bought a box and paid the sale price of $88. Boxes are not available because of the frenzy, but the fivers are. Don’t be a schmuck. This is a solid purchase. You’re going to get yours, smoke one, and say…”Shit. I should have bought more.”
RATING: 97
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Is your advice tax deductable? Since my supply of Cubans has virtually dried up, I have gotten some very good tips from you & Unco B, especially the Manzanita, Espada, Amar & the Dime Bank, which I hope reappears soon. I gotta try these all American smokes, I havent had one since the long gone Munimaker that was all Connecticut leaf. Thanks for finding me some cigars worth smoking that do not come from the crumbling Cuban Cigar industry
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Just when I thought I was going to be like so many live music acts at a certain state fair and take a pass on all the semiquincentennial stuff, along comes an offer I can’t refuse. Too bad nobody in the cigar business is blessed with the gift of clairvoyance. I’d have bought several spray on poly lined boxes of the candela wrapped Agua Verde piramides that nobody made.
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