When Brian and I were first chatting we thought this was a new cigar from Pete Johnson which it is not. The name very similar to the Tatuaje La Verite and the Veritas cigar band colors are very similar to La Verite cigar band colors. However after a little research we got it all cleared up and found out it’s a new cigar company who’s cigars are manufactured by Blue Mountain Cigars out of Miami.

At the time of this review not too much information exists on the Veritas Connecticut. On Veritas Cigars Facebook page there is nothing and on their website there is nearly no information on their cigars and no information at all on the Connecticut stick. So as far as company and cigar background I am having to wing it a bit.

Quick Info

Company: Veritas Cigars
Website: http://veritascigars.com/

Cigar: Connecticut Shade – Robusto 5×50
Origin: Esteli – Nicaragua

Pre-Light

The Veritas Connecticut construction is pretty good, however I had some minor complaints the first: the cap is a little sloppy and the second: left over glue on the wrapper. I do like the label which is pretty simple but classy. So with the little research I was able to find, I found out they draw test all their cigars which made me want to use the Wolf v-cutter on this stick. After cutting and lighting it I found the draw to be a little tight which may mean it needs a traditional cut.

First Third

The flavor notes at first were: mild pepper, mild hint of cedar and a bit of sweetness. The burn was wavy, with the smoke aroma being a sweet woody smell.

Second Third

The flavor notes order changed a bit and were: sugary ,light cedar and light pepper. The burn started to even out, with the smoke aroma having a woody, mild ammonia smell.

Final Third

The flavor notes order again changed a bit and were: medium pepper, bit of sweetness and hints of cedar. The burn almost evened out completely but not quite there. Unfortunately with about an inch left the Veritas got harsh and it seemed the nicotine levels bumped up a bit with my heart starting to race.

Summary

For me the first and second third of the Veritas was pretty enjoyable with light to medium nicotine levels and pretty well balanced flavors. The final third to me was a let down in that the strength kept rising and then getting harsh to the point where I had to put it out. While I am not really a Connecticut fan, if this cigar does end up in the $5-$6 range I would buy it even with a bad ending.  As for everyone else if you are a Connecticut fan this may be a good cigar for you to check out and would be interested in how this cigar ends for you.

Gallery

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Sorry the pictures are a little fuzzy I tried to take a shortcut and took them with my camera phone.

Smoking the Angelinos 2009 Lonsdale.

http://www.stogieshow.com/

Cigar breakfast at Cigar Castle with omelets, waffles and cappuccino.

CigaRobbie radio show now.

Chapel Cigars grand opening tonight!

To me this is a great smoke with a buttery leather flavor. Check out my pics below, quick review to follow soon!

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Quick Review

The Cabinet Series was introduced in 1997 and and this is the latest introduction to the series. The wrapper had a very light sheen and had a very firm feel. The draw was easy with some good smoke volume. After lighting the Perdomo Cabinet Series LTD Maduro 10th Anniversary the burn was very wavy with notes of Cocoa, Grass, Cream and a faint Spice to it. The second third still had a lot of unevenness to the burn with notes of Cream and strong spice. The final third again had some unevenness to the burn and had notes of Strong Spice and Coffee.

Flavors
Pre-light – Chocolate / Coffee
1/3 – Sweetness / Grass /Cream / Faint Spice
2/3 – Cream / Strong Spice
Last Third – Strong Spice / Coffee

Details
Purchased: Cigar Castle ( 2/18/2010 )
Price: $6.00
Origin: Nicaraguan Puro
Wrapper: Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan
Shape: Epicure Toro
Length: 6″
Gauge: 54
Strength: Medium – Bodied / Medium Strength

Overall

I would have to say skip this one being that it was a little boring in complexity.

Extras
Nicotine Levels: Light – Medium
Smoked: Outside
Temperature:  79 Degrees
Humidity: 82%
Website: http://perdomocigars.com/

David (Cigar Estate), Joe (Cugine Cigars)

Joe showing me the differences between the red and gold labels.

Thanks to Joe R. Gannascoli of Cugine Cigars & Scott of SoHo Cigars for putting this event on.

Also thanks to Valori for taking the photos!

David (Cigar Estate), Sam (Cheap Humidors / CigaRobbie Radio Show), Alan Rubin (Alex Bradley) & Russ

Tampa Cigar Radio Hosts / Bloggers

Top Row: Robbie (CigaRobbie Radio Show), Tom (Tampa Cigar Examiner), Nikki, Pedro (Tampa Cigar Club), Dave (Cigar Sage), David (Cigar Estate)

Lower Row: Sam (Cheap Humidors / CigaRobbie Radio Show), Anthony (FrugalCigarSnob)

The best two first…  Since they blew me away!

Jose Seijas

I was introduced to this cigar a few years ago by a friend in Seattle who said it was one of the best cigars he had ever had. While it was a little pricey I gave it a try and was sold back then. This Figurado Seijas was purchased from Tampa Humidor Feb. 7th 2010 for $15.00. Not cheap but every Seijas I have had has always been a great smoke. With a medium body and super smooth super clean and flavors of cedar and floral notes, I would have no problems recommending this cigar to anyone.

Full Gallery:

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La Flor Dominican Ligero

The La Flor Dominicana Ligero was a cigar I was not expecting to much from at all. I have had draw problems in the past with the LFD’s and have never really been excited to smoke them. This one may have changed my mind on that all together. After smoking a few different box press LFD’s in the past couple weeks I have slowly been changing my mind about the La Flor Dominicana brand. With a great draw the LFD Ligero starts very similar to a Cain draw which is a real strong notes of pepper and leather except the LFD Ligero eases right off and becomes super smooth. I would have to say this is a cigar I will be picking up again and would recommend to anyone who would like to try a super toned down Cain. I purchased this one at the Cigar Castle one night in mid April after work with a couple others and having trouble tracking down the receipt for the exact price.

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Cain Habano (Black Label)

The Cain F is one of my favorites and while in my opinion it isn’t for someone who doesn’t smoke frequently this is an amazing smoke if you like strong peppery cigars. I purchased this again at Cigar Castle for $7.99 on 3/25/2010. Pretty average price these days and good value for quality tobacco.

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Frank Llaneza

Now while I have been wanting to try this one for at least 6 months and since Frank had passed a couple months ago I figured it was time to pick one up. As soon as I lit this cigar I was disappointed. It tasted like whoever rolled the cigar dropped some cigar ash that they were smoking inside. It had charcoal notes from my first puff to the middle where I was forced to put it out due to it being absolutely horrible. While I will give this another try since I can only imagine this being a fluke I cannot recommend it to anyone currently. I purchased this one at SoHo Cigars a few weeks ago and will go grab another one this week.

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Drew Estates Liga Privada T52

Now I have been accused by friends for being a Drew Estate fan boy and still think the Acid line is a great way to get friends into cigars in general. My cigar first box purchase was the Acid Kuba Kuba that a buddy and me went through in a little over a week. On the other hand I have always questioned the tobacco used in Drew Estate cigars being that it always seemed like they were being covered by oils or natural flavors. This isn’t my first introduction to the Liga Privada and the first time I thought the cigar was double the price of what it should be. To me the tobacco is a little bitter and needs some more time aging especially before it can even start to belong in this premiere price range. I purchased the Liga Privada T52 at Cigar Castle for $11.49 on 3/25/2010. I personally can’t recommend this one to anyone unless Drew Estates was to cut the price in half.

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Other cigars smoked over the past couple weeks were:

- San Cristobal Selección Del Sol

- Don Pepin Cuban Classic

- CAO La Traviata

-  Siglo Limited Reserve VI – Will do a full review soon

- Oliva Serie O Maduro- Will do a full review soon

- Gurkha Ancient Warrior