Micallef Connecticut Londres

In 2022, Micallef released a new sampler made up of 16 cigars—two each of the company’s eight different core-line blends—rolled in the same 5 x 40 corona vitola. The Micallef Collectors Edition carried an MSRP of $128 and was made to commemorate the 80th birthday of company founder Al Micallef; in fact, the inclusion of the eight different blends is meant to represent 80 years. While none of the blends in the sampler were new, none of those same lines had the 5 x 40 corona size.

“We believe we’re at the beginning of a trend toward smaller vitolas,” said Dan Thompson, president of Micallef Cigars, in a press release. “Your Toros and Robustos are staples. But, with people going back to the office, challenging weather patterns, and the economic downturn, consumer behavior is shifting. With the Collectors Edition, we’ve doubled down on the Londres format.”

One of the eight blends was the Micallef Connecticut Londres, which is made up of an Ecuadorian Connecticut-seed wrapper covering a Nicaraguan habano binder along with filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. The Connecticut line also includes three other vitolas: a 5 x 52 robusto, a 6 x 52 toro and a 6 x 60 gordo.

Here is what I wrote about the Micallef Connecticut Londres in my first review back in February 2023:

If I had to use one word to describe the Micallef Connecticut Londres to someone who had not yet smoked it, it would be surprising. From the combination of the persistently aggressive spice on my tongue to the medium-full strength, the blend easily kept me guessing from the first puff to the last. Of course, that does not mean there are no issues; while the profile was full of distinct flavors, the amount of spice does become a bit overwhelming in the final third, and the floral sweetness that made the first third so enjoyable was significantly reduced by the end of the cigar, resulting in an impact on the overall balance. In the end, those looking for a punch of flavor, spice and strength in a smaller vitola should absolutely seek this cigar out, but if you love milder and less aggressive profiles I would try the Reata or Reserva blends that happen to be in the same box.

• Cigar Reviewed: Micallef Connecticut Londres
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Factory: Micallef Cigars S.A.
• Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut)
• Binder: Nicaragua (Habano)
• Filler: Dominican Republic & Nicaragua
• Length: 5 Inches
• Ring Gauge: 40
• Shape: Round
• MSRP: $8 (Box of 16, $128)
• Release Date: Oct. 5, 2022
• Number of Cigars Released: Undisclosed
• Number of Cigars Smoked For Redux: 1

Visually, the Micallef Connecticut Londres is covered in a silky, smooth golden brown wrapper that lacks both overt oil and protruding veins. A physical inspection easily reveals a large soft spot on the back of the cigar just under the secondary band. Unlike the cigars from my first review, the foot is very obviously a square shape instead of anything close to round, and the entire cigar is extremely spongy when squeezed. Creamy hay leads the aromas emanating from the wrapper, followed by earth, pencil lead, barnyard and sweet breadiness. Scents from the foot include a generic nuttiness, white pepper, cardboard, herbs, nutmeg, earth and powdery cocoa nibs. Strong roasted peanuts dominate the cold draw, which also includes creamy cedar, sawdust, salted potato chips, leather tack and light honey sweetness.

A combination of overt spice and creamy hay starts the cigar off, and while the spiciness does recede a bit as the burn line continues through the first third, it remains an obvious part of the profile. The creamy hay flavor also remains at the top of the profile but after about 10 puffs, is joined by a distinct cedar note, while secondary flavors include powdery cocoa nibs, cashews, bitter espresso, cinnamon, dirt, leather and slight lemongrass. There is some noticeable white pepper on the retrohale combined with a sweetness that reminds me of orange juice, but both notes don’t seem to be getting much stronger as the first half comes to an end. The flavor is full, the body is just below medium and the strength is at a solid medium but increasing. In terms of construction, the burn line is fantastic, the draw gives me just the right amount of resistance and there is a copious amount of smoke emanating from the foot.

The profile of the Micallef Connecticut Londres becomes noticeably creamier in the second half—there is also quite a bit less spice—and while the cedar flavor remains a top flavor, the hay note has been overtaken by a sourdough bread flavor. Additional flavors of cappuccino, peanut shells, dry hay, cinnamon, earth and dark chocolate show up at various points, while a light metallic note makes itself known on the finish. The amount of white pepper and orange juice notes on the retrohale increases slightly, but both are still at a lower level than I would like. Flavor is full, while the body hits a solid medium and the strength increases enough to land at a point just over the medium mark. Once again, there are no issues at all with any aspect of construction, and it stays that way until I am finished with the cigar.