PDR Cigars Revamping Connecticut Valley Reserve For Fall

PDR Cigars is reblending and revamping its Connecticut Valley Reserve line for the fall, with the same basic blend offered in two varieties, with each getting two sizes and one noticeable difference when it comes to the wrapper.

Both blends will use a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper, Nicaraguan habano binder from Jalapa, and a filler of Dominican corojo and Nicaraguan criollo from Condega. However, the Azul will wear a lighter wrapper that comes from the seco and viso portions of the plant and provides a lighter flavor profile, while the Roja will wear a darker maduro leaf from the ligero section, the top third of a tobacco plant which offers generally stronger and more flavorful tobacco.

The Azul and Roja will be offered in the same two sizes, a 5 x 52 robusto priced at $22.50 and a 6 x 54 gran toro priced at $26.50, with individual boxes offering 19 cigars. Abe Flores told halfwheel that he is starting with two vitolas, a suggestion that there could be more to come in the future. They will also wear new bands and come in updated boxes.

As far as when they will arrive at stores, Flores said that a limited amount will be available for select retailers in the U.S. as well as his distributors in Europe and Asia. He is hoping to do a full release in November, but acknowledged that may be delayed depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve debuted in 2015 as a limited edition and was released in four sizes, all of which were priced at $16 or more, making it the company’s ultra-premium offering at the time. A fifth size would be added as a store exclusive in Oct. 2018. In Jan. 2017, the company added the Flores y Rodriguez Connecticut Valley Reserve Gen2, a modified blend of the original.

Images courtesy of Abe Flores/PDR Cigars.