Aganorsa leaf adds a new offering to the successful Anniversario line with a Connecticut shade wrapper. This addition is the third in the series following the Maduro and Corojo which originally was called the Casa Fernandez Anniversario Corojo.

“The Aniversario Series is our Ultra-Premium expression of Aganorsa,” states Terence Reilly, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Between the gorgeous presentation, the beauty of the Connecticut wrapper, and the quality of the blend, we feel Aniversario Connecticut will join the Corojo and Maduro editions and become one of our best sellers.”

Under the Lid:

The Aganorsa Leaf Anniversario Connecticut Toro is presented in a deep rich blue box, with white lettering, and accented silver lettering. The cigar itself is wrapped in a opaque thick cellophane like body and foot band with the Aganorsa logo in silver, and a secondary band with two emblems, and a main band has the flex with leaf, and Aganorsa with Anniversario in silver. The wrapper was a nice light golden brown, very thin veins, and smooth wrapper seam. There are very thin veins and a nicely applied cap.

• Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade
• Binder: Nicaragua Criollo 98
• Filler: Nicaragua Corojo
• Country of Origin: Nicaragua
• Vitola: 6 1/4 X 52 Toro
• Factory: Aganorsa
• Release Date: July 2023
• Number of Cigars Release: Regular Production
• MSRP: $15.50 ($155 for a box of 10)

The cold draw gives notes of fig and mild pepper, the foot has aromas of pepper and fig, and the wrapper has aromas of musty socks and cherry. The cigar itself is a mild trunk press with nice rounded corners and nothing too angular.

Performance Notes:

First Third: The Aganorsa Anniversario Connecticut Toro opens up with a wave of black pepper spice, followed by some earth, leather, mild fig-like sweetness, and a hint of red bell pepper. The finish is offering me with a bit of overwhelming woodiness that seems to be slightly drying out the palate and I am reaching for my water a bit during these first few puffs. As the first third developes the profile really falls into the pocket and the black pepper spice that was quite upfront falls back a bit and allows the other flavor notes like earth, dark fruit sweetness, toasted cedar, and mild leather to play a bit more into the profile. There is no longer a lingering drying finish but it still is a bit of cedar, and leather. The retrohale offers an added layer of pepper spice slightly different from what’s offered on the palate, and a mild generic tobacco sweetness as well.

Second Third: This third continues with a similar profile as the last continuing a nice complexity of pepper spice, creamy toasted cedar, mild stewed dark fruit, earth, and mild leather. The pepper and toasted cedar take turns being at the front of the profile stimulating the sides of the mouth and right down the middle of the tongue.. The mild stewed dark fruit, earth and leather stick to the background of the profile and compliment each puff giving nice complexity during the experience. The retrohale still offers a consistent pepper spice, and mild sweetness. The rest of this third performs very consistently with only the slightest bit of a vegetal note creeping in during the last few puffs.

Final Third: The final third brings forward the creamy toasted cedar, and the pepper spice starts to fade a bit more into the background, the sweetness fades in and out during each puffsand is not as easy to pick up. As this third develops there is a mild char note that creeps but is not overwhelming in any way. The retrohale definitely adds a bit more bite compared to the first two thirds so I find myself doing it a bit less than before. The mild drying effect on the finish does come back during the last few puffs of this third.

Core Flavors: Cedar, Pepper Spice, Earth, Leather, Stewed Fruit, Creaminess

Strength: Medium+

Body: Medium – Medium+

Complextiy: Medium+

Smokin Experience: The Aganorsa Anniversario Connecticut Toro starts out with a blast of pepper spice that really awakens the palate and sinuses, but quickly falls into its stride with great flavors that work well together. The nice balance of wood, sweetness, and earth keep the smoking experience intriguing for most of the cigar and it only really loses a bit of its complexity during the final few puffs. In terms of construction I had no issues with the draw, and no relights or touchups for any of the samples. I did have a cracked wrapper of all samples after taking off the bands, which may have been my fault, but I did find the bands difficult to remove and needed to fight them for a bit. Even with that, there was no drop off in flavor and the burn did not require any touch ups or relights during that process even with the cracks. I think this cigar would be a great transition for those mild connecticut smokers that want to get into something stronger, but still want those familiar flavor notes. As well as a person who smokes bold dark cigars who might want to give ecudaor connecticut shade another chance.

Purchase Recommendation: Grab a fiver

Smokin Facts:

• The cigar is only offered in two vitolas, and are both lightly trunk pressed
• The anniversario line oringally debut under the name Casa Fernandez Anniversario Corojo, but was rebranded in 2021
• Aganorsa Leaf has been rebranding and revamping a lot of their packaging away from the classic brown wood box, and incorporating tons of new fun colors to new brands, and old.

Smokin Wrap:

Cigars Smoked for review: 2

Average Smoking Time: 2 hours and 3 minutes

Score: 90

Mitchell Santaga – Product Reviews

Mitchell Santaga started his journey into tobacco in 2010 by trying different flavored and machine-made cigars while enjoying a handle of Jack Daniels. Shortly after that he yearned for a more premium experience and dove headfirst into pipe tobacco that his local tobacconist blended, and shortly after started trying premium cigars.