The Bocock Brothers have carved a niche in the cigar world with their dedication to quality and innovative blends. Following a look into their company through the “Taking It To The Nub” show featuring Douglas and Bryant Bocock, this review focuses on a standout from their A World Traveler Collection: the Connecticut. Building on a previous review of the Maduro, this exploration aims to dissect the nuances of the Connecticut Robusto, diving into its construction, flavor profile, and overall smoking experience.
The Bocock Brothers website describes this cigar as:
“This Connecticut cigar was the first of the collection. The pursuit for the perfect mild cigar gave shape to this delightful creation. It boasts an impeccable balance of wood, leather & spice. Its decadent Connecticut wrapper is combined with a Costa Rican binder and a blend of Honduran & Nicaraguan long-fillers. A true winner; it is smooth & creamy with notes of vanilla and peppery spice.“
The specific blend is composed of:
- Wrapper: Honduras
- Binder: Costa Rica
- Filler: Honduras/Nicaragua
A key distinction to note is the Honduran origin of the Connecticut wrapper. While some sources may mistakenly identify it as USA Connecticut, Bocock Brothers utilizes a unique Honduran-grown Connecticut leaf, adding to the cigar’s distinctive character.
The World Traveler Connecticut is available in three vitolas, all packaged in boxes of 20:
- Robusto (5 x 50) – MSRP $9.50
- Toro (6 x 52) – MSRP $9.60
- Churchill (7 x 48) – MSRP $9.70
This review is based on a sample of three Robusto cigars provided by the company.
Pre-Light Impressions
The Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto presents a firm and well-constructed appearance. Its medium tan wrapper is smooth, exhibiting a subtle oily sheen and minimal veining. The cigar is finished with a neatly applied cap.
Close-up of the Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar, showcasing its smooth, medium-tan wrapper and well-applied cap.
Echoing the design of its Maduro counterpart, the Connecticut features two bands, this time employing a white, gold, and black color scheme. The primary band prominently displays the company logo, while the secondary band identifies it as part of the “WORLD TRAVELER” collection.
Detail of the Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar bands, highlighting the company logo and "WORLD TRAVELER" designation.
Prior to lighting, the cigar’s foot emitted a slightly pungent aroma of fermented leaf. The barrel, however, offered a more subtle scent.
A straight cut across the shoulder revealed a cold draw with a comfortable level of resistance, delivering flavors of butter and a mild red pepper spice.
Smoking Experience: A Journey Through Flavors
Igniting the foot with a cedar spill, the initial puffs introduced a peppery spice alongside a hint of cedar, setting the stage for the smoking experience.
Image of the Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar in the early stages of smoking, displaying a solid white ash and thin, even burn line.
Close-up view of the Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar, highlighting the solid white ash formation and the initial burn characteristics.
The ash formation on the Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar, showing its solid white color and overall structure.
Progression of the burn line on the Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar, showcasing its evenness and consistent char.
The Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar with a long ash, revealing the construction and burn quality of the cigar.
Image of the smoke emanating from the Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar, indicating a smooth and medium-volume smoke production.
Further progression of the burn on the Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto cigar, highlighting the ash and overall smoking experience.
The flavor profile evolved throughout the smoke:
- Early notes of cedar and pepper spice paved the way.
- The cedar became more prominent, while the pepper softened.
- A butter cracker aroma emerged from the foot.
- A natural tobacco sweetness developed, creating a harmonious balance.
- Dry fruit notes appeared, adding another layer of complexity.
- Dark chocolate notes enriched the experience in the middle third.
- The aroma transitioned to a syrupy sweetness.
- Lingering fruit notes persisted.
- Spice notes intensified towards the final third.
The cigar exhibited a medium strength and burned for a total of 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Final Thoughts: A Connecticut Worth Exploring
The Bocock Brothers World Traveler Connecticut Robusto proved to be a highly enjoyable smoke, defined by its balanced flavors and medium strength. Its initial profile of cedar, butter cracker, and natural sweetness was immediately engaging. While not overly complex, the cigar offered excellent transitions and nuanced notes in both flavor and aroma, establishing itself as one of the more refined Connecticut offerings. The construction was solid, highlighted by an impressive ash and a mostly consistent burn line. Exploring this blend in the Churchill vitola is certainly appealing. This is a box-worthy cigar, earning a solid rating of 95.
Point Deductions: (-1) Mild Wave in Burn; (-1) Slightly Off-Centered Burn Cone
Bonus Points: (+1) Buy a Box; (+1) Enjoyable and Consistent across Multiple Samples; (+1) Long Ash
