Having recently reviewed (and loved) the 1675 EdiciónAzul, I am quite anxious to see what this cigar has to offer. I am quite picky about Connecticut shade cigars. When I smoke a Connecticut shade cigar it's usually because I want something a bit easier on the palate with some classic Connecticut flavors of grassiness, nuts, toast, and cream. I do not like super classic, mild Connecticuts. However, I also do not like the trend of trying to make bold, strong, “not your grandfather’s” Connecticut cigars.
The Lampert Cigars 1675 Edición Rojo is the latest brand released by Lampert Cigars. Like the 1675 Edición Azul, this Rojo is produced at Fabricas AGROTOBACOS in Nicaragua and contains Ortez Family fillers from the Jalapa and Condega Valleys. These are touted as:
“Medium-bodied, full flavored cigar specifically blended to Stefan’s specifications embodying the complex, delicious and rich flavor experience he was searching for in a Connecticut shade cigar.”
Country of Origin: Nicaragua
Factory: Fabricas AGROTOBACOS
Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua (Jalapa & Condega)
Vitola: 5 x 50 Robusto
Price: $12.00 MSRP
Release Date: March 2022
Company Website: www.lampertcigars.com
Expectations
I am expecting something along the lines of a “not your grandfather’s” Connecticut experience, but not in an “in your face” way. I anticipate a fuller body and flavor with mild to medium strength. There will likely be some earthy, peppery, and woody flavors but with some nuts, cream, and that subtle Connecticut shade grassiness.
Prelight Characteristics
I’m not crazy about the red against the light, shade wrapper. The wrapper itself feels like satin, but it’s not a super clean Connecticut wrapper. That being said, I like that it has character. The cigar smells a bit musty and vegetal and the cold draw has a sweet nuttiness to it and some cream.
First Third
Right off the get it’s full body and flavor. It’s toasty, nutty, has some nice baking spices and a touch of slight grassy bitterness. The retrohale has some grit to it. There’s earth, a little pepper, and some toast as well. It’s off to a good start. About a ¼” in some vanilla is showing up on the finish. Nearing the end of the first third the flavor and body are down to medium to medium-full. I’m still getting toast and nuts upfront with slight grassiness on the finish. The vanilla is in and out along with some cream.
Second Third
Getting into the second third there’s some pepper reappearing, but subtly. The vanilla is still in and out. The retrohale is showing more vanilla and maybe a touch of oak to it. It’s a quite nice combination on the retrohale. Around halfway the smoke has a very full mouthfeel. It’s still toasty, nutty, and grassy. The cream and vanilla are there and then not. These flavors hang on throughout this third. The performance of this cigar has been perfect so far.
Final Third
The final kicks off with the pepper picking up and more earthiness coming back into frame. It’s still toasty and the vanilla is more of a caramel sweetness now. The cigar is starting to transition to a more overall earth and wood forward profile. There’s a little pepper spice and some grassiness hanging in there as well. Coming to an end the only thing to really note is the grassiness is picking up a touch. The cigar performed great all the way through.
Overall Experience
I would say this cigar was quite enjoyable. I thought the profile picked a lane and stayed in it throughout the first couple thirds. There was virtually no transitioning or deviation in those thirds, however, there was a nice depth and balance to the flavors presented. I specifically enjoyed the vanilla, especially alongside the toast (as I always enjoy toast in a profile). Then when the retrohale paired oak and vanilla, that was an attention getter. The final third brought about the only significant transition as the profile became more earthy, woody, and peppery. The end also saw a little more grassiness than I prefer but it wasn’t too much. As for performance, after an hour and 52 minutes of smoking, I have no complaints. I personally think this was a well done cigar, and I think it compliments the Edición Azul in the 1675 lineup.
Try the cigar yourself at Small Batch Cigars and let me know what you think! Use code “Whiskey” to get 10% off your entire order. Plus, sign up and begin earning 5% back in rewards points with each purchase.
Feel free to reach out to me with questions, concerns, criticisms, or just to talk at @guitarsandcigarsfarm on Instagram, or via email at trevor@whiskeyandwhitetails.com.