After having a few disagreements with what the folks at Cigar Aficionado did with their Top 25 Cigars of 2013, I have to say their bargain list for this year is much more agreeable. The first thing I like about the list is the fact that we have six of them available in our humidors. If you are a frequent shopper at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, you will have no problem finding Arturo Fuente Short Story (93), Perla del Mar “P”(90), Perla del Mar “G”(88), Brick House Churchill (90), Nub Connecticut 460 (89), and Padron Churchill Maduro (88) during your next visit.

The criterion to make this list of great deals is that the cigar must be rated no lower than 88 and must not retail for more than $6. I can’t anything bad to say about any of these cigars, and I have personally reviewed the Perla del Mar’s in a previous blog. I would like to have seen a few other cigars make the list, but no real complaints to report. Another cool thing about this list is that it gets the juices flowing and encourages me to put together my own bargain list of 2013. I won’t be doing that today, as you will have to stay tuned for that. I will call upon the palate of ABC’s other tobacconist, Steve “Big Mungo” Mungeer to assist me in compiling a roster of “must smokes.”

What I am going to do today is revisit one of the cigars on this list and add my own review. I will be giving the Nub Connecticut 460 from Oliva a test drive.  This cigar was created by Sam Leccia. Sam, formerly of Oliva and currently making cigars on his own, did an excellent job of getting this blend just right. The binder and filler is all Nicaraguan, while the wrapper is Ecuadorian Connecticut seed. What makes this blend so great is the fact that it allows the wrapper to be the star of the show.  Even the strength of the Nicaraguan tobacco tightly packed into this little monster can’t muddy the toasty and nutty flavors of the Ecuadorian cloud-shaded leaf.

The first thing that strikes me about the cigar is how easy it is to light and just how well it burns. When you have a cigar that is 4 inches long, it’s imperative that you get it toasted and lit properly. There’s not a lot of room to get things corrected. Fortunately, these little guys are so well-constructed that touchups are rarely needed and if the cigar does require one it is most likely due to operator error. Don’t let this cigar fool you into thinking it’s a 30 minute smoke. Sure, you can choke it down quickly—but if you relax and take your time, this cigar can last for well over an hour.

The flavors in this cigar don’t change much throughout the smoking experience. There is lots of rich, creamy smoke from start to finish. This cigar never gets harsh even after it gets well beyond the band. I love the nutty characteristic that is so prevalent in Connecticut seed tobacco that is grown in Ecuador. Absent from it is the grassiness that I often encounter in its American cousin, as the woodsy flavors shine through. The Nicaraguan filler gives this cigar its medium body, but the power is muted enough where this one can be enjoyed with a morning cup of coffee. Since I chose to smoke this one late at night, I paired it with a nice IPA.

No matter what you decide to accompany this masterfully blended cigar, I am certain that you will enjoy the experience. Oh, and keep your camera ready. This cigar will provide you with some of the coolest long ash pics you will ever take.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits North Florida Regional Manager. Certified Tobacconist and Cicerone Beer Server. Follow me on Twitter @abccigarchris.