AshMap
Overview
There is a particular kind of confidence that comes from a cigar which knows exactly what it is. The Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto does not posture, does not chase trends, and does not pretend to be a ligero bomb in a Connecticut suit. Instead, it arrives as a silky golden straw parejo — minimal tooth, dry satin sheen — and proceeds to deliver one of the most coherent, quietly elegant Connecticut experiences available at any price. The 'Double Connecticut' designation is not marketing flourish; it is the architectural decision that defines the blend, using Connecticut-seed leaf in both wrapper and binder to create a throughline of sweetness and cream that single-wrapper Connecticuts rarely achieve. This is General Cigar's smartest mainstream move in the Connecticut category in years, and at under $11 a stick, it embarrasses premium-tier competitors three times its price.
Pre-light, the wrapper offers a faint hay sweetness and a whisper of cedar — no pepper, no ammonia, just clean tobacco. The cold draw is open and effortless, delivering toasted almond and a trace of fresh cream. Upon lighting, the first third opens with a clean, creamy sweetness anchored by fresh cream and toasted almonds. Light cedar and hay notes emerge mid-way through the first third, with a pleasant pastry-like quality on retrohale — think warm croissant, not sugar cookie. Pepper is almost absent, making this approachable from the first draw without ever feeling thin or underpowered.
The second third gains gentle complexity: cashew, light honey, and dried grass enter the frame. A subtle floral note — white tea or chamomile — weaves through the mid-section, lifting the profile without disrupting its creamy core. The creaminess never fully departs, acting as a consistent throughline without becoming monotonous. Construction remains impeccable: the draw is open and effortless without being loose, delivering generous, creamy smoke volume. The burn line is razor-even, producing a firm, chalk-white ash that holds 1–1.5 inches before releasing cleanly.
The final third finishes with a slightly warmer, earthier tone — mild leather and white pepper emerge on the retrohale. The sweetness recedes to a gentle vanilla finish. Construction heat remains controlled even at the nub, keeping the smoke clean and pleasant to the end. At 4.5 x 54, this is a 45–55 minute smoke — ideal for a morning session, a lunch break, or any occasion where time is limited but quality is non-negotiable. The Nicaraguan Jalapa binder and Jalapa/Estelí long-fillers, aged a minimum of two years, provide a quiet backbone that supports the Connecticut wrapper rather than competing with it. This is not a beginner's cigar by accident — it is a refined, intentionally mild cigar that rewards the seasoned smoker who wants elegance over horsepower.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — Natural |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan Jalapa |
| Filler | Nicaraguan Jalapa and Estelí long-fillers, aged minimum 2 years |
| Country of Origin | Estelí, Nicaragua — produced at General Cigar's HATSA factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Short Robusto |
| Size | 4.5 x 54 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $8–$11 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobacco aged approximately 2 years prior to rolling; limited post-production aging noted |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
Opens with a clean, creamy sweetness anchored by fresh cream and toasted almonds. Light cedar and hay notes emerge mid-way through the first third, with a pleasant pastry-like quality on retrohale. Pepper is almost absent — very approachable from the first draw.
Second Third
The profile gains gentle complexity with notes of cashew, light honey, and dried grass. A subtle floral note — white tea or chamomile — weaves through the mid-section. The creaminess never fully departs, acting as a consistent throughline without becoming monotonous.
Final Third
Finishes with a slightly warmer, earthier tone — mild leather and white pepper emerge on the retrohale. The sweetness recedes to a gentle vanilla finish. Construction heat remains controlled even at the nub, keeping the smoke clean and pleasant to the end.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is impeccable for its price tier — the draw is open and effortless without being loose, delivering generous, creamy smoke volume. The burn line is razor-even, producing a firm, chalk-white ash that holds 1–1.5 inches before releasing cleanly.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Light rum or a gentle Tennessee whiskey — George Dickel No. 12 or Flor de Caña 4 Year aged white rum complement the cream and almond notes without overpowering the delicate wrapper character.
Wine
Unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy or the Mâconnais — a Mâcon-Villages works beautifully — or a dry Prosecco Superiore to echo the floral and creamy components.
Non-Alcoholic
A lightly roasted single-origin Ethiopian pour-over or a chamomile honey tea — both mirror the floral sweetness and keep the palate fresh between draws.
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a seasoned smoker on a Saturday morning, coffee in hand, with exactly fifty minutes before the day's obligations begin. They have smoked their share of full-bodied Nicaraguans and complex Cubans, but today they want clarity, not confrontation. They already enjoy a good Connecticut shade — maybe a Davidoff or a Room 101 — but they are tired of paying premium prices for a morning smoke that delivers less coherence than this $9 stick. The Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto gives them a creamy, almond-and-honey profile that never turns bitter, a razor-even burn that requires zero touch-ups, and a finish that leaves the palate refreshed rather than taxed. It is the cigar for the aficionado who understands that mild does not mean meaningless, and who wants a morning companion that respects both their palate and their schedule.
Bottom Line
The Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto is the rare bargain that smokes like a luxury — coherent, creamy, and impeccably constructed. At under $11, it outperforms Connecticuts at three times the price. Buy a box before your local shop realizes what they are selling.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Brick House Connecticut cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto a strong cigar?
No. It is rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on the strength scale. Physically, that means minimal nicotine impact — no lightheadedness, no heavy mouthfeel, and no need to smoke on a full stomach. The pepper is almost absent, and the retrohale is gentle enough for smokers who typically avoid it.
What does Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto taste like?
The first third delivers fresh cream, toasted almonds, light cedar, and hay with a pastry-like retrohale. The second third adds cashew, light honey, dried grass, and a white tea or chamomile floral note. The final third shifts to mild leather, white pepper on the retrohale, and a gentle vanilla finish.
How long does Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto take to smoke?
At 4.5 x 54, this Short Robusto delivers a 45–55 minute smoke. The open draw and even burn keep it on the faster side of that range if you puff steadily, but the controlled heat means you can slow down without risking bitterness.
What is the best pairing for Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto?
A lightly oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy or the Mâconnais — a Mâcon-Villages works beautifully — echoes the creamy and floral components without overpowering the delicate wrapper. For spirits, George Dickel No. 12 Tennessee whiskey or Flor de Caña 4 Year aged white rum complements the cream and almond notes.
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto good for beginners?
Yes, with a caveat. The Mild-Medium strength and absent pepper make it physically approachable for new smokers, and the $8–$11 price means it is not a costly mistake. However, the refined, subtle flavor profile is best appreciated by someone who has already developed a palate for Connecticut shade cigars.
Where can I buy Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto?
This cigar is sold at premium tobacco retailers, including brick-and-mortar cigar shops, online retailers like Famous Smoke Shop and Cigars International, and select liquor stores with humidors. It is a mainstream General Cigar product, so availability is generally excellent.
What is the price of Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto?
Expect to pay $8–$11 per cigar, depending on your retailer and local taxes. At that price, it competes directly with premium Connecticuts that often cost $25–$35 per stick.
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto worth aging?
Not particularly. The tobacco is already aged approximately two years prior to rolling, and the Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper is delicate — extended aging risks muting its creamy, floral character. Smoke these fresh or within a year of purchase for the best experience.
What wrapper does Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper — silky golden straw in color, with minimal tooth and a dry satin sheen. This wrapper contributes the cigar's signature creaminess, almond sweetness, and absence of pepper.
Where is Brick House Double Connecticut Short Robusto made?
It is produced in Estelí, Nicaragua, at General Cigar's HATSA factory. The blend uses Nicaraguan Jalapa binder and Jalapa/Estelí long-fillers, all aged a minimum of two years before rolling.