AshMap
Overview
There is a particular kind of cigar that never makes headlines but never leaves the humidor either — the one you reach for on a Tuesday morning with coffee, or hand to a friend who's just getting curious about the leaf. The Brick House Double Connecticut Toro is that cigar, and it executes the assignment with a quiet confidence that belies its price. J.C. Newman's Honduran flagship has long been the working smoker's friend, but the Double Connecticut extension reframes the conversation entirely: this is a Connecticut Shade cigar built by people who understand that elegance is a discipline, not an accident. The 'Double' in the name isn't marketing sleight-of-hand — it's a philosophical commitment to layering creaminess and natural sweetness through every stage of the blend, and the result is a smoke that feels considered rather than assembled.
Before the flame ever touches the foot, the cold draw announces the cigar's intentions: sweet cream, fresh hay, and toasted almonds arrive in a soft, almost pastoral wave. It's a promising overture, and the first third delivers on it completely. Light cedar and a whisper of white pepper on the retrohale frame a buttery, palate-coating creaminess that never tips into cloying territory. A faint floral note — something like honeysuckle — threads through the finish, giving the opening act a lift that keeps it from feeling one-dimensional. The sweetness here is genuine and agricultural, the kind that comes from properly aged Jalapa leaf rather than any added artifice.
By the midpoint, the blend finds its footing and begins to articulate a more defined personality. Toasted bread and cashew emerge alongside a gentle honey note, with mild oak providing structure underneath. The white pepper that animated the retrohale softens considerably, replaced by a pleasant cinnamon spice that lingers on the finish. Body builds very slightly — enough to remind you that this is a cigar with a pulse, but never enough to push it out of the mild-to-medium lane. It remains approachable without ever becoming bland, which is a harder trick to pull off than most blenders will admit.
The final third is where many Connecticut Shade cigars lose their nerve, either fading into nothingness or turning bitter as the heat builds. The Double Connecticut Toro does neither. Dried grass and light vanilla bean join a lingering nutty sweetness, grounded by a soft earthiness that gives the closing act weight without overwhelming the delicate Connecticut character. The finish is clean and satisfying — no harshness, no bitterness, even as the nub approaches. Construction out of the HATSA factory in Danlí is reliably excellent: an open, effortless draw producing ample smoke, an even burn line requiring minimal touch-ups, and a pale grey ash that holds firm for an inch or more. This is a cigar that respects your time and your palate in equal measure.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — Natural |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers, aged tobaccos from Jalapa and Jamastran valleys |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — J.C. Newman / HATSA factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Toro |
| Size | 6 x 50 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $9–$13 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of 2–3 years prior to rolling; no extended post-roll aging noted |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with sweet cream, hay, and toasted almonds. Once lit, the first third delivers a smooth wave of light cedar, white pepper on the retrohale, and a buttery creaminess that coats the palate. The sweetness is genuine and natural — not artificial — with a faint floral note threading through.
Second Third
The blend evolves into a more defined profile with toasted bread, cashew, and a gentle honey note emerging alongside mild oak. The pepper from the retrohale softens considerably, giving way to a pleasant cinnamon spice on the finish. Body builds very slightly but remains firmly in mild-to-medium territory — approachable but not bland.
Final Third
The final third maintains its elegance, introducing subtle notes of dried grass, light vanilla bean, and a lingering nutty sweetness. There is a soft earthiness that grounds the blend without overwhelming the delicate Connecticut character. The finish is clean and satisfying with no harshness or bitterness even as the nub approaches.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is reliably excellent out of the HATSA factory — the draw is open and effortless, producing ample smoke. The burn line is even with minimal touch-ups required, and the ash holds firm in pale grey columns for an inch or more.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Light rum (Flor de Caña 4-year Extra Dry or Mount Gay Eclipse), a mild bourbon like Maker's Mark, or a classic aged Irish whiskey such as Jameson 18-year
Wine
Unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnay (Burgundian style), a dry Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley, or a light Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian single-origin pour-over or a light Earl Grey tea with honey — avoid dark espresso roasts which will overpower the wrapper's subtlety
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a Thursday morning in late spring, the kind of day that starts cool and promises warmth by noon. You've got a medium-roast Colombian pour-over in one hand and ninety minutes of unhurried time in the other. You've been smoking for a few years — maybe you cut your teeth on Connecticuts and graduated to Habano wrappers, but lately you've been craving something that doesn't demand your full attention or punish you for sipping too fast. You want creaminess, a little cedar, a retrohale that rewards without assaulting. The Brick House Double Connecticut Toro is exactly that cigar. It won't challenge you, but it will satisfy you, and at nine to thirteen dollars a stick, you can smoke it on a Tuesday without doing mental math about your humidor budget. It's the cigar you hand to a curious friend, the one you keep a fiver of in the back corner, the one that never disappoints because it never overpromises.
Bottom Line
The Brick House Double Connecticut Toro is the rare value-tier Connecticut that doesn't embarrass itself next to cigars twice its price. J.C. Newman understood that the Connecticut Shade smoker wants creaminess and elegance — not strength — and this cigar delivers exactly that with exceptional consistency. It belongs in every humidor as a reliable guest cigar or a no-brainer morning smoke.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Brick House Connecticut cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Toro a strong cigar?
No. It's rated Mild-Medium (2/5 on the strength scale), which means you'll feel a gentle nicotine presence but nothing that will knock you back. The body builds very slightly through the second and final thirds, but it remains firmly in approachable territory throughout. If you're sensitive to nicotine, this is a safe choice; if you're a full-bodied smoker, you'll find it light but not anemic.
What does Brick House Double Connecticut Toro taste like?
The cold draw offers sweet cream, hay, and toasted almonds. The first third delivers light cedar, white pepper on the retrohale, buttery creaminess, and a faint floral note. The second third evolves into toasted bread, cashew, gentle honey, mild oak, and cinnamon spice on the finish. The final third introduces dried grass, light vanilla bean, lingering nutty sweetness, and a soft earthiness. The finish is clean with no harshness or bitterness.
How long does Brick House Double Connecticut Toro take to smoke?
Expect roughly 90 minutes for a leisurely smoke, given the 6 x 50 Toro vitola. If you're a faster puffer, you might finish in 60 to 75 minutes, but the blend rewards a slower pace — the creaminess and subtle notes open up when you don't rush the heat. It's an ideal weekday smoke or a leisurely weekend morning cigar.
What is the best pairing for Brick House Double Connecticut Toro?
For spirits, a light rum like Flor de Caña 4-year Extra Dry or Mount Gay Eclipse works beautifully, as does a mild bourbon like Maker's Mark or an aged Irish whiskey such as Jameson 18-year. Wine-wise, an unoaked or lightly oaked Burgundian-style Chardonnay, a dry Loire Valley Chenin Blanc, or a light Willamette Valley Pinot Noir complement the creaminess without overpowering it. For non-alcoholic options, a medium-roast Colombian single-origin pour-over or a light Earl Grey tea with honey are ideal — avoid dark espresso roasts, which will overwhelm the wrapper's subtlety.
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Toro good for beginners?
Yes, it's an excellent choice for new aficionados transitioning from machine-made cigars. The Mild-Medium strength (2/5) won't overwhelm, the flavor profile is approachable but not bland, and the construction is reliably excellent — an open draw and even burn make it easy to smoke without fighting the cigar. At $9–$13 per cigar, it's also affordable enough to smoke regularly while you're developing your palate.
Where can I buy Brick House Double Connecticut Toro?
This cigar is sold at premium tobacconists, cigar shops, and online retailers that carry J.C. Newman products. Look for authorized Brick House dealers or reputable online cigar merchants. Because it's a value-tier everyday smoke rather than a limited release, it's generally well-stocked and easy to find in both brick-and-mortar and online channels.
What is the price of Brick House Double Connecticut Toro?
Expect to pay between $9 and $13 per cigar, depending on your retailer and local taxes. That places it firmly in the everyday tier — affordable enough to smoke regularly without guilt, but high enough in quality that you're not sacrificing enjoyment for economy.
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Toro worth aging?
It's not necessary. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of 2–3 years prior to rolling, and there's no extended post-roll aging noted. The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper is delicate, and long-term aging risks muting its creaminess and floral notes rather than improving them. If you do age it, keep it to a year or two at most — but honestly, this is a cigar designed to be smoked fresh and enjoyed for what it is right now.
What wrapper does Brick House Double Connecticut Toro use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper — a light golden tan leaf that's silky smooth with a subtle sheen. This wrapper contributes the cigar's signature creaminess, natural sweetness, and elegant character. The 'Double Connecticut' designation refers to the double application of Connecticut Shade leaf — both as wrapper and as part of the blend construction philosophy — emphasizing creaminess and sweetness throughout.
Where is Brick House Double Connecticut Toro made?
It's hand-rolled at the HATSA (Honduran American Tobacco S.A.) factory in Danlí, Honduras, operated by J.C. Newman. The factory is known for reliable construction, and this cigar benefits from that reputation — expect an open draw, even burn, and firm ash. The blend uses Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan and Honduran long-fillers from the Jalapa and Jamastran valleys.