AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet confidence to the Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo that announces itself before the first draw. In a market where Connecticut shade often signals a cautious, one-dimensional smoke, this torpedo from the HATSA factory in Danlí presents a counter-argument wrapped in a pale golden leaf. It is the cigar equivalent of a firm handshake from a friend who doesn't need to raise his voice — a blend that understands that mild-medium strength is not a limitation but a canvas. The pre-light aroma is a study in restraint: fresh hay, a whisper of toasted almond, and the faint sweetness of cream that suggests something more than the sum of its parts. This is not a cigar that begs for attention; it earns it through a slow, deliberate unfolding.
The first third opens with a smooth, creamy cedar that feels like polished wood — clean, aromatic, and utterly approachable. The retrohale introduces a mild white pepper that tickles rather than bites, a signal that the Nicaraguan filler is present but polite. As the ash forms its first firm inch, the profile begins to shift from simple creaminess to something more substantial. By the second third, the cedar has given way to a buttered toast richness, the kind of savory depth that makes you pause mid-draw. Cashew emerges as a distinct nuttiness, followed by a light vanilla bean sweetness that never veers into dessert territory. Beneath it all, a subtle earthiness begins to build — not the dark, brooding soil of a maduro, but the dry, honest dust of a sunlit field. Dried chamomile adds a floral complexity that keeps the palate engaged without demanding attention.
The final third is where the blend reveals its true character. The pepper returns with a gentle uptick, and a roasted note — closer to light espresso than dark roast — adds a welcome edge. The cream never fully disappears but transforms into a drier, nuttier finish that lingers on white oak and a clean, sweet tobacco exhale. The strength remains restrained throughout, never spiking, never harsh, even as the nub grows warm. The construction is a testament to the factory's discipline: the torpedo head cuts cleanly, the draw offers just the right resistance, and the burn line stays arrow-straight, producing a firm, pale grey ash that holds well past an inch. This is a cigar that respects the smoker's time, delivering a 60-to-75-minute arc that feels complete without ever feeling rushed.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Connecticut Shade — Ecuador-grown — Natural |
|---|---|
| Binder | Nicaraguan |
| Filler | Nicaraguan long-fillers, blend of Jalapa and Estelí tobaccos |
| Country of Origin | Danlí, Honduras — HATSA factory (Honduras American Tobacco S.A.) |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6 x 54 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $8–$11 per cigar |
| Tier | Everyday |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of two years before rolling; limited additional post-rolling aging noted |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with fresh hay, light cream, and a whisper of toasted almond. Once lit, the first third delivers a smooth, creamy cedar note with mild white pepper on the retrohale. The draw is immediately inviting — approachable and refined without being thin.
Second Third
The creaminess deepens into a buttered toast profile with emerging notes of cashew and light vanilla bean. A subtle earthiness begins to build beneath, grounding the sweetness. Mild floral undertones — reminiscent of dried chamomile — add complexity without aggression.
Final Third
The final third adds a gentle uptick in pepper and a roasted note closer to light espresso. The cream never fully disappears but transitions to a nuttier, drier finish with hints of white oak and a clean, sweet tobacco exhale. Strength remains restrained throughout — no harshness at the nub.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is consistently excellent for the price point — the torpedo head cuts cleanly and the draw is effortless with a touch of resistance. Burn line is nearly arrow-straight, producing a firm, pale grey ash that holds well past an inch.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Light to medium-bodied aged rum — Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva or Ron del Barrilito 3-Star; alternatively a wheated bourbon like Maker's Mark 46 to complement the vanilla and cream notes.
Wine
White Burgundy (Chardonnay from Côte de Beaune) or a lightly oaked Viognier — the wine's creaminess and stone fruit mirror the cigar's profile without overwhelming it.
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast single-origin Colombian pour-over or a well-made cortado — the nutty sweetness of the coffee elevates the almond and cream notes in the cigar beautifully.
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a man in his late thirties, a decade into his cigar journey, who has developed a palate for nuance but still remembers the anxiety of his first box purchase. He is on a Tuesday morning patio, coffee in hand, with a stack of spreadsheets waiting inside but nowhere to be. He has smoked through the peppery Estelí bombs and the sweet maduros, and he is looking for something that won't demand his full attention but will reward it when given. He already enjoys the creaminess of an Ashton Cabinet but wishes it had a bit more backbone. This Brick House gives him that — a Connecticut that doesn't bore him, a mild smoke that doesn't insult him. It is the cigar he offers to his brother-in-law who 'doesn't get the hype' and the one he reaches for when he wants to think, not just smoke. It is dependable without being predictable, a quiet companion for a loud world.
Bottom Line
The Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo is the sleeper hit of the everyday tier — a Connecticut shade that actually has something to say. It delivers a creamy, nutty arc with enough Nicaraguan spine to keep it interesting, all for under eleven dollars. Buy a box; it will become your default answer to 'what should I smoke today?'
Similar Cigars
Explore all Brick House cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on our strength scale. Physically, you will feel a gentle warmth and a slight nicotine presence, but it will not cause dizziness or overwhelm your palate. It is designed for morning or early afternoon smoking, where you want flavor without a heavy body load.
What does Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo taste like?
The flavor arc moves from creamy cedar and white pepper in the first third to buttered toast, cashew, and vanilla bean in the second. The final third introduces light espresso and white oak, with a clean, sweet tobacco finish. Dried chamomile floral notes appear mid-smoke, and a subtle dry earthiness grounds the entire profile.
How long does Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo take to smoke?
As a 6 x 54 Torpedo, expect a 60-to-75-minute smoke. The tapered head focuses the draw, and the ring gauge provides a steady burn. If you are a slower smoker, you might stretch it to 80 minutes, but the blend is best enjoyed within that hour-plus window before the flavors begin to turn.
What is the best pairing for Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo?
A light to medium-bodied aged rum like Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva is ideal. The rum's vanilla and caramel notes mirror the cigar's buttered toast and vanilla bean profile, while its gentle warmth complements the white pepper without overpowering it. For a non-alcoholic option, a medium-roast single-origin Colombian pour-over elevates the almond and cream notes beautifully.
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo good for beginners?
Yes, with a caveat. The Mild-Medium strength is forgiving, and the creamy, nutty flavors are approachable without being boring. However, at $8–$11 per cigar, it is a step above budget smokes. If you are a beginner willing to invest in quality, this is an excellent gateway — it shows what a well-constructed Connecticut can do without the harshness of stronger blends.
Where can I buy Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo?
This is a widely distributed everyday-tier cigar, so you will find it at most well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists. Online retailers like Cigars International, Famous Smoke Shop, and Atlantic Cigar typically carry the full Brick House line. Check your local shop first — the HATSA factory's distribution is broad, and many stores stock it in the 25-count box.
What is the price of Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo?
The MSRP is $8–$11 per cigar, depending on your local tax rate and retailer. At that price, it sits firmly in the everyday tier — a value proposition that undercuts many comparable Connecticut shade blends from larger brands. Buying by the box of 25 will bring the per-stick cost down toward the lower end of that range.
Is Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo worth aging?
Not particularly. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of two years before rolling, and the blend is designed to be smoked fresh. The Connecticut Shade wrapper is delicate and will lose its subtle floral and cream notes with extended humidor time. Limited post-rolling aging is noted, meaning the cigar is released when it is ready. Smoke it within a year of purchase for peak flavor.
What wrapper does Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo use?
It uses a Connecticut Shade wrapper grown in Ecuador. This is a pale golden tan leaf with a silky sheen and minimal veining. The Ecuadorian growing region imparts a slightly creamier, more refined character than its Connecticut-USA counterpart, providing the smooth, mild opening that defines this blend.
Where is Brick House Double Connecticut Torpedo made?
It is hand-rolled at the HATSA factory (Honduras American Tobacco S.A.) in Danlí, Honduras. This is the same factory that produces the original Brick House line, and the Double Connecticut is crafted there as a softer counterpart to that blend. The Nicaraguan binder and long-fillers from Jalapa and Estelí are assembled under the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper in this facility.