Nub Connecticut 358

Price: $5.99+tax

Length: 3.75 IN

Ring Gauge: 58

Wrapper: Connecticut (duh!)

Filler: Nicaraguan

Binder: Nicaraguan

The Nub was created by Sam Leccia in his Pittsburgh garage because he wanted a cigar that reached its optimal smoking length immediately. In 2008 he took the idea to Oliva, and together they blended what we now know to be the Nub line of cigars.

Last night I took my dog Muffin for a walk and fired up the original Nub Connecticut. While many reviewers try and explain their objectivity, I know that it is impossible, as a cigar lover I look at a stogie, and form an opinion. When I first saw this cigar inside the humidor I remarked on how small it was, and how steep the price tag was. Furthermore, looking at the wrapper reminded me of a Macanudo, Don Diego or any other mild, bland cigar.

The pre light draw was mostly spicy, my lips tingled, which isn't a bad thing by any means. It definitely tasted like straight tobacco leaf, maybe a little sweetness as well. I toasted the foot of the 358 with my Xikar torch lighter, and the burn started off fairly even. The cigar was very smooth, and creamy. I would highly recommend it for a beginner, it's quite easy to smoke. The spice from the pre light draw dissipated, and was gone within a few minutes.

The first half (I figured thirds for such a tiny cigar would be ludicrous) sang the same tune, but it wasn't bad. The draw, and burn were excellent, and the mild to maybe slightly medium body were good for such a hot, and humid night. The ash held on for around two inches, which is over half the length of the cigar!

Right as the ash reached the band it fell onto my leg leaving a nice welt (the perils of cigar smoking) and the stogie intensified quite heavily. I expected this to happen from such a short cigar, but it was immediate, and noticeable. The flavor didn't change, but an element of roasted or smoked substance came into the mix. Also, the burn began to uneven itself, but it was never bad enough to need correcting.

As you can see I smoked the Nub Connecticut 358 all the way down to the nub. Moreover, I would've continued smoking it because the flavor stayed away from bitter all the way down to my fingertips. I enjoyed this stogie, and think it makes an interesting novelty smoke, something to try for a change or something to travel with because of its size, but for $5.99 I can recommend a handful of other cigars that gave me much more enjoyment. For the money I would, hands down, rather smoke most of Oliva's other cigars (I love the Oliva G torpedo), the Fuente Florfina, or most of the Padron thousands.