CRC H. Upmann Connossieur A, GEM OCT 20

[griller]

After reading the CRC review from @VasileDulap on his Upmann Royal Robusto, I've come to conclusion that we had a nearly identical experience from a construction and flavor profile perspective. Mind you, I have never smoked a Royal Robusto (have one from a trade a few years ago; maybe I need to go ahead & light it up) but after I read his thoughts I was blown away that my review mirrors his nearly 100%. 

So where I differ...I didn't notice the soft spots he described. This box is coming along nicely but the 5-6 I've smoked since I acquired the box in 2022 haven't lived up to the 1st smoke. I'd say last night's smoked hit 91 or 92, so a very good cigar but not a "mind blown" or change my life kind of experience. It actually had me thinking that the Fab5 offerings (in particular, the Lonsdale) may better suite my palate & vitola preference now. I like the skinnies vs the fatties & while the Connie A is very approachable from a ring size perspective, there is something about a lonsdale or lancero that does it for me.

Anyhow, very good cigar & looking forward to the aging development but probably won't revisit again until the summer at the earliest. I will say that it pairs well with a marinated & grilled BBQ pork tenderloin quite nicely!