Being sent cigars I have never heard of before is one of the perks of being a reviewer.  Veritas Cigars contacted me and pitched two of their cigars my direction.  The Connecticut and Habano varieties to be specific.  I looked through my list and realized that I rarely review mild stuff.  So I decided to light one up and see where it led me.  I usually smoke sticks to dynamite, so a mild cigar is a welcome change.  How does this relative unknown fare? Let's see....

Construction: A very attractive pale gold wrapper leaf covers the Torch.  Almost no seams or veins either...a very well constructed cigar.

Pre-light Aroma and Draw:  As one might expect from a Connecticut shade wrapper, grass and hay are the primary notes with the Torch. 

Light and Burn: The burn is perfect from beginning to end.  No touch ups or issues in either of the samples I smoked.

Tasting: The start is very peppery.  A little out of character for a Connecticut cigar.  As the first third starts the pepper fades and a creamy smooth and woody profile develops.  There are notes of toast, dry grass, and mild coffee on the palate.  The smoke is not too aromatic but the output is copious.  The first sample, I smoked with a cup of coffee and it paired perfectly.  Great first of the day cigar.

As the second third begins, things shift a bit.  I picked up a dried peach flavor that made me take the cigar out of my mouth and stare at it.  It gets, and I don't know how, even smoother in the middle third as well.  The toast flavor takes a back seat and the creamy woody notes move more to the front.  I have to admit...the first third was a bit rough compared with the center of the stick.  Black pepper and a very mild toffee sweetness play around in the mix as well.  Outstanding.  Pine.  I just tasted pine.  I mean Northern Minnesota pine.  It never ceases to amaze me how taste and smell - particularly smell - can evoke memories.  My Grandparents had a cabin in Minnesota on Lake Vermilion.   Many a summer I spent there, fishing with my Grandpa and visiting with Grandma.  The note I just tasted, for a split second, had me standing on their dock watching the lake.  Any cigar that can do that is aces in my book.  Time travel with tobacco. Wow.

The final third starts out with butter and some wheat flavors.  Smoke continues to pour from this cigar, folks.  Glad it is a very windy day around here...my garage would be fogged up completely.     Flavors are continuing to pop up in very mild tones.  Waffles?  More of the grassy notes.  It gets a tad hot and soft at the end but I nubbed it just the same.  Strength is easily mild to medium...I did get a bit of a buzz towards the end but that was because I was refusing to put it down.  Great cigar.

Value: For a measly $7 or so, you can't go wrong here folks.

Final Thoughts: I typically don't smoke Connecticut cigars. Perla Del Mar, Cabaiguan, and believe it or not, Padilla, are brands I can say I would smoke every morning if I had them in supply.  Add Torch to that list too.  I would love to try this blend in a corona or lonsdale to be honest.  This wrapper leaf is exceptional.  If you are looking for a cigar that won't knock you out, pairs well with a cup of coffee, and won't break the bank, I highly recommend this cigar.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Indonesia
Filler: Nicaraguan Jalapa

Strength: Mild to medium

Size: 6 x 50

As you can see....well put together

Love the unusual and comic book style design of the band.  Very cool.