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La Galera Connecticut Robusto: Best for Beginners or Belongs in the Trash?

Aficionado Knowledge:

Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Company: Jose "Jochy" Blanco
Production: Regular
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut
Binder: Dominican Republic 
Filler: Dominican Republic
MSRP: $4.99-6.99
A prior caveat:
     La Galera is a budget brand.  Their cigars are very inexpensive and most of their Robusto sizes can be purchased for under 5 dollars. With this in mind La Galera can have some quality control issues with their wrappers. That being said, La Galera's cigars are still quality smokes, the chance of buying a dud or improperly packed cigar is very low. The biggest downside I have experienced with La Galera's Connecticut lies not with the actual cigar but with the band. Occasionally the amount of glue in the band can touch the wrapper and will damage the wrapper when removing the band. 
Real time review:
    Like many Connecticuts, La Galera's Connecticut cigar has a light wrapper. The wrapper is light brown with the wrapper veins being tight but noticeably raised off of its barrel. The cigar is firm and packed well but does not spring back as well as higher quality cigars. The unlit foot smells sweetly of vanilla, and honeysuckle. This cigar is very easy to toast but does not hold heat in the ember well regardless of the presence of a decent ash stack.  The first draw is uniform and tastes deeply of toast. As the smoke rests in the palete a mild evolution occurs and the flavor opens into a lightly bitter and tanic note like dandelion greens with a hint of pepper. The Connecticut's smoke is airy and light which matches how mild it is in body. The ash stack does not keep the ember as well insulated as other cigars, meaning that the ember needs more management. With a surprisingly astringent retrohale, La Galera's Connecticut wakes the palate to a bright peppercorn note followed by a deeper wood note, a hint of espresso that eventually runs full circle and again ends in toast. The lack of overall complexity makes La Galera's Connecticut a respectable smoke if one is willing to manage the more tedious upkeep.
Closing thoughts:
     La Galera provides a consistent flavor profile and does not typically stray or evolve regardless of the size and ring gauge. This smoke is great for the individual who wants to provide cigars for a group at a cheap price. I find that the consistency of the flavor makes this cigar a great option when cigar smoking is not the highlight of a party. I would recommend this cigar for beginners or as a great casual smoke when drinking whiskey.
79/100.

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