Powstanie is a Polish word meaning, uprising.
The Powstanie Connecticut Corona Gorda is a line extension for the Connecticut that debuted in 2023 but it’s roots date back to almost a decade ago. According to a press release, “The cigar was originally blended over 9 years ago for the birth of Mike Szczepankiewicz’s (co-owner) son. At that time, there were only 100 cigars made. The original band said “ApolloDani” in blue and pink.”
The Powstanie Connecticut Corona Gorda “Justice” will be available in boxes of 21 cigars, with a suggested retail price of $13.50 per cigar. The cigars will be released first at Boll Wevil Cigars in Enterprise Alabama on April 6th and then shipped nationwide shortly thereafter.
Powstanie cigars were nice enough to send samples to The Barrel Burner for review…
Cigar Review: Powerstanie Connecticut
Size: 5.5 x 46 (Justice / Corona Gorda)
Wrapper: Ecuador (Connecticut-Seed)
Binder: U.S.A. (Pennsylvania Broadleaf)
Filler: Nicaraguan
Factory: Fabrica de Tabacos Nica Sueno S.A
Release Date: April 6, 2024
Box Count: 21
The Cigar: Sporting a black and gold wrapper with the Powstanie P front and center these cigars stand out. A secondary band denotes the size, Justice which adds to the appearance. For some reason I look at the cigars and I think Pittsburgh Pirates, but that is me just thinking out loud. The Connecticut seed from Ecuador is golden in color with some thin veins and a fair amount of oils. In the hand the cigar is heavy and well packed.
The Taste: The cold draw of the Powstanie Connecticut Justice serves up notes of peanuts and brown sugar while the aroma from the well packed foot reveals a subtle sweetness and a subtle fuitniness.
After we toast and light our cigar it begins with notes of buttery richness, cedar and a subtle spice. This is not your grandfathers Connecticut as notes of leather, and stone fruits join the mix on this complex smoke. The retrohale offers up addition notes of earth and toasted coconut, white pepper and coffee which lingers on the finish.
Moving into the second third the toasted coconut makes its way to the palate where it is joined by roasted nuts, cedar and leather. The toasted coconut disappears by the halfway point as the roasted nuttiness dominates the palate where it is intensified by the retrohale. As the second third comes to conclusion there are subtle notes of milk chocolate and coffee which continues to linger on the delightful finish.
As we conclude the Powstanie Connecticut experience earth and leather become the focal point as stone fruits make a return engagement alongside brown sugar and milk chocolate. The finish has a some coffee and a touch of licorice while the retrohale sees roasted nuts, red pepper and a subtle sweetness.
Conclusion: I was once told by a retailer that companies that don’t have their own factory have sub-par products. He stated, “why would a company give their best tobaccos to a competitor?” The Powstanie is a cigar that disproves the statement. It’s a brand made at Nica Sueno, the factory that makes RoMaCraft cigars and while more expensive then their own Connecticut offering this one just hits better for my palate (Sorry, Skip).
Powstanie is a brand that should be in more stores than they currently are, especially in the Northeast. Over the years I’ve been gifted many a Powstanie as I didn’t like to do mail order for my cigars, instead choosing to support local brick & mortar shops. That will change as this is one of the best Nicaraguan produced Connecticut cigars I have ever smoked and an early contender for our Cigar of the Year in December.
Score: 95
Price: $13.50 (Before local & state taxes)
