CANH Fiddlehead is an exclusive to members of the Cigar Association of New Hampshire. Fiddleheads, the young coiled fronds of certain ferns, taste like a combination of asparagus, broccoli, and spinach, with a slightly grassy and nutty flavor.
States are often behind the eight ball when it comes to cigar taxes and legislation that hurt the cigar community. The retailers in NH have managed to stay ahead of the game thanks mostly to the Cigar Association of New Hampshire (CANH). The retailers put into a fund money that has a lobbying firm fighting for the rights of cigar smokers. This group has been responsible for keeping cigar taxes at 0%, allowing cigar bars to flourish and many more behind the scenes items that keep the cigar community flourishing in the state.
The CANH Fiddlehead marks the first limited edition release for the association.
Cigar Review: CANH Fiddlehead
Size: 6 x 48
Wrapper: Dark Ecuador Sumatra
Binder: Nicaragua (Jalapa)
Filler Nicaragua (Jalapa, Condega), Dominican Republic (C92 Ligero), USA (CT Broadleaf)
Factory: Nicaragua American Cigars S.A. (NACSA)
Release Date: March, 2025
Production: Limited Edition
Box Size: 10 Cigars
The Cigar: The Sumatra wrapper has a network of thin veins and some mottling of the wrapper. the band uses the same color combination as Sobremesa with its colors of brown and gold with Fiddlehead writing in script and embossed fiddleheads in the background. The cap of the cigar has a coiled pigtail which from now on shall be referred to as a fiddlehead.
The Taste: The cold draw is reminiscent of an old barn with notes of damp wood, earth and hay. Subsequent pulls before lighting reveal a subtle caramel while the foot of the cigar matches the terroir notes with a touch of red pepper.
Once the cigar is toasted and lit there is a subtle spice to it with notes of oak with the perceived strength coming off as mild. As we get deeper into the first third a sour component begins to emerge which I’ve always associated with Sumatra. Just before the first third comes to a close a floral note appears that grows in intensity especially with the retrohale.
The second third sees the soapy floral note synonymous with Sumatra reach its peak around the halfway point before it begins to pull back. There are additional notes of cashews and earth along with a developing mocha. The retrohale sees the addition of black coffee and an abundance of red pepper that also lingers on the finish.
As we move into the final third some sourness lingers on the palate along with a subtle pumpernickel that eventually takes over as the primary note. Sadly the mocha at the end of the second third never materializes as some black pepper develops just before the band which transcends to the retrohale. Surprisingly, as we remove the band the cigar becomes creamy on the palate which makes for a memorable finish.
Conclusion: First let me state that I am not a fan of Sumatra, and while this isn’t as Sumatra forward as other cigars, there is enough in the flavor profile to make me aware. I am sure all the Sakaheads will love it, because they line up to suck on the teat of Saka after being taunted about draining their wallets.
Kudos to the marketing genius of Saka though as he found a way to embrace his hometown cigar shops and the Cigar Association of New Hampshire while making a limited edition cigar that sold out in a heartbeat.
This one however might be my least favorite from Steve Saka but it is still better than 95% of other Sumatra wrapped cigars. I’ll be interested how they age especially with how the cigar finished
Score: 90
Price: $18.99
