Bad Dog 6x56 Connecticut

Wrapper: Ecuadorian
Binder: Nicaraguan
Filler: Nicaraguan

Bad Dog 6x56 Connecticut

Tasting Panel: Yours truly
From Bad Dog Cigars: "Like refined Scotch and fine wine, Bad Dog Cigars are aged to perfection.
The co-founders, Nicholas Scarcella and Andreas Demetriou, are long time friends, business partners, and avid cigar smokers -- living up to their heritage and enjoying one of their leisure activities. Andreas’ family originated from the fertile farm land of Rhodesia, and Nicholas’ heritage is from the rich volcanic olive producing soil of Sicily, which had a tremendous influence and became the inspiration for the company as it exists today. Each cigar -- with tobacco aged at least three years -- is made with carefully selected long leaf binder and fillers, and wrapped in an exclusive wrapper, creating a medium flavored cigar."

In my opinion, the most admirable aspect about Bad Dog Cigars is that they give back: a percentage of Bad Dog Cigars' sales is donated to free cleft surgery for children in developing countries.

Now if this alone doesn't make you want to buy their cigars, what else will?

First Impressions:
One of the most gorgeous cigars I've seen in all my years of enjoying them. The oily light-chocolate colored wrapper, the pigtail, the shaggy foot -- all of these add to a luxurious first impression of this cigar. I would be unapologetically drawn to this cigar in a B&M humidor, and if I saw one in my friend's, I'd snatch it.

Elegant Pigtail

The shaggy foot denotes meticulous construction

Upon inspection, the feel of the cigar was no less attractive. There were no spongy or soft spots; the cigar was firm and consistent, and oils in the wrapper were happily noticeable. This is, in fact, a cigar that will captivate you.

Burning:
I gave this large girth of a cigar a v-cut; the draw imparted a vanilla creaminess that is reminiscent of a milder cigar. Just as the construction was pristine, so too was the draw -- nice and free flowing.

 I think a v-cut or punch would be perfect for a cigar of this ring gauge.

Initial flavors were very mellow: creamy, vanilla, roasted nuts, slightly woody. I think this is what one would expect from a stick with this composition. I was very excited at the possibilities of this cigar when I took my first few puffs.

The Bad Dog 56 Connecticut gave off a pleasant aroma and held an ash you have to see to believe. (Not a deal breaker in my book, but it was mighty impressive and exemplifies the premium construction.)

The ash, although precarious, held on for another five minutes.

Throughout the session, this cigar remained mild(er). The flavors were consistent, yet about half way though the cigar, the flavors became a deeper, almost chocolate-like. As I've stated, I was pleasantly taken aback with the cigar.

Here's where the cigar took a surprising turn: more of a deeper, chocolate finish.

When the initial ash was lost, the Bad Dog 56 Connecticut picked right back up where it left off.

Once I removed the band, the cigar had a touch of mint on the finish, which was very refined. Never once did the cigar burn hot or become unpleasant.

Final Thoughts:
The only unpleasant aspect of Bad Dog Cigars . . . they are absurdly hard to find. In fact, I haven't found a cigar shop in North Carolina that sells them. As a result of smoking one, Long Ashes Cigar Club | Winston-Salem, is going to do everything we can to change that.

This would be an exceptional smoke to share with newbies or aficionados alike, as it's sensibly mild enough for the former, yet complex (and good looking) enough for the latter. Bad Dog Cigars has a menagerie of sizes and wrappers to suit any cigar enthusiast out there.

The Bad Dog Line up @ http://www.baddogcigars.com/baddoglineup.php

If you see this cigar -- or any Bad Dog brands -- in shops, mark your territory and grab them! It's obvious that this boutique company will not fly under the radar much longer. Construction, burn, flavor -- this cigar is a bona fide winner, my friends, and I'm eager to try more of their line up, especially the Brazilian, which I think could score a 9+.

Rating: 8.5 (Excellent) A cigar that we would seek out and buy as many as we could afford. Its ridiculous suggested retail price is around 8 bucks!

Bad Dog Cigars, get some.

-M. Kittner

For purchasing information or to learn more about Bad Dog Cigars, click here or Like them on Facebook. You may also place orders with the East Coast Territory Manager for Bad Dog Cigars, Josh Protheroe @ (843) 475-6670.