Revisiting this one
https://www.botl.org/threads/today’s-smoke-2024.98316/post-2311723
Definitely got a dud on the first go.
Connecticut shade is not something I've had many of, I've been in the overfull camp a long time.
First light flavors is very light but no drying/astringency. Draw is spot on. Smoke production decent, only on draw, almost none from the foot. Ash is firm, took a good tap to drop after the photo.
First inch or so stayed light, like a piece of plain toast. Nothing special, nothing bad.
After that it got a bit more noteworthy. Little sinus bite on retrohale, and now it's more like toast with butter and honey. Sweet toasty nuttiness like a graham cracker. A creamy texture with lingering sweetness.
Past halfway and to the end, it continued to turn up the strength offering more of a bite while maintaining the sweet base notes. Zero touchups required, any irregularities in the burn line self corrected. Perfect construction.
I had gone back yesterday and edited my scathing review of this cigar when I recognized it as construction issues. It is actually a pretty good cigar. I have limited exposure to the lighter smokes so I can't offer a comparison. But I will be smoking more of these.