Los Statos Deluxe Connecticut Robusto

Since handing the reins of Los Statos Deluxe (then known as Los Statos de Luxe) over to the creative minds of Matt Booth and Justin Andrews in 2022, the updated portfolio has grown to include a lineup of three blends (as well as a limited edition along the way). While the debut cigars featured updated recipes and packaging/branding, it wasn’t until 2024 that LSD began veering away from the Honduran craftsmanship that it had become known for over the past decade and a half, with both the Los Statos Deluxe Limited Edition and Los Statos Deluxe Connecticut moving to unique factories/countries.

The latter cigar marks the third regular release for the brand, featuring the most delicate blend under the contemporary LSD marque to date. Partnering with the famed Joya de Nicaragua factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, the cigar features an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, a Nicaraguan Habano binder, and fillers from Nicaragua and the US.

“When we started developing Los Statos Deluxe Connecticut, we wanted it to be a ‘smoker’s Connecticut’ in that it is a milder cigar compared to the rest of the Los Statos Deluxe portfolio, yet it has plenty of dimension, depth and nuance. This is why we wanted to work with our friends at Joya de Nicaragua to deliver on this smoking experience that cigar smokers, newer and experienced alike, can truly enjoy.” —Matt Wilson, Los Statos Deluxe senior brand manager

Los Statos Deluxe Connecticut Robusto Breakdown

Appearance

The Los Statos Deluxe Connecticut features what is arguably the brand’s best band design to date, showcasing the familiar basketball-like logo but now accented with vibrant purple hues. The upgraded paper quality of the band contributes to a notably more premium feel than previous iterations. The wrapper itself leans a touch darker than your typical Connecticut shade, not quite coffee bean territory but enough to stand out from the pale crowd. Construction appears to be solid throughout, with a clean triple cap at the head, tidy seams down the body, and primarily fine veins across the wrapper. The cigar offers a sturdy, consistent feel when squeezed, showing a medium-plus bunch density without any concerning soft spots.

The wrapper gives off aromas of cedar and paper, having an underlying chemical-like sourness in the background. Moving to the foot, the profile becomes sweeter and more cedar-dominant, with subtle hints of what seems to be pistachio nuts. After cutting, the pre-light draw proves to be on the firmer side of ideal, revealing flavors of green pistachios alongside herbaceous notes of lemongrass and basil.

Smoking Experience

The LSD Connecticut opens with a blast of thick cream on the first puff, complemented by a slight tanginess that combines to create a distinct buttermilk quality. This is followed by notes of peanuts through the finish, riding alongside a subtle sweetness. The profile includes a dusty character shortly after the start, with white pepper spice and a peanut shell quality that reinforces the aforementioned dustiness.

Performance-wise, the draw is a bit on the firm side, requiring some effort to produce a medium smoke output. The ash maintains its form for approximately one inch before dropping, showing a fairly dark gray coloration. The burn line remains relatively straight throughout, not requiring any touch-ups during the early stages. In terms of intensity, the cigar delivers medium flavor (definitely more than the conventional Connecticut) backed by medium-light strength and body. The texture on the palate is somewhat dry, with smoke primarily making contact on the back and sides of the tongue.

As the experience progresses, there’s a noticeable spiciness that develops on the lips, while the profile can occasionally veer into chemical off-notes if puffed too aggressively—suggesting a slower, more deliberate approach is preferred. Of course, this is not the easiest task, considering the firmer-than-ideal draw. For a Connecticut-wrapped offering, the Los Statos delivers a surprisingly robust flavor profile, continuing to feature roasted nuts (primarily peanuts and peanut shell) as the core components. By the midway point, a glazed donut sweetness emerges late in the finish, providing a pleasant contrast to the persistent dustiness that pervades the overall profile.

The retrohale increases in intensity as the cigar develops, offering a blast of white pepper that eventually intensifies to an almost horseradish-like zing through the nostrils as the finale approaches. While the cigar maintains its composure for the most part, there are occasional moments of harshness that creep into the background, particularly if puffed too frequently. The cigar loses complexity in the final moments, settling into a predictable (but somewhat enjoyable) profile of hardwoods, white pepper, and dusty coat closet.

Would I Smoke This Cigar Again?

I gotta say, considering how dissatisfied I was with the first two core-line Los Statos Deluxe releases, I was pleasantly surprised with the LSD Connecticut. This is most likely due, in no small part, to the factory change. Sure, the HATSA factory (where the first two were made) has nostalgia and affordability nailed down, but it just seems to me like the factory is stuck in the past regarding the range of smoking profiles it offers. Joya de Nicaragua, on the other hand, has been a clear leader in the realm of modernized Connecticuts, and it shows with the LSD Connecticut, coming across a bit like a little brother to the Antaño CT blend. In any case, I could definitely see myself smoking this cigar again, and I’d especially like to see how it performs in the toro format.

• Differing from the inkjet printer quality of the first two Los Statos releases, both 2024 cigars felt like care and attention went into the look of the project, using thicker, textured/embossed paper and a more vibrant feel overall. This was especially true for the LSD Connecticut (as compared to the Los Statos Deluxe Limited Edition, which also looked nice, but was muted in comparison).
• The Los Statos Deluxe Connecticut began shipping in July of 2024.
• At this point, I’d rank the LSD lineup as such: LSD Connecticut > LSD Limited Edition > Los Statos Deluxe > LSD Maduro.
• Currently, the Los Statos Deluxe Connecticut ranks on Dojoverse as “89% Smokable,” placing in the top 39 percent of cigars on the all-time leaderboard.

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