Espinosa 'Crema' Toro Grande. 6x56. Good build overall with a light brown wrap, mostly smooth surface, a few pronounced veins. Cut was okay, a brief bit of unraveling. Lit well, roasted with a match. Easy draw pre- and post-flame.

First third is walnut, bright fresh leaf, pepper on the back end. Second third is light wood, earth, almond, creamy mouthfeel. Last third is spice blend, light cloves, thicker woods taste, deeper pepper, but not harsh or bitter.

Ash held over an inch and was marbled well, mostly clean, light gray. Burn was uneven at the foot, but quickly corrected with ease and was even throughout.

This is an excellent cigar, a mild, creamy smoke with a gradual rise in spice and herb. An even wood expression all the way through, with background pepper and tree nuts that never overpowers. Excellent draw for such a wide gauge. Good balance, mellow and round all across. A nice session indeed. Highly recommended.

"The ​Espinosa Crema is the first Connecticut offering in the Espinosa Portfolio.  The Crema is made with Nicaraguan binders and fillers and wrapped in a beautiful Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper.  The cigar is creamy, with a nice balance of nuts and spices."

[source: espinosacigars.com]

Foundation 'Charter Oak' Grande. CT Broadleaf. 6x60. Excellent construction with well subdued veins and ends. Medium-dark brown wrap with darker shades. Cut and lit well. Straight cut provided an easy draw pre- and post-flame. The wrapped foot roasted well, readying the cigar promptly. 

First third tastes of cedar, almond, faint sweet bread, earthy spice on the exhale. Second third includes fresh leaf, pepper notes, walnut, botanical herbal. Final third has more wood expression, further walnut and pepper but still balanced well. 

Mouthfeel was creamy from midway through the first third, continuing well to the band. Overall taste was mild-plus, round, balanced. Ash was clean, holding two inches with ease. Burn was mostly even, particularly in the second third, with little maintenance on my part. 

This is an excellent cigar at any price point, but stands tall within its value range. It smokes and tastes like an exclusive, expensive cigar. It’s also one of those smokes that has no “put it down” point. It never goes over the cliff with strong bitter pepper. From end to end, it’s rich, creamy, woodsy, spiced, and slightly sweet, developing a balance throughout. 

The combination of Connecticut broadleaf with Nicaraguan fill makes for a medium-to-full bodied smoke with an inviting rich taste that’s bold but not overpowering, a taste that both a long-time connoisseur and a first-timer can agree upon. A superb smoke that made for a nice lunchtime break. Highly recommended.

From the company:

"Foundation Cigar President Nick Melillo announces the completion of his newest brand, Charter Oak, set for release at the 2016 IPCPR Show in Las Vegas. Charter Oak also pays tribute to Melillo’s grandfather, who while earning a modest salary working for the Winchester Repeating Arms factory after WWII, smoked exclusively, broadleaf cigars manufactured by FD Graves on State St, while, no joke, Rick Ardito’s grandfather, a guard at Winchester, also smoked FD Graves biggest selling broadleaf, Muniemakers."

[source: foundationcigarcompany.com]