Don Rafael Connecticut #57 Robusto

The Don Rafael Connecticut #57 Robusto is often called “Everyman’s everyday premium”—and for good reason. Crafted in the Dominican Republic by Jose Dominguez, in the same boutique factory that produces Victor Sinclair, this cigar offers consistent quality and approachable character. Built with Dominican long-fillers and binder, it’s finished in an elegant Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, yielding a mild to medium-bodied profile with subtle notes of spice and wood.

It’s a cigar designed to be enjoyed anytime, whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or a novice just starting out. Smoke Magazine praised its smoothness and easygoing style, calling it “a cigar for everyone.” To elevate the experience, try pairing it with a St. Germain Spritz. The cocktail’s floral elderflower, crisp bubbles, and citrus lift harmonize beautifully with the cigar’s soft spice and creamy texture—making for a refreshing match that’s as versatile as the smoke itself.

Though tobacco is indigenous to Hispaniola, the tobacco industry in the Dominican Republic existed in the shadow of Cuba’s dominance through the 1960s. When the exodus of Cuban cigar makers began in the wake of the revolution, many decided the Dominican Republic would be ideal for the resumption of their livelihoods. Unrest in Nicaragua in the 1980s fueled the Dominican cigar industry further. The country now makes more than half of the premium cigars imported into the U.S.

The Cibao Valley and the nearby city of Santiago are the center of cigar production in the Dominican Republic. Three main varieties are grown here: the mild and native Olor Dominicano; the intense Piloto Cubano, brought from the Vuelta Abajo of Cuba; and San Vicente, a milder and more acidic Piloto hybrid. Dominican puros were once unheard of as it was widely thought impossible to grow quality wrapper leaf on the island, but new growing techniques are now allowing some exceptional puros to be produced.