Kristoff Connecticut Matador

Kristoff has built its reputation on boutique craftsmanship, Cuban-inspired presentation, and blends that balance refinement with flavor. The Connecticut line showcases the softer side of the brand, offering a mild-to-medium cigar that remains complex, well-constructed, and unmistakably Kristoff. Founded in 2004 by Glen Case, Kristoff continues to handcraft cigars using traditional methods, and the Connecticut Matador is no exception. With its silky Connecticut shade wrapper, signature pigtail cap, and uncut foot, the cigar presents beautifully before it ever meets flame. Beneath the wrapper lies a Dominican binder and a blend of Dominican and Honduran long-fillers, chosen to create a smooth, creamy profile with enough depth to satisfy experienced smokers. The flavor opens with sweet cream, cedar, and buttered toast, joined by subtle touches of hay and vanilla. As the cigar warms, the body builds gently, unveiling notes of toasted nuts, light caramel, and soft baking spice without losing the mellow elegance that defines the Connecticut style. Construction is consistently excellent—an easy draw, a slow and even burn, and ash that holds well. The retrohale is especially smooth, offering floral undertones and soft spice that never overwhelm the palate. This balance makes the Matador an ideal morning cigar or a relaxing afternoon companion, approachable for beginners yet nuanced enough for seasoned enthusiasts. Pair it with a Aberlour 12 Year Single Malt.

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.