Rp Vintage ’99 Connecticut Recipe

1. Prepare leaves

Condition all tobacco leaves in a humidified workspace at 65–70% relative humidity and 68–72°F (20–22°C) for at least 24 hours. Lightly spritz the Connecticut wrapper and binder leaves with distilled water to make them pliable; do not over-wet.

2. Select filler blend

Lay out the Dominican filler leaf and the Nicaraguan filler leaf. For a mild-to-medium profile with creamy, toasty and slightly salty notes, use approximately 55% Dominican filler and 45% Nicaraguan filler by weight when assembling bunches. Tear or cut each filler leaf into manageable lengths matching the cigar length (4.5" for Petite Corona or 6.5" for Toro).

3. Bunch the filler

Arrange the filler leaves in a tapered bundle: place the fuller-bodied Nicaraguan leaves more toward the center for structure and flavor, and the Dominican leaves around and toward the outside for smoothness and creaminess. Compress and shape the bunch by hand into a consistent cylinder matching the target ring gauge (44 ring for Petite Corona, 52 ring for Toro). Use the rollers' thread to tie the bunch tightly (one wrap at the head and one at the foot), leaving the ends free for the binder and wrapper.

4. Apply binder

Take the Dominican binder leaf and wrap it around the tied filler bunch so that it overlaps slightly and secures the tobacco. Use a small amount of food-grade pectin or vegetable gum on the overlap to seal if necessary. Trim excess binder so that the head and foot remain neat and proportionate.

5. Shape in the mold

Place the bound bunch into the cigar press or mold sized for the chosen shape (Petite Corona 4.5"x44 or Toro 6.5"x52). Close the mold and press for 10–20 minutes to set the roundness and compression. For a slightly firmer smoke, press up to 30 minutes but avoid over-compression which can restrict draw.

6. Wrap with Connecticut shade

Remove the bunch from the mold and position the Connecticut wrapper leaf. If needed, clip the wrapper to match the bunch size, leaving slightly more at the head for finishing. Tuck the wrapper edge under the head and roll smoothly down the length, keeping even tension and avoiding wrinkles. Overlap the seam minimally and secure with a light streak of pectin or vegetable gum. Smooth the wrapper with the palm to bed it to the binder.

7. Finish the head and foot

Form the head: use a cap technique appropriate for a premium cigar (three-piece cap or single cap). Apply a small amount of gum to affix the cap. Trim the foot to be even and neat if necessary. Place the cigar back in the press for another 10 minutes to marry the wrapper and bunch.

8. Final inspection and punch/cut preparation

Check the cigar for soft spots and consistent firmness from head to foot. Make any minor corrections: re-press briefly, or rewrap small areas. Allow the newly rolled cigar to rest in a humidified environment (65–68% RH, 68–70°F) for 48–72 hours to let the wrapper settle and seams heal before moving to aging.

9. Place the rolled cigars in a humidor or humidified box at 65–68% relative humidity and 68–70°F. For best flavor integration, age for a minimum of 2–4 weeks; 3–6 months will further marry the Dominican and Nicaraguan fillers with the Connecticut wrapper and smooth the smoke.

10. Label cigars with shape and size (e.g., RP Vintage ’99 Connecticut Petite Corona 4.5x44 or Toro 6.5x52) and track aging dates. Rotate stock periodically to ensure even humidity exposure.

11. Before smoking, cut the cap with cigar scissors or a guillotine cutter to create a clean opening. Toast the foot gently with a butane lighter or cedar spill until evenly warmed, then take slow, steady draws. Expect a mild-to-medium strength: creamy body up front, a toasty center, and a subtle salty minerality on the finish.

12. Store any opened cigars in a humidor and consume within 1–3 months for optimal freshness, though properly aged sticks can be enjoyed for years.