OGT Cigar Society OGT & Stulac Project, Raw Blending PART 1

2023 is kicking off with a few ‘firsts’. Our FIRST ever collaboration with the blending talents of Paul Stulac is coming to all our members the first week of January. The blend uses, for the FIRST time, a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. And this cigar is the FIRST drop of the new year. Introducing the OGT & Stulac Project, the first in our series ‘Raw Blending’. The focus of our series is to let the tobacco speak through the blender’s art, no fancy frills, no disguising the character of the leaf.

This particular cigar had been on a journey to reach the Society. Initially I approached Paul about doing something for our subscription. I was thrilled to hear he would like to work with us, but I was also concerned because I knew it would be a challenge for what I had in mind. Based on his work with Broadleaf in his El Nuevo Comienzo and Red Screaming sun, I hoped he could do something with Connecticut Broadleaf. However, my concern was unwarranted; he informed me he had enough tobacco for such a project.

The work began earlier in the year, and through a few renditions, the cigar was born. The ‘special sauce’ of Broadleaf is that burst of rich spice up front, elements of dark cocoa, notes of espresso, and a creamy center. The original blend had the spice in spades but leaned heavier on the savory, mesquite side. In itself, that’s not a bad combination, but I wanted a more quintessential example of the leaf. Through meetings and further blending, Paul was not only able to deliver but, as I hoped, go far beyond. The OGT & Stulac Project is a 6×46 Corona, offering that richer taste due to the wrapper and filler ratio. It features a dark, very rustic looking aged Broadleaf from Connecticut over a Criollo 98 binder and filled with Nicaraguan Ligero.

This cigar is in small number, however. There is just enough to cover our membership. If you are not a Member of the Society, I would highly recommend you check this out. Sign up while spots last. This blend is a beautiful expression, not only ‘deserving to be smoked’ but something that will only get better with age. We always send out a five pack to our members to encourage that aging process. On this one, I wonder if five is going to be enough. You want to talk about the blending talent of Paul Stulac? About a Nicaraguan Banger? You came to the right spot—only the best for our OGT Cigar Society.