Nica Rustica Adobe vs. New Wave Connecticut: Sweet Spice Wins M38

GROUP G - CLASSIC TRADITIONS

Winner: Nica Rustica Adobe Toro

Match M38 placed Group G's rustic Nicaraguan Toro against its most polished Connecticut Robusto. Nica Rustica Adobe brought a 6 x 52 Habano-wrapped format designed around sweet, spicy warmth. E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Brillantes brought a 5 x 50 Ecuadorian Connecticut presentation with mild-to-medium strength.

Drew Estate currently confirms Adobe's Habano wrapper, 6 x 52 Toro size, mellow-to-medium body, and sweet-spicy taste profile. Casa Carrillo confirms the Brillantes at 5 x 50 with Ecuadorian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler.

Nica Rustica won the approved M38 matchup 28.0 to 27.5. New Wave supplied exceptional construction and creamy control, but Adobe created greater flavor force through earth, espresso, cocoa, leather, sweetness, and pepper. Nica opened 1-0; New Wave began 0-1.

Official M38 score

28.0/30 - Winner

27.5/30 - Loss

Rustic Habano Energy vs. Refined Connecticut Craft

Nica Rustica opened with cocoa, dark earth, cedar, and pepper through productive airflow. Espresso, leather, and black pepper gave the first third weight. Dark chocolate, roasted nuts, and molasses-like sweetness improved the middle before oak, coffee, and spice drove a long, earthy close.

New Wave opened with hay, cream, almond, and cedar through an excellent draw. Creamy cedar, toast, white pepper, and roasted nuts shaped the first third. Coffee, almond, and subtle sweetness added body before oak and pepper became firmer without displacing the smooth Connecticut core.

New Wave was cleaner and more restrained; Nica Rustica was broader and more forceful. Adobe's progression from cocoa and earth into espresso, leather, nuts, sweetness, oak, and pepper matched New Wave's construction while adding the longer, more developed finish that decided the half-point result.

Where Match M38 Was Decided

The standing profiles rate Nica Rustica Adobe Toro at 28.0/30 - Outstanding. Flavor complexity and finish are 5.0; construction, draw, burn, and balance are 4.5. E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Brillantes is rated 27.5/30 - Excellent. Construction is 5.0; draw, burn, flavor complexity, balance, and finish are 4.5.

Official M38 score: Nica Rustica Adobe Toro 28.0, E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Brillantes 27.5.

The official M38 totals match the standing profile scores. The approved archive does not publish a separate M38 category-by-category card, so the standing categories provide context but are not presented as match-specific scoring.

New Wave's exceptional standing construction kept the matchup close and its cream, cedar, nuts, and coffee remained composed. Nica Rustica's exceptional standing flavor complexity and finish supplied the competitive difference: more layers, more intensity, and greater persistence without a mechanical decline.

Official Result: Nica Rustica Adobe Toro Wins M38

Nica Rustica Adobe Toro defeated E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Brillantes 28.0 to 27.5 and opened Group G at 1-0. The sub-six-dollar tournament entry converted bold flavor and finishing length into an immediate victory.

New Wave moved to 0-1 after a narrow loss. Its exceptional construction, creamy cedar, roasted almond, coffee, sweetness, and pepper produced a premium-quality Connecticut performance, but Adobe carried more depth through the close.

Final Ashology Verdict

E.P. Carrillo New Wave Connecticut Brillantes delivered cream, cedar, toast, roasted almond, coffee, subtle sweetness, oak, and white pepper with exceptional craftsmanship.

Nica Rustica Adobe Toro delivered the stronger M38 flavor journey. Cocoa, espresso, dark earth, leather, nuts, sweetness, coffee, oak, and black pepper built the longer and more forceful finish.

Tasting notes reflect the exact cigars and vitolas evaluated for the 2026 Value Cigar Championship. Current product specifications were checked against official manufacturer information. Flavor, strength, draw, and burn may vary with storage, age, production variation, and individual palate. Tobacco products are intended only for adults of legal smoking age.