5 STAR: 5
4 STAR: 0
3 STAR: 1
2 STAR: 0
1 STAR: 0
Jeffrey Amendola and Christopher Monaco, the owners of Amendola Family Cigar Co., are proud of their Italian heritage and lifestyle. That pride can be seen in their cigars and, specifically, the Amendola Signature Cannoli Series. This series is made up of three different blends, with each cigar representing a color from the Italian flag. The Cannoli Sumatra (aka Cannoli Green) has a green band, while the Cannoli Connecticut (aka Cannoli White) has a white band. The Cannoli San Andres cigar (aka Cannoli Red) sports a red band to complete the Italian trilogy.
The Cannoli San Andres was the first of the Cannoli line to be released. It hails from the La Zona factory in Estelí, Nicaragua, hitting the market in December of 2020. The blend details are kept mainly under wraps, though we know that it is concealed in a dark and beautiful Mexican San Andrés leaf... the rest is left to the interpretation of each smoker's palate.The mystery combination of tobaccos come together to form a tantalizing blend that is packed with more flavor than you'll know what to do with. Big notes of black pepper, dark chocolate, espresso, and an earthy sweetness will kick your palate into high gear and have you quoting The Godfather.
The Cannoli Connecticut is more Nicaraguan than Italian, being crafted out of the fan-favorite La Zona Factory (of Espinosa Cigars fame) in Estelí. This breakfast/dessert smoke begins with the cigar's namesake Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, secured over an undisclosed interior recipe (remember, the Colonel never reveals his 11 herbs and spices).The Amendola Signature Series Cannoli Connecticut cigar comes to life straight away, coating the palate with soft and flavor-forward characteristics of cedar, almond butter, light cabinet spices, and semi-sweet cream cheese frosting.
The Cannoli Sumatra cigar is also rolled at the fan-favorite La Zona Factory (of Espinosa Cigars fame) in Estelí, Nicaragua. The recipe begins with the cigar's namesake Sumatran wrapper; this leaf is joined by all-Nicaraguan tobaccos throughout the binder/filler. Medium in body and loaded with flavor ('cuz Italians know flavor!), the Cannoli Sumatra Green Label cigar coats the palate in Nicaraguan-forward characteristics of earth, zesty cabinet spices, caramel, and medium-roast coffee.