Today on Polski Aficionado, it’s time for another cigar from Buenaventura. This time, we take a closer look at the Buenaventura Cremas C300. Let’s dive in.
It’s Sunday. A beautiful, sunny day that feels much more like summer than spring. I’m at a unique spot along the Rzeszów boulevards, where people are slowly enjoying their day off. Me, a cup of coffee, a cigar, and good company – what more could you ask for?
And so, in these perfect conditions, I reached for the second cigar from the Buenaventura sampler. With the warm weather, I was in the mood for something on the lighter side. This particular cigar stood out thanks to its bright wrapper leaf, so without overthinking it, I brought it along. To make things even better, I had the chance to enjoy it with a cup of coffee—something that doesn’t happen often, but always makes me happy when it does.
It’s worth mentioning that many local cafés here in Rzeszów serve coffee from a local roaster – Momento. I’ve been buying their beans for years and have grown to really appreciate their quality. The funny thing is, I only discovered them thanks to a friend—Igor, a fellow cigar enthusiast and a true coffee expert – who lives all the way in Katowice. That’s just how it goes sometimes. You never know when you’ll learn something new about the city you’ve lived in your whole life. Travel, whether near or far, really does teach you something.
Buenaventura Cremas C300
If you’d like to learn more about the Curivari, Buenaventura brand, I recommend checking out the first review I published on the site – you can find it here.
The Cremas line made its debut in 2016 at the PCA trade show in Las Vegas. It features a smooth, light Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper, paired with a Nicaraguan binder and filler – both grown from Cuban seed. The result is a well-balanced blend with a classic profile. The line includes the following vitolas:
- C100, Corona Extra (5 5/8 X 46),
- C200, Robusto (5 X 54),
- C300, Toro (6 X 52),
- C400, Gordo (6 X 60).
In today’s review, I’ll be sharing my impressions of the Toro-sized cigar from the Cremas line.
Some technical specs
The cigar comes in a classic Toro format, measuring 6 inches in length (approximately 15.24 cm) with a 52 ring gauge. It features an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper – light in color, just as you’d expect from a Connecticut. The cigar is finished with a simple band displaying the brand’s logo, the name of the line, and a note that it’s hand-rolled in Spanish. The band design evokes a Cuban aesthetic, which was likely intentional. Overall, it’s an attractive, traditional-looking cigar.
The Cut
I decided to go with a straight cut for this one. But before that, a quick check on the cold aromas. The cigar gives off a woody scent – perhaps even a touch of cedar – along with a hint of pepper. Snip! The draw is perfect. On the cold draw, I pick up mostly cedar wood. All the flavors are very subtle and delicate.
The Light
I gave the foot a good toast with a jet flame and lit up with a few short, gentle puffs. After setting the cigar down for a moment and enjoying a sip of locally roasted coffee, I got into the tasting. The cigar opened with a mix of coffee and earth – with the latter feeling like a natural extension of the former. Very quickly, a delicious creaminess developed, followed by an increasingly pronounced mineral note. Somewhere in between, a grassy touch appeared, adding a fresh contrast to the earth and minerals. Toward the end, the profile shifted more toward wood and a hint of leather. A surprisingly flavorful and interesting Connecticut!
Strength & Body
The strength is on the lighter side overall. It does pick up slightly toward the end, but never climbs above medium. Still, given the Toro size, I’d recommend having a bite to eat beforehand.
Aroma & Smoke
The cigar puts out a generous amount of aromatic smoke. I picked up a lovely combination of vanilla and cedar in the aroma – absolutely divine!
Construction & Burn
Burn-wise, it wasn’t the most consistent. I had to touch it up a few times to even out the burn line. And I definitely overestimated the ash’s stability – it dropped at the worst possible moment, dirtying the table and my shoes in the process. At least the draw stayed perfect throughout.
Final Thoughts on the Buenaventura Cremas C300
I didn’t expect much from this cigar — mostly because of the light Connecticut wrapper. But it genuinely surprised me in the best way. What really caught me off guard was the minerality, something I wasn’t expecting here. There was also a smooth creaminess, which I usually hope for in a Connecticut, and the woody note leaned more toward cedar than dryness.
The setting certainly played its part too — a calm, sunny Sunday with nothing on the agenda. Days like that practically beg for a seat outdoors and a good cigar. I had the added bonus of pairing it with a cup of coffee, which doesn’t happen as often as I’d like. And coffee, without a doubt, is my go-to pairing when it comes to cigars.
A surprisingly enjoyable Connecticut. I could see myself keeping a few of these in my humidor and reaching for them on warm, sunny days.
This cigar was purchased with my own funds.
If you enjoyed reading this, let me know! Drop a comment or share the post – every bit of support helps others discover my cigar reviews and smoking tips. If you prefer to listen, I co-host a podcast with Piotr Siwiński called „Spotkanie z Dymem” („A Meeting with Smoke”) – currently in Polish, though who knows what the future holds? You can also find me on Instagram, where I share a slice of my cigar life – and a bit more. I always welcome a good conversation. That’s how great connections start – and they often go far beyond just cigars.
Stay smoky!
Mateusz Krzywiecki, @mateusz.krzywiecki, Polski Aficionado, @polskiaficionado
