Today, we review the Cavalier Genève Project Broadleaf Cowrider. This release is part of Cavalier Genève’s foray into Connecticut Broadleaf releases. Project Broadleaf takes a unique approach compared to other offerings in the portfolio. Because sourcing Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers is challenging, Project Broadleaf features up to four distinct small-batch releases each year. Each release will showcase a unique size and blend variation, all centered around the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper. The aim is to present consumers with four distinct expressions of this Broadleaf. While the finite supply of Connecticut Broadleaf has forced many companies to release cigars with this wrapper in limited runs, co-founder Sébastien Decoppet told me this isn’t a limited release; it’s part of his approach to including this wrapper in his portfolio.
As mentioned, there are four blends of the Cavalier Project Broadleafs. There are actually five vitolas because Wayfinders has two vitolas. All four blends are different, but share a common denominator: a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper.
Project Broadleaf has returned for 2026, but Cavalier Genève said it will release three of the four blends. The one blend not released for 2026 was the Boartamer.
Without further ado, let’s turn our attention to the 2025 release of the Project Broadleaf Cowider and see what this cigar brings to the table.
SPECIFICATIONS
Blend and Origin
In addition to the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, the Cowrider features a Connecticut Shade binder and fillers from Jamastra (Honduras), Indonesia, and Estelí (Nicaragua). Cavalier’s Fábrica Centroamericana de Tabaco S.A. (FCT) facility in Danlí, Honduras, produces it.
- Wrapper: Connecticut Broadleaf
- Binder: Connecticut Shade
- Filler: Jamastran, Indonesia, Estelí
- Country of Origin: Honduras
- Factory: Fábrica Centroamericana de Tabaco S.A. (FCT)
Vitolas Offered
The Cowrider comes in one size – a 6 1/2 x 50 parejo. Each is packaged in ten-count gold metallic foil bundles.
Appearance (*)
The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper on the Project Broadleaf Cowrider has a medium-roast coffee-bean color with a slight red tint. The surface had some oils. The surface had slight mottling and very subtle toothiness. The wrapper was slightly bumpy, with a rugged look and feel. There were some thin visible veins. The wrapper was dark enough to hide most seams.
The Cowrider features Cavalier Genève’s signature 24k gold diamond embedded in the wrapper. This diamond is not meant to be removed and can be burned through.
PERFORMANCE
Pre-Light Draw (*)
I used a straight cut to remove the Project Broadleaf Cowrider cap. Once the cap was removed, it was time to commence the pre-light draw experience. The cold draw delivered a mocha-and-cream mix. Mocha is a catch-all word I use to describe a fusion of chocolate and coffee. Overall, this was simple and smooth, but a really good pre-light draw. At this point, it was time to toast up the Project Broadleaf Cowrider and see what the smoking experience would have in store.
Tasting Notes
The Project Broadleaf Cowrider opened up with notes of coffee, black pepper, earth, toast, and a slight stone fruit note. Early on, the coffee notes moved to the forefront. The pepper, earth, toast, and stone fruit settled in the background. A slight cream note also surfaced in the forefront. Meanwhile, an additional layer of black pepper appeared on the retro-hale.
The second third of the Project Broadleaf Cowrider continued with coffee notes primary and the others secondary. Around the midway point, mineral notes surfaced, with coffee in the forefront. The pepper, earth, toast, and fruit remained secondary. By the time the cigar experience reached the midway point, the cream notes were gone
As the cigar moved through the final third, the coffee and mineral remained primary. Black pepper increased slightly, giving it a slight edge over the earth, toast, and stone fruit notes. This is the way the Project Broadleaf Cowrider came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch and cool in temperature.
Burn
Overall, the Project Broadleaf Cowrider maintained a straight burn path and a straight burn line. As a result, this cigar required few touchups. This cigar had a light gray ash. The ash wasn’t overly firm, and a minor bit of flaking occurred along the way. Meanwhile, the burn rate and burn temperature maintained ideal levels.
As mentioned, the gold diamond affixed to the wrapper is meant to burn through. On some Cavalier Genève cigars, the diamond is closer to the head, so you can avoid burning through most of it. On the Cowrider, if you want the full cigar experience to the nub, you will need to burn through. The diamond won’t look super pretty burning, but it will burn. Overall, other than aesthetics, I didn’t see any problems burning the diamond.
Draw
The Project Broadleaf Cowrider had a touch of resistance, making it an excellent draw in my book. At the same time, it was a low-maintenance cigar for flavor.
Strength and Body
The Project Broadleaf Cowrider is a cigar I would place on the lower end of medium in strength and body. There wasn’t much change in variance during the smoking experience. At the same time, both the strength and body balanced each other nicely, with neither attribute overpowering the other.
BANDING AND PACKAGING NOTES (*)
One interesting thing about Project Broadleaf is how the releases are all packaged differently. Some are packaged in boxes, and some are packaged in bundles. The Cowrider is packaged in a gold foil bundle. While I wish it were available in a box, I’d say gold foil bundles are nicer than craft paper bundles.
As for the band, the Cowrider is unique in the Project Broadleaf series because it has a white band (the other releases have black-and-gold font bands). Overall, I really liked the white against the Broadleaf wrapper.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Final Thoughts
Personally, I have found Project Broadleaf to be a fun series because I really like the different expressions of Broadleaf blends the line offers. As for the Cowrider, this was a really good cigar. At times it was a little gritty; other times, it was smoother and more refined. The one constant is that it delivered on the most important attribute – flavor. The fact that this isn’t an overly bold cigar works in the blend’s favor. I could recommend this cigar to any cigar enthusiast. As for myself, this is a cigar I would buy and smoke again. At 90 points, it earns a Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence designation.
Summary
- Key Flavors: Coffee, Mineral, Earth, Stone Fruit, Toast, Cream, Pepper
- Burn: Excellent
- Draw: Excellent
- Complexity: Medium
- Strength: Medium
- Body: Medium
- Finish: Very Good
Rating
Value: Buy One
Score: 90
Cigar Coop Standard of Excellence
REFERENCES
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted
(*) Indicates this is not factored into the score or value rating
