Let's talk about this beast of a cigar - the H Upmann 180th Anniversary Humidor Toro. Clocking in at 6"x50 ring gauge, this Nicaraguan puro comes in boxes of 50 sticks priced at $1,012.25. The real head-turner here is that medio tiempo wrapper leaf sitting above the ligero primings, packing more punch than your average habano. AJ Fernandez and Rafael Nodal collaborated on this anniversary project, slapping on those gold bands that scream "special occasion smoke".
Pre-light nose gets earthy barnyard with faint raisin sweetness. Cold draw resistance feels like sucking a thick milkshake through a straw - tight but manageable.
Initial pepper blast settles into dark cocoa powder and charred hickory. Smoke output leans medium-bodied but clings to the palate like syrup. Retrohale kicks with black pepper and cumin spice.
Core profile shifts to roasted espresso beans and bitter chocolate around the 1" burn mark. Ash holds solid inch-long chunks before dropping. Watch for canoeing if you rush the puff rhythm.
Last third brings leather tannins and mineral earthiness. Nicotine strength creeps up - I clocked 90 minutes smoke time before the tar bitterness set in. Keep water nearby for this marathon.
The roll density feels like pressed Cuban tobacco - firm with slight give. Wrapper showed minimal veins on our box sample. Burn line required two touch-ups past halfway point. Storage recommendation: Keep at 65% RH for optimal draw.
This anniversary Toro brings the heat - literally. The medio tiempo wrapper cranks up intensity beyond typical H Upmann profiles. While not an everyday smoke, it's worth grabbing a single if you spot one in lounges. Just don't pair with empty stomachs.
