This box-pressed Nicaraguan puro demands attention with its 6.5"x54 frame wrapped in oily San Andrés Maduro leaf. Priced at $135 per stick ($2,700/box of 20), it's AJ Fernandez's refined take on Montecristo's legacy - think espresso-soaked leather with enough nicotine punch to make your eyebrows sweat.
First Third: Immediate black pepper slap fades into molasses sweetness. Cedar notes emerge through plumes of medium-density smoke. Watch the burn line - tends to canoe if rushed.
Mid-Smoke: Transition to earthier territory - damp soil and bitter cocoa dominant. Retrohale reveals floral hints that'll make Nicaraguan puro fans grin. Ash holds solid inch-plus.
Final Stretch: Leather intensifies with espresso bitterness. Nicotine surge around 50-minute mark. Savory bakers spice on finish - cloves meets burnt sugar. Pair with cold brew unless you want the room spinning.
The box-press feels substantial without being brick-like. Triple cap unravels cleanly. Draw resistance sits in Goldilocks zone - not airy, no plugged tunnels. Expect 90-minute sessions when properly nursed.
Experienced smokers craving complex Nicaraguan profiles. Not beginner-friendly - the nicotine wallop and $135 price tag demand respect. Stock up if you dig My Father cigars but want Montecristo's marketing flair.
