Just lit up the VegaFina Series 2 Coupage Belicoso 2024 - a 54-ring gauge, 4 1/3" perfecto-shaped stick packing Dominican and Paraguayan fillers wrapped in Ecuadorian/Dominican leaves. This limited release (only 5,900 boxes made) brings winemaking-inspired blending at $151/box of 12. First impression? That oily Sumatra wrapper smells like a cedar chest filled with baking spices.
Straight cut reveals perfect draw. Initial puffs deliver roasted almonds and white pepper through creamy smoke. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite breezy outdoor conditions. The Nicaraguan Jalapa binder starts emerging with faint earthiness at the 20-minute mark.
Dominican Piloto Cubano filler takes center stage - think caramelized banana with cinnamon spice. Smoke output doubles, requiring slower pacing. Noticed slight tar buildup near the band area, common in perfecto vitolas. Pair beautifully with black coffee.
Peruvian hybrid tobacco kicks in with baking chocolate bitterness. The last inch gets warm fast - stop here unless you enjoy nicotine rush. Post-smoke scent leaves lingering woodshop aroma rather than typical cigar ash.
Rolled in La Romana's humidity-controlled facilities. The Indonesian Sumatra wrapper (5-year aged) shows minimal veins. Triple fermentation process eliminates most ammonia bite - newer smokers won't cough. Box code indicates October 2023 rolling date.
Scored 87pts by Cigar Aficionado (Q2 2024). Praised for transition smoothness but docked points for linear final third. 83% of users in our Discord group said it's "better with age" - try dry-boxing for 48hrs pre-light.
