Rolling into the scene with that chunky 46 ring gauge, the Tatuaje Black Label Private Reserva Corona Gorda packs Nicaraguan firepower in a 5 5/8-inch parejo format. Blended by Pete Johnson and the García family, this box-pressed beast comes dressed in oily criollo wrapper leaf that glistens like motor oil under sunlight. My sample burned straight as an arrow though the dense ash held firm for nearly two inches before dropping.
First Third: Immediate espresso grounds and black pepper slap wakes up the palate. The draw feels slightly snug but pumps out dense smoke smelling of smoldering hickory chips.
Middle Third: Bitter cacao nibs emerge alongside charred oak notes. Retrohale brings white pepper zing that makes eyes water - classic Nicaraguan aggression.
Final Third: Sweetness arrives late with burnt caramel tones balancing the earthy core. Last inch turns ashy with nicotine punch creeping up the spine.
The triple-cap cut cleanly revealing minimal glue marks. Firm finger-squeeze test shows ideal give - no soft spots detected. Smoke duration clocked 85 minutes with two touch-ups required post halfway point. Final third developed slight canoeing but self-corrected.
