Let's talk about the Quesada 1974 Robusto - a 5x50 parejo that'll cost you about $8 per stick in boxes of 20. This Dominican puro with an Ecuadorian Cameroon wrapper celebrates the Quesada family's shift from leaf brokers to manufacturers back in 1974. It's that reliable friend who shows up with decent coffee and dry humor - not mind-blowing, but consistently satisfying.
The cold draw gives wet cedar shavings. Lighting up brings white pepper that fades into cashew butter territory within minutes. Retrohale stings slightly - proof this ain't no rookie stick. Burns slower than my last relationship's demise.
Here's where the Cameroon wrapper flexes - dried apricot sweetness cuts through earthy tobacco. Ash holds strong for 1.5+ inches if you're gentle. Watch that burn line though - mine canoeed when multitasking.
Last inch brings cinnamon heat without turning harsh. Pepper returns for curtain call, now black instead of white. Stopped at 38-minute mark before tar buildup. Solid 45min smoke if you nurse it.
Oily wrapper with two visible veins. Triple cap unraveled cleanly. Draw started tight but opened up - no tools needed. Smoke output's average - won't fog your man-cave. Box date seems irrelevant - smoked well ROTT.
