Let's talk about the Casa Magna D. Magnus II Optimus - a Nicaraguan powerhouse that's been turning heads since its 2023 release. This corona gorda (5¾"x52) comes in boxes of 10 for around $98, packing serious flavor punches from its Jalapa-grown Cuban seed wrapper. I lit one up after dinner last night and damn, that San Andrés Maduro leaf doesn't play nice with beginners.
The triple-Nicaraguan blend hits with black pepper and damp earth in the first inch, like chewing on a wet oak branch dipped in cocoa powder. By the second third, the leather and roasted nuts come through strong - imagine smoking a baseball mitt that's been stored in a coffee bean sack. Final third brings the cinnamon heat, leaving that tingly spice on your tongue that begs for an aged rum chaser.
Dense ash holds firm for about 1.5 inches before dropping. Burn line stays razor-straight thanks to Plasencia's tight roll technique. Smoke output? Let's just say I had to crack a window halfway through. The dual bands peel off clean without damaging that oily wrapper - no touch-ups needed during my 85-minute session.
This ain't your dad's yard gar. The D. Magnus II Optimus sits firmly in "experienced smoker" territory, pairing best with full-bodied spirits. While newbies might get overwhelmed by the nicotine punch, seasoned heads will appreciate how the Jalapa wrapper tempers the Nicaraguan filler's brute strength. At under $10/stick, it's punching way above its weight class in the medium-full bracket.
