This box-pressed Toro from Crowned Heads brings Turkish heritage to your humidor with a 5.5"x55 frame packing Nicaraguan/Dominican filler wrapped in Mexican San Andrés Maduro. The dark oily wrapper shines like polished obsidian, revealing its 20-count $247.50 box's premium status. While medium-labeled, the blend evolves into full-strength territory - perfect for sunset pairings with Armenian coffee.
The cold draw whispers cocoa powder before flames unleash 85% dark chocolate and black pepper through the nose. San Andrés's signature earthiness emerges at the 1" mark with molasses sweetness clinging to the lips. Smoke production stays moderate - don't expect Liga Privada-level clouds.
Between bands, cinnamon and roasted almonds cut through the chocolate dominance. The draw tightens slightly as espresso notes surface, requiring slower pacing. Ash holds firm past 2" despite the box-press shape's common burn issues.
Leather and mineral notes dominate the last third with nicotine punch creeping up. Prune-like sweetness lingers but can't mask accumulating tar. Most smokers stop before the nub - that final inch packs more heat than flavor payoff.
Hand-rolled at DR's Tabacalera La Alianza, these showcase triple caps and dense packing. The matte gold band contrasts beautifully against the oil-slick wrapper. Store at 65% RH - higher humidity mutes the nuanced spice transitions.
