This dark horse from the Dominican Republic comes in a jar-packed format that's perfect for aging. The 5x52 Robusto sports a toothy Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper aged seven years, hiding Nicaraguan and Dominican fillers within. At about $14.40 per stick (when buying the 19-count jar), it's positioning itself as a premium daily smoke for Maduro lovers who want complexity without breaking the bank.
The tight roll demands a proper V-cut - skimp on this and you'll fight the draw. Once lit, expect textbook combustion: 70-minute burn time, razor-sharp ash that holds for 1.5", and smoke output that's generous without being overwhelming. Watch the final third - nicotine buildup comes on strong like an espresso shot.
Cold draw gives raisin sweetness. Initial puffs serve roasted coffee beans dipped in 70% dark chocolate, with a faint floral hint (likely from the Dominican Corojo). Retrohale brings out the Jalapa binder's pepper spice - white pepper, not the red chili type.
Power shift happens at the 1.5" mark. The Nicaraguan Criollo 98 takes over, pumping out cashew butter richness and burnt caramel. Smoke feels denser here, coating the palate like a viscous stout beer. Cedar notes emerge in the background, but they're more pencil shavings than polished furniture.
Last two inches get primal - charred meat drippings mix with molasses and black tea tannins. The Connecticut Broadleaf's signature loamy earth comes through strongest now, balanced by flickers of orange zest. Stop before the nub unless you're chasing that nicotine rush.
Rolled at Tabacalera Palma in Santiago, this uses PDR's signature "tripa larga" method - whole leaves bunched versus chopped filler. The seven-year-aged wrapper undergoes pressure-fermentation like traditional Cuban Maduros, explaining its oily sheen and reduced bitterness compared to younger Broadleaf.
Skip the coffee - it amplifies the existing roastiness. Instead try: • Aged rum (8-12 years) for caramel synergy • Malt-forward beers (Scotch ales, doppelbocks) • Cold brew with oat milk to tame the intensity
