This box-pressed Nicaraguan puro wears a spicy San Andrés Maduro wrapper that glistens with visible oil. At 4.5" x 46 ring gauge, these petit coronas pack aged Jalapa Valley ligero into a compact format perfect for 45-minute sessions. The $97 price tag for 10 sticks positions it as an affordable luxury among maduro blends.
First Third: Immediate black pepper kick settles into leathery depths with baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg). Smoke output stays moderate despite tight draw. Ash holds firm for 1.5" before first tap.
Middle Third: Core flavors shift to espresso grounds and dark chocolate. Retrohale reveals toasted cashews underneath the cocoa bitterness. Burn line stays razor-sharp without corrections.
Final Third: Sweetness emerges through caramelized sugar notes, battling persistent earthy tones. Minor tar buildup at last inch suggests ideal stopping point. Post-smoke mouthfeel leans dry rather than cloying.
The triple-cap finish and seamless wrapper exemplify Oliva's Estelí craftsmanship. Box-press shows slight rounding from humidor storage but maintains structural integrity. Five sampled cigars demonstrated consistent density - no soft spots or tunneling issues.
Drybox for 12 hours before lighting to counter the wrapper's oil content. Pairs best with mineral-forward spirits like reposado tequila or coffee stout beer to cut through the earthy intensity.
