This 6x52 Toro from Crowned Heads dances on the palate with Nicaraguan-grown intensity, wrapped in an Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed Maduro leaf. Priced at $162/box of 12, these Dominican-rolled sticks blend art theory with cigar craft - a collaboration between Ozgener family members and Ernesto Perez Carrillo. The burgundy-colored band hints at its synesthetic concept: translating color into flavor experience. Construction feels firm yet not rigid, with visible oil sheen on the maduro wrapper that's slightly toothy to the touch.
Initial draws deliver baking spices - think nutmeg and allspice - over a base of black coffee grounds. The retrohale stings slightly with white pepper sharpness. Combustion starts razor-sharp, producing dense smoke that feels heavy on the tongue. Body registers medium initially but builds momentum toward the transition.
Savory notes emerge as the core profile shifts: charred beef ends meets dark chocolate. Sweetness develops through the nose with hickory-smoked caramel. Ash holds firm in 1.5" segments. Draw resistance increases slightly, requiring deliberate, slow puffs to manage heat. This phase showcases the blend's nicotine heft - not overwhelming but palpable.
Mineral tones dominate the last stretch - imagine licking a wet river stone - accompanied by bitter cacao nibs. The wrapper's maduro sweetness resurfaces sporadically but gets overshadowed by growing tannic dryness. Several touch-ups required past the band point. Retrohales turn harsh beyond this stage, suggesting a natural stopping point around 65-minute mark.
The box-pressed parejo shape fits comfortably in hand, though the 52RG makes frequent ashing necessary. Wrapper exhibits minimal veins but shows occasional color mottling under direct light. Foot tobacco appears neatly bunched with visible darker ligero leaves at the core. Cap application proves clean, surviving multiple V-cut attempts without unraveling.
