This Nicaraguan torpedo flexes serious muscle in a compact 6"x46 frame. Drew Estate's anniversary release comes box-pressed with an oily Connecticut criollo wrapper concealing Nicaraguan/Honduran guts. Priced at $20 per stick in 10-count boxes, it's built for full-flavor chasers rather than casual smokers.
First Third: Immediate espresso bitterness slaps the tongue, tempered by molasses sweetness. Thick smoke carries burnt caramel aroma with pepper tingle on retrohale. Ash holds solid despite loose draw.
Midpoint: Earthiness shifts from dry soil to wet clay texture. Roasted almond emerges alongside leather undertones. Smoke output doubles - keep ashtray nearby. Some canoeing observed without correction.
Final Stretch: Charred oak dominates as nicotine kicks in. Soy sauce umami lingers between puffs. Stop at 1.5" nub unless you enjoy tar lips. Pairing tip: Mexican coke cuts through the intensity.
The Mexican San Andres binder shows through vein-heavy wrapper. Triple cap unravels cleanly. Box-press shape creates flat burn surfaces but requires frequent ash taps. Minimal plume observed after 6 months humidor rest.
