This Nicaraguan puro flexes its muscles with a 6½" x52 belicoso shape wrapped in golden-hued Jalapa Shade-Grown leaf. The $352/box price gets you 20 cigars that spent at least 4 years aging before hitting the shelves. What makes it special? Only seven master rollers at Pérez-Carrillo's La Alianza factory touch these sticks.
The first inch hits with black pepper and unsweetened cocoa. Smoke production stays medium-thick, needing about 45 seconds between draws to stay cool. Ash holds tight in ¾" segments.
Mid-section shifts gear when the Dominican filler joins the party - espresso bitterness cuts through the initial spice. Leather notes emerge at the 35-minute mark, paired with visible tar buildup near the cap. Retrohale brings cinnamon heat that lingers in the sinuses.
Final third demands slower pacing as nicotine builds. Charred oak dominates while that Jalapa wrapper keeps throwing pepper punches. Cut it at 1½" remaining unless you enjoy ashy aftertaste.
Pre-light inspection shows minimal veins in the wrapper - not surprising given the 4-year aging. Cold draw has perfect resistance with raisin-like sweetness. Burn line wanders slightly but self-corrects without touchups. Band removal leaves no wrapper damage when done after first third.
