The 601 Blue Label Maduro Prominente smacks you with its box-pressed 56-ring beefiness, packing Nicaraguan firepower under that oily Connecticut Broadleaf cloak. At $10/stick in 20-count wooden boxes, this 5.5" powerhouse justifies its 2009 CA Top 10 status. The La Zona factory roll gives it that signature Espinosa tightness - no squishy spots, just box-pressed perfection ready to torch.
Blackstrap molasses sweetness slaps first - think charred oak barrels dripping with reduced coffee syrup. The broadleaf wrapper contributes burnt caramel notes that play counterpoint to Nicaraguan pepper ripples.
Earthiness intensifies with roasted walnut and dark cocoa powder. Retrohale brings fireplace embers and anise, surprisingly smooth for 56-ring girth. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite the maduro wrapper's oil content.
Leather and mineral tones emerge as nicotine builds. Sweetness transitions to hickory-smoked meat glaze, though the last inch turns ashy on fast puffers. Pair with black coffee or aged rum to cut through the density.
Rolled at Espinosa's Estelí-based La Zona factory, these use Arapiraca maduro wrappers aged longer than standard Broadleaf. The triple-Nicaraguan binder/filler combo sources from Jalapa (sweetness), Estelí (strength), and Ometepe (complexity) regions. Box-pressing technique compresses filler without restricting draw - a tricky balance few maduro producers nail consistently.
Best suited for seasoned smokers craving intensity without harshness. The 56-ring girth delivers flavor concentration that thinner maduros can't match. Newbies might find the nicotine punch overwhelming - start with the Robusto vitola instead. Box purchase recommended for aging potential; these gain caramel depth with 6+ months rest.
