The Don Pepin Garcia Original Toro Gordo stands out as a hefty Nicaraguan puro with a 6"x56 frame wrapped in oily Ecuadorian Habano leaf. Priced at $160.38 per box of 18, this full-bodied torpedo-sized cigar delivers an intense 90-minute smoking session perfect for seasoned enthusiasts. The dark corojo oscuro wrapper conceals aged Nicaraguan fillers from Jalapa and Condega regions, promising complex transitions from sharp spices to earthy sweetness.
The initial puffs hit with black pepper and charred oak, accompanied by dense white smoke. Retrohale reveals cinnamon sting through the nose while the tongue detects bitter cocoa powder. Tight draw requires multiple corrections despite proper 65% RH storage.
Flavors mellow into roasted coffee beans and cashew undertones. Occasional licorice sweetness emerges but gets interrupted by ammonia-like sharpness - a sign this batch might need more humidor aging. Ash holds solid 1.5 inches before dropping.
Leather and earth dominate as nicotine strength escalates. Visible tar accumulates near the cap, creating occasional bitter notes. Draw opens up surprisingly at the last inch, releasing walnut and allspice aromas before heat forces conclusion at 85-minute mark.
Rolled in Estelí's My Father factory using Jalapa valley viso leaves for spice and Ometepe island volado tobaccos for combustion. The Ecuadorian-grown Habano wrapper undergoes 18-month fermentation, contributing to its oily sheen. Box code LMO DIC 22 shows recent production, suggesting potential benefits from additional rest time.
