Meet the Casa Magna Connecticut Toro Gordo - a 6"x56 Nicaraguan-packed beast dressed in Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper. This box-pressed parejo comes 20 sticks to a bundle at $178.20, delivering full-bodied smoke that'll surprise you with its light-colored camouflage. The Dominican-rolled torpedo combines Honduran binder with rich Nicaraguan fillers from Estelí and Jalapa regions.
Cold Draw: Straight-up barnyard with cedar undertones. The foot smells like damp earth and roasted cashews.
The initial puffs deliver black pepper through the nose - not uncommon for Nicaraguan tobacco. Earthy core quickly settles into roasted coffee grounds and walnut skins. Smoke output's decent though slightly airy. Burn line's already waving at me like a drunk uncle at BBQ party.
Pepper calms down, making room for unexpected vanilla sweetness. Texture turns creamy with baking spices creeping in - think nutmeg and cinnamon sticks. Some gurgling requires a purge. Ash holds surprisingly well considering the 56-ring gauge.
Musky leather notes dominate now. Retrohale reveals charred meatiness like smoked brisket crust. Strength ramps up to medium-full with nicotine hitting harder than expected. Tar buildup forces early retirement at 1.5" nub.
This Toro Gordo overdelivers on flavor complexity considering its price point. While construction could be tighter, the earthy-sweet balance makes it solid morning coffee material. Not quite dethroning the Perdomo Connecticut in smoothness, but worth keeping in rotation for Nicaraguan tobacco fans wanting Connecticut wrap experience.
