This Nicaraguan powerhouse comes in a compact 4.5" x 52 short robusto format, packing 5-year-aged tobacco from Estelí, Condega and Jalapa regions. At $6.75 per stick (box of 20 for $135), it's Rocky Patel's answer to full-bodied enthusiasts craving intense flavors without breaking the bank. The dark Habano wrapper glistens with oils, hinting at the volcanic soil intensity within. Don't let the short size fool you - this little firecracker earned CA's 2015 Top 7 spot for good reason.
First Third: Immediate black pepper slap with charred oak notes. Retrohale brings baking spices - think nutmeg-crusted espresso beans. Smoke output feels moderate but dense.
Middle Third: Dark chocolate bitterness emerges, mellowing the initial spice. Leather and mineral undertones develop, like licking a granite slab after rain. Watch the burn line - needs occasional touchups here.
Final Third: Sweetened espresso crema surface with earthy undertow. Tar buildup starts around last inch. Best paired with ice water to cleanse palate between draws.
Rolled at RP's TaviCusa factory in Estelí (7M cigars/year output). The Habano wrapper undergoes extended sun fermentation - feel those textured oils under your fingertips. Blenders mix Estelí's pepper-heavy leaf with Jalapa's sweeter tobaccos and Condega's mineral-rich filler for that signature gritty finish.
