This Dominican puncher comes in a classic 5x50 Robusto format with box-pressed sides. The medium-bodied smoke shows why La Aurora's been rolling quality sticks since 1903. You'll get about 90 minutes of burn time from this box of 20, perfect for when you want flavor without knockout strength.
First Third: The cold draw pushes roasted nuts through tight construction. Initial puffs deliver baking spices and almond skin bitterness - classic Dominican earthiness. Burn needs minor corrections but holds steady.
Middle Third: Floral notes emerge behind a curtain of sweet hay. Pennsylvania broadleaf in the filler shows its muscle here, throwing cocoa powder and dry cedar aromas. Retrohale carries cinnamon heat without harshness.
Final Third: Surprise black pepper kick wakes up the palate. Savory elements dominate now - think sun-baked leather and mineral-rich soil. Nicotine strength creeps up to medium-plus despite the wrapper's mild appearance.
The oily maduro wrapper hides minimal veins. Triple-seam cap cuts clean, though some samples show slightly uneven bunching. Draw tightness varies between boxes - dryboxing recommended. Ash holds solid inch-long segments with bright white bands.
Grown in Cibao Valley's iron-rich soil, the Dominican filler tobaccos undergo 18-month fermentation in yagua palm bark. This ancient Andullo method deepens flavor concentration compared to standard pilones. Master blender Guillermo León's signature touch shows in the balanced blend - no single component overpowers.
