Kicking off with the La Aurora 107 Nicaragua Gran Toro feels like unboxing a luxury toolbox - 6x58 box-pressed dimensions give this Nicaraguan puro serious heft. Released for the brand's 107th anniversary, this Dominican-rolled smoke combines Estelí-grown wrapper with Jalapa valley fillers in a 90-minute flavor journey. The oily Colorado wrapper leaf shows minimal veins, tightly rolled to survive my overenthusiastic pinch test.
First Third: Cold draw serves wet cedar and brown sugar. Initial puffs burst with black pepper through the nose - not the sneeze-inducing type, more like freshly cracked Tellicherry. Earthiness builds as the burn line crosses the first inch, mingling with cashew butter undertones.
Mid-Session: At the 2" mark, bitter cocoa emerges alongside charred oak. Smoke output doubles, requiring slower draws to avoid overheating. The ash holds firm for 1.5" intervals - no surprise given La Aurora's construction rep.
Final Stretch: Past the band point, espresso grounds dominate with an unexpected floral twist (think hibiscus tea). Last inch brings mineral twang reminiscent of sucking on a penny - time to ditch the nub before tar buildup.
