This double figurado from La Aurora punches above its weight class with a 54 ring gauge bulge that demands attention. Packaged in metallic tubes that'd make a magpie jealous, these 5-inchers carry Dominican pedigree with Nicaraguan kick. At $24.5 per stick, it's positioned as a weekend treat rather than daily driver.
Cold Draw: Earthy raisin notes with faint black pepper tingle.
The initial puffs deliver espresso bitterness tempered by milky sweetness - think Cuban coffee with condensed milk. Smoke output stays moderate, requiring deliberate draws to prevent heat buildup in the tapered foot.
As the burn line hits the widest ring gauge section, flavor density spikes. Baking spices (nutmeg/cinnamon) and charred oak dominate, with nicotine strength creeping up to 7/10. Retrohale reveals toasted cashews.
Leather and mineral notes emerge alongside increasing tar accumulation. While technically smokeable past the band point, most users report diminishing returns after the 45-minute mark.
The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper shows visible tooth but lacks the oily sheen of maduro variants. Dry-boxing for 12 hours helped even out the burn line. Pair with aged rum or black coffee to cut through the intensity.
