Meet the box-pressed beast from Montecristo - the 1935 Anniversary Edición Diamante Toro. At 6"x55, this Nicaraguan puro throws down dense smoke bombs with its Ometepe binder and Esteli filler combo. Priced around $22/stick in 10-count boxes, it's what I'd call a "special occasion smoke" rather than daily driver material.
The cold draw punches you with barnyard funk - that signature Nicaraguan earthiness. Initial puffs deliver heavy cedar notes and black coffee bitterness. Smoke production's insane right off the bat, needing frequent purges to avoid tar buildup.
Around the 1" mark, leather and dark chocolate take over. The sweetness level creeps up but never gets cloying. Watch the burn line though - that box-pressed shape can cause canoeing in humid environments.
Last third brings peppery kick and mineral notes. Nicotine strength hits harder than expected - not for newbies. I tapped out at 2" nub, heart racing but grinning like a madman.
The Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper glistens with oily perfection. Triple cap holds firm, though the box press feels almost too rigid. Burn time averages 90 minutes - perfect for when you need a substantial smoke session.
Rolled in Tabacalera de García's Dominican factory, this blend combines Nicaraguan Jalapa Valley binder with Esteli/Piloto Cubano fillers. That multi-country DNA explains its push-pull between sweet and savage.
