The La Aroma de Cuba Immesa punches above its weight with a fat 60 ring gauge packed into a 5.5-inch frame - think "short and stout flavor bomb." Priced at $189 for 25 sticks, this Nicaraguan puro wears an oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that smells like a chocolate bar left in a leather jacket pocket. Newbies dig its approachable medium strength, while veterans appreciate the Pepin Garcia pedigree hiding behind that golden band.
The cold draw serves burnt caramel sweetness. Initial puffs deliver black pepper through the nose with a creamy peanut butter base. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite the massive ring gauge - no canoeing here. Retrohales sting like a slap from an old Cuban abuelo.
Pepper fades into espresso grounds and wet earth. Smoke output doubles, creating white clouds that hang like Havana humidity. Watch for occasional tar buildup near the cap - quick purge fixes it. The nicotine buzz creeps up faster than you'd expect from a "medium" rating.
Leather and mineral notes emerge, with baking spices dancing on the tongue. Construction holds firm all the way to the nub. Last inch turns fiery - stop before the 40-minute mark unless you enjoy ashy aftertastes.
