This box-pressed figurado comes packing 6.25" of Dominican craftsmanship with a 52 ring gauge. Priced at $9.90 per stick in 21-count boxes, the Maduro Belicoso sports a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that's been fermented to chocolatey perfection. I've let mine rest at 65% RH for three months - the oils practically gleam under sunlight.
The cold draw delivers molasses sweetness through its torpedo tip. First puffs erupt with dark chocolate powder and espresso riffs. There's noticeable pepper spice on retrohale - about 7/10 intensity - that lingers without burning. Ash holds firm in 1" segments.
Woody notes transition from cedar to hickory smoke. Coffee grounds texture emerges alongside walnut skin bitterness. The Peruvian filler brings subtle floral hints I don't usually find in Maduro blends. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite multiple relights.
Tar accumulation becomes noticeable past the band. Flavors intensify into bitter cocoa nibs and charred oak, though the Nicaraguan leaf prevents complete astringency. I nubbed it at 75-minute mark when nicotine headrush kicked in.
Pair with aged rum after heavy meals. Best smoked in evening sessions when you can appreciate its gradual flavor evolution. Stores beautifully - my 2018 box showed improved cocoa notes with three years' rest.
