This box-pressed Nicaraguan puro packs serious flavor into its 4½" x 46 frame. At $12.50/stick, the Principe Maduro commemorates Padron's legacy with aged tobaccos and construction that consistently earns 90+ ratings. The dark maduro wrapper glistens with oil, signaling the dense smoke to come - perfect for a concentrated 45-minute session.
Cold draw brings damp earth and raisins. Initial puffs release dense smoke carrying bittersweet cocoa and black coffee notes. The burn line stays razor-sharp despite the oily wrapper. Retrohale intensifies the espresso character with white pepper tingle.
Flavors darken to roasted almonds and charred cedar. A molasses sweetness emerges underneath the dominant espresso tones. Smoke texture turns creamy, though nicotine strength becomes noticeable. Perfect ash holds past 1½ inches.
Leather and baking spices (cinnamon, black pepper) dominate as the cigar warms. Cocoa returns in the aftertaste alongside a cayenne kick. Strength builds steadily - novice smokers might stop here. Construction holds firm without tar buildup.
Using Jalapa Valley's volcanic soil-grown wrappers aged 4+ years. Binder/filler tobaccos from Estelí and Condega regions rest 2.5 years post-roll. Senior rollers achieve perfect draw through precise bunching - no plugs reported in 98% of samples tested.
