Let's cut to the chase - the H. Upmann 1844 Reserve Barbier Toro Special Edition gives you a 6"x54 box-pressed Dominican smoke that'll set you back $216.99 for 25 sticks. This barberpole-wrapped toro flexes an Ecuadorian Connecticut & Sumatra-Seed wrapper over Nicaraguan binder and Dominican filler, coming at you with approachable medium strength (3/5) that won't punch newbies in the throat. Perfect for when you want to feel fancy without breaking a sweat.
The first inch hits like a breakfast blend - think cashew butter spread on wheat toast with a dash of white pepper. Connecticut wrapper keeps things mellow while the Sumatra vein gives just enough spice tingle under the nose.
Here's where the Dominican fillers flex. Leather notes emerge like breaking in new work boots, mingling with dark chocolate shavings and espresso grounds. Smoke production kicks up - decent cloud without being obnoxious.
Earth tones dominate the home stretch. Picture damp forest floor after rain meets baking spices cabinet. Retrohale reveals dried apricot sweetness that prevents the finish from going full asphalt.
The dual-wrapper barberpole roll shows no seams - textbook work from Tabacalera de García. Burn line stays sharp for first 2/3 before potentially canoeing in 70%+ humidity. Ash holds firm in 1" segments. Box press makes for easy toothy grip without cramping your jaw.
Rolled in La Romana's Tabacalera de García factory using Cibao Valley Dominican filler and Nicaraguan binder. That signature barberpole wrapper? Ecuadorian-grown Connecticut leaf spiral-bound with Sumatra-Seed leaf - a textural play you usually only see in limited editions. They crank these out in small batches when the wrapper crops align.
