The PDR 1878 Capa Madura Robusto Tubo arrives in an imposing 6x60 parejo format, packing Mexican San Andrés Maduro magic into chubby fingers. At $72.54 for 8 sticks, this Dominican puro serves up affordable luxury with triple-sec construction - Criollo 98 binder hugging Dominican filler leaves. The maduro wrapper shines like motor oil under cellophane, promising sugar-cured decadence.
Cold draw pumps out molasses and barnyard earth. Initial puffs erupt with black cherry sweetness fighting through pepper spray. Smoke production stays moderate despite the 60-ring circus - tight spiral curls rising like censer smoke. Ash holds firm for 1.5" despite the diameter.
At the halfway mark, the San Andrés wrapper asserts control. Burnt caramel and licorice take center stage, with baking spices (clove/allspice) appearing like uninvited guests. Retrohale stings with white pepper intensity that'll make your eyes water. Construction never wavers - perfect burn line through tropical humidity.
Final third turns meaty - think charred brisket bark with espresso grounds. Sweetness fades to minerality resembling volcanic soil. Nicotine punch creeps up at 90-minute mark, warning to nub cautiously. Lingering aftertaste mixes dark chocolate and walnut shell bitterness.
This maduro mammoth delivers crowd-pleasing sweetness with enough pepper to keep veterans interested. While not as refined as Padrón's offerings, it punches above its price bracket in construction consistency. Perfect for football tailgates or fishing trips where subtlety takes backseat to flavor bombardment. Keep cutter sharp - that 60-ring needs clean slices.
