Let's cut to the chase about the Rocky Patel Dark Star Toro - a 6"x52 box-pressed torpedo wrapped in that signature oily Honduran Corojo leaf. Priced around $7.38 per stick in 20-count boxes, this medium-bodied Nicaraguan puro brings serious firepower for after-dinner sessions. The triple cap holds dense ash surprisingly well, though newbies might want to start with smaller ring gauges.
First Third: That initial punch of black pepper had me reaching for water. Earthy notes develop into espresso grounds and charred oak after about 10 minutes, with a sneaky caramel sweetness hiding in the retrohale.
Middle Third: The transition catches you off guard - suddenly there's baking spices (think nutmeg and clove) mixing with dark chocolate. Smoke output doubles here, perfect for cloud chasing. Watch the burn line though; mine needed two touchups.
Final Third: Leather and mineral notes dominate as the nicotine creep begins. Got heavy around the last inch with some bitter cocoa emerging. Pro tip - pair with an Islay whisky to balance the intensity.
Rolled at Rocky's El Paraíso factory in Danlí, Honduras since 2017. What makes this blend special? The volcanic soil-grown San Andrés binder leaf from Ometepe Island - it's why you get that signature mineral tang. They use a high-pressure fermentation process on the Corojo wrapper that explains the dark, oily sheen.
