Nick Melillo's Foundation Cigar Company delivers dark magic with this 5x48 Nicaraguan puro wrapped in Mexico's oily San Andrés Maduro leaf. Priced around $190 for 20 sticks, these coronas come dressed in red-and-green bands that pop against their coffee-bean colored wrappers. Let's talk straight - this ain't your beginner's smoke.
The cold draw hits like a bitter chocolate bar. Initial puffs deliver espresso grounds and black pepper that'll make your tongue tingle. Smoke production's modest - don't expect cloud-chaser volumes here. Ash holds firm for about an inch before dropping.
At the halfway mark, the Jalapa binder comes alive. Earthy notes shift to wet cedar and roasted cashews. Watch for nicotine kick - even seasoned smokers report slight head spins. Retrohale reveals hidden cherries in the background.
Last third turns into a leathery beast. Charred meat flavors emerge alongside molasses sweetness. Burn line stays razor-sharp if you nurse it slow. Cut it before the nub unless you want tar lips.
The triple-cap stays intact through multiple punches. Wrapper oil shows decent cellophane fog after 6+ months aging. Box code hunters note consistent AGR 22 stamps from Estelí factory rolls.
