Let's cut straight to this 6x52 Toro that's been turning heads with its Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper. At $14.85 per stick in 10-count boxes, the Aksum Claro delivers a solid medium-full experience rooted in Nicaraguan tobacco heritage. I've been nursing this particular stick in 65% humidity for three weeks - the golden claro wrapper gleams like polished amber under morning light.
The cold draw brings raw cacao nibs and fresh cedar shavings. Initial puffs erupt with baking spices - think cardamom pods crushed over roasted almonds. Smoke output feels surprisingly dense for a claro wrapper, forming velvety white clouds that hang like morning fog. Watch that burn line though; mine needed one minor touch-up at the 1-inch mark.
At the halfway point, the Connecticut Broadleaf binder flexes its muscle. Honey-glazed walnuts emerge alongside charred oak notes I'd normally expect from maduro wrappers. Retrohale reveals a sneaky white pepper kick that clears the sinuses without burning. Ash holds strong in 1.5" segments - decent but not champion-level compaction.
The last third introduces an interesting mineral tang, like licking a river stone after sipping bourbon. Nicaragua's Jalapa leaf surfaces through leather and earth tones, balanced by persistent maple syrup undertones. Though marketed as medium-full, the nicotine hit creeps up slowly - novice smokers might want to pair this with sugary coffee.
Foundation's signature triple-cap stays intact through V-cut and punch methods. The Jalapa/Estelí filler blend burns slightly faster on the eastern-facing side - I'd recommend rotating during sessions. Wrapper elasticity impressed me; no cracks even when smoking down to fingernail-burning proximity.
