This Ethiopian-inspired 6x52 Toro from Foundation Cigar Company punches above its $14.85/stick price tag. Wrapped in oily Ecuadorian Sumatra Maduro leaf with Connecticut Broadleaf binder, it combines Nicaraguan fillers from Estelí's peppery soils and Jalapa's sweeter valleys. The dark torpedo-shaped beauty feels dense in hand with minimal veins - a 90-minute smoke session waiting to happen.
Initial draws hit with black pepper spray across the tongue, settling into damp earth tones. The Connecticut Broadleaf binder emerges at inch-mark with molasses sweetness - think burnt sugar crust on crème brûlée. Retrohale reveals why Estelí filler gets used in so many Nicaraguan puros.
At the halfway point, transitions into espresso grounds mixed with 70% dark chocolate. Smoke output thickens noticeably - requires slower pacing to prevent heat build-up. Occasional walnut skin bitterness appears if hurried, but dissolves with rest periods.
The Jalapa valley filler takes center stage with raisin-like sweetness. Charred cedar notes emerge alongside baking spices (cinnamon > nutmeg), though tar accumulates faster than most Toros this size. Wise to purge 2-3 times in last quarter for cleaner finish.
The triple-cap head holds firm through multiple punch cuts. Burn line stays mostly even despite Maduro wrapper's oil content. Ash stacks in dense gray layers that hold past 1.5" before dropping. Box date codes show best performance after 6+ months humidor rest.
Maduro veterans will appreciate the restrained sweetness vs typical Connecticut Broadleaf blends. Nicaraguan-forward smokers might crave more pepper intensity. Not a "beginner's Toro" due to nicotine content, but manageable with sugary drink pairing.
