This 6x58 Dominican stogie comes box-pressed with a Honduras-grown Corojo wrapper - think "floral sweetness meets leathery depth" in cigar form. At around $7.65 per stick (box of 20 for $153), the Gran Toro delivers classic mid-tier pricing for a medium-bodied smoke that lasts about 90 minutes. Perfect for after-dinner relaxation but hefty enough to demand your full attention.
The cold draw gives off dried apricot notes that disappear on lighting. Initial puffs hit with black pepper through the nose - not overpowering but present. At the 1-inch mark, transitions to baking spices (cinnamon stick) with a cedar undertone. Burn line holds steady despite the large ring gauge. Moderate smoke output.
Between second and final third, the cigar reveals its blending mastery. Earthy espresso grounds emerge but stay balanced by that signature Corojo sweetness. Many enthusiasts find themselves retrohaling more here to catch the cocoa powder nuances. Watch for slight tar buildup around the 60-minute mark - simple purge fixes it.
Last third brings creamy vanilla notes without becoming cloying. The nicotine strength creeps up to medium-plus - noticeable but manageable. Leather flavors intensify but avoid bitterness. Stopped at 1.5" nub mainly due to heat, not flavor degradation. Post-smoke aroma lingers pleasantly with toasted almond character.
The oily Colorado-maduro wrapper shows minimal veins after 6+ months humidor rest. Triple cap survives multiple cuts - used a V-cutter then switched to guillotine halfway. Impressive ash retention (1.5-2" segments). Draw tightened slightly in final third but never plugged. Stock up on butane - this one begs to be nubbed.
