Snapped this Cohiba Macassar Toro Grande at my local lounge last night - 6"x54 torpedo feels hefty in hand. Noticed the dark oily wrapper showed minimal veins after 3 weeks in my 65% humidor. At $29/stick, cheaper than Cuban Cohibas but still requires budget commitment.
Pre-light sniff gives sweet hay notes. Cold draw tastes like raisin bran muffin - weird but works.
Toasted foot releases white pepper smoke. Initial puffs deliver cedar plank sharpness with espresso bitter edge. Retrohale stings nostrils like wasabi heat. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite quick puffing.
At 45-minute mark, transitions to dark chocolate tones. Noticed caramelized sugar sweetness balancing the pepper. Ash holds 1.5" before dropping - decent compaction. Draw tightens slightly need a poke with PerfecDraw tool.
Last third introduces leathery punch. Nicotine buzz creeps up around nub. Stopped at 1.5" left - tar buildup obvious on cutter. Lingering aftertaste of molasses lasts 20 mins post-smoke.
Dominican roll shows slight lump near cap - didn't affect smoke. Wrapper survived 3 relights without peeling. Box date Feb 2023 suggests needs more age to mellow pepper dominance.
Intermediate smokers craving complex transitions. Not for morning smoke - best paired with bourbon after heavy meal. Budget alternative to Davidoff Yamasa, but won't replace Padrón in my humidor. #CigarLife #NewWorldCigars
