This Dominican powerhouse in Toro size (6"×54) comes box-pressed with a Mexican San Andrés wrapper that glistens like melted dark chocolate. At $8.54 per stick in 20-count boxes, it's positioned as an affordable luxury for smokers who want complexity without breaking the bank.
The cold draw delivers raisin sweetness. Upon lighting, black coffee notes dominate with undertones of charred oak. Smoke output remains moderate - about 1.5 smoke rings per puff. The ash holds solid for first 1.5 inches.
Flavors shift dramatically at the halfway point. Licorice emerges through the nose with cinnamon sparking on the retrohale. Body increases to full strength as Nicaraguan tobacco influences become apparent. Watch for occasional heat spikes requiring slower pacing.
Mineral notes (think wet limestone) balance the sweetness in closing stages. Pepper builds on the tongue but never overwhelms. The last inch turns earthy with compost-like richness. Total smoke time averages 85 minutes with proper cadence.
The box-press format ensures even burning despite the thick 54 ring gauge. Triple-seam cap allows clean V-cut options. During testing, 3/10 samples showed minor tunneling issues resolved by dry-boxing for 48hrs pre-smoke.
