Let's cut straight to the chase about the Cohiba Macassar Gigante - this 6x60 parejo beast packs Dominican craftsmanship with a $314.91/box price tag (10 cigars). The Connecticut Habano wrapper glistens like polished mahogany, while that rum barrel aging gives it that distinctive Cohiba swagger. Perfect for when you want to smoke a whole evening's worth of flavor in one stick.
First Third: Immediate black coffee grounds and toasted almonds kick things off. The Connecticut Broadleaf binder brings that signature molasses sweetness - think burnt sugar crust on crème brûlée. Retrohale shows white pepper tingle without actual heat.
Mid Section: Transition to dark cocoa nibs and leather tones around the 45-minute mark. Smoke output thickens noticeably - could easily fill a medium-sized room. Watch the burn line though - the 60-ring needs occasional touch-ups.
Final Stretch: Here's where the rum barrel aging flexes. Smoked cedar planks and dried cherry notes emerge, with a lingering baking spice finish that justifies the price point. No harshness even when nubbed - impressive for this ring size.
The triple-seam cap holds beautifully - no unraveling even with aggressive V-cut. Ash holds firm for 2-2.5" segments. Box-pressed format helps manage the massive 60-ring gauge. Pro tip: Smoke slower than usual - dense filler blend can overheat if rushed.
At $31/stick, it's competing with ultra-premiums but delivers on complexity. The real magic happens in the last third where cheaper Dominicans usually fall apart. Best paired with aged rum or black coffee - skip the sweet cocktails.
