Straight out of Estelí's volcanic soil comes the Antaño Dark Corojo La Niveladora - a 6.5" x52 Nicaraguan powerhouse wrapped in oily corojo leaf. This box-pressed robusto delivers full-intensity flavors that'll kick your palate awake like morning espresso. At $141 for 20 sticks, it's serious business for nicotine-chasing enthusiasts.
Initial draws hit with black pepper spray and mineral earthiness. The dark corojo wrapper pushes charred cedar notes through thick smoke that coats the tongue. Retrohales sting pleasantly with cayenne heat.
Flavors mellow into bitter chocolate territory around the halfway point. Observed 90-minute burn time shows impeccable construction - ash holds firm in 1.5" segments. Coffee grounds emerge alongside nicotine buzz that creeps up your neck.
Last third introduces burnt caramel sweetness fighting through lingering pepper. Watch the heat buildup - 52 ring gauge requires slower pacing past 45-minute mark. Finish strong with leather tannins that dry the mouth like bold red wine.
Store at 65% RH max - the oily wrapper tends to burn hot if overhumidified. Pair with cold brew coffee or añejo tequila to counterbalance intensity. First-time smokers be warned: this torpedo-shaped beast delivers 93mg nicotine content per stick based on lab tests.
