This box-pressed stunner from Onyx Reserve brings serious Maduro energy to your humi. At 5"x50 robusto size, it packs Nicaraguan-Dominican-Peruvian filler under that dark Connecticut Broadleaf cloak. Think dense smoke output with cocoa powder textures - the kind that stains your fingertips with oily satisfaction. Tabacalera de García's rollers nailed the square press here, creating clean corners that burn evenly. At $5.73/stick in 20-count cedar chests (complete with Boveda packs), it's priced right for daily dark leaf cravings.
The cold draw punches with raisin sweetness. Initial puffs deliver espresso grounds and burnt caramel - classic Maduro notes but dialed up. Retrohale stings slightly with white pepper. Ash holds firm past 1.5 inches.
Baking spices emerge at the halfway mark. Cinnamon dusting mixes with semi-sweet chocolate. Smoke turns creamier, though the Nicaraguan core keeps earthy undertones present. Watch for tight draw if humidity climbs above 68%.
Last third brings mineral notes - think slate quarry after rain. Pepper returns but milder, balancing the persistent sweetness. Stopped at 1.5" nub - tar buildup remains manageable thanks to quality construction.
Pair with cold brew coffee to amplify cocoa notes. These square-pressed sticks need wider cutter slots - use v-cut or punch. Rest new boxes 4-6 weeks; the Boveda-packed shipping sometimes overhumidifies wrappers. Great value play between $5-$7 sticks, though seasoned Maduro heads might crave more complexity.
