Let's talk about the Davidoff Yamasa Piramides - a figurado-shaped stogie measuring 6 1/8" with 52 ring gauge. This Dominican puro packs medium-full strength into its pyramid frame, featuring dark wrapper leaves that glisten with oily sheen when properly humidified. At about $27 per stick, it's positioned as a special occasion smoke rather than daily driver material.
The cold draw serves raisin sweetness with faint cedar. Upon lighting, black pepper spice hits immediately - not Cuban-level intensity but enough to make nostrils flare. Earthy undertones emerge as the burn line progresses, accompanied by mineral texture reminiscent of wet stones. Smoke output feels modest, requiring deliberate puffing to maintain combustion.
Around the 1" mark, the profile turns creamy with cashew butter notes. The retrohale reveals baking spices - specifically nutmeg and allspice - layered over coffee grounds. Some testers report slight tunneling issues here, requiring corrective lighting. Ash holds firm in 1" segments if properly stored.
Last third introduces leathery bitterness that contrasts earlier sweetness. Nicaraguan filler influence shows through via white pepper tingle on tongue tip. Strength ramps up noticeably - nicotine-sensitive smokers might want to nub it before the 45-minute mark. Lingering aftertaste combines walnut skin astringency with dark chocolate residue.
Yamasa's distinctiveness comes from volcanic soil in San Cristóbal - the iron-rich earth translates to mineral-heavy base notes. Unlike typical Dominican wrappers, the Ecuadorian-grown Habano leaf adds structural resilience for the pyramid cut. Fermentation techniques focus on preserving terroir characteristics rather than overpowering with barrel-aged flavors.
