The Don Lucas 20th Anniversary Toro stands out as a full-bodied Dominican puro celebrating two decades of craftsmanship. This 5 3/4" x 54 parejo-shaped stick comes in sleek black boxes of 10, featuring aged Dominican tobaccos in wrapper, binder and filler. Its oily Ecuadorian Sumatra-seed wrapper glistens with visible veins, promising a slow burn that actually holds true.
Pre-light notes of barnyard and molasses emerge through the perfect draw. Initial puffs deliver black coffee bitterness with an unexpected honey sweetness lingering underneath. Smoke production stays moderate despite the wide gauge.
Earthiness takes over with distinct minerality reminiscent of Dominican soil. White pepper spikes appear retrohaled, complemented by charred oak notes. The burn line stays razor-sharp without corrections.
Dark chocolate dominates as nicotine strength builds gradually. Leathery undertones emerge at the nub, though tar accumulation becomes noticeable past the 45-minute mark. Most smokers will want to put it down before the bitter end.
Rolled in Don Lucas' Punta Cana factory (yes, the tourist zone), this limited production stick uses 2016-crop Olor filler tobaccos aged in rum barrels. The Cameroon binder adds structural integrity while letting Dominican filler shine through. Family patriarch Philippe Gillet insists on keeping production under 500 boxes annually - a claim verified by box numbering.
