The La Aurora Original Blend Maduro 1985 Gran Toro brings Dominican craftsmanship to your humidor with its 6"x58 box-pressed parejo shape. Packing a box of 20 cigars, this medium-strength smoke features a dark Brazilian Maduro wrapper hugging Nicaraguan binder and filler tobaccos. Its oily San Andrés Maduro leaf promises earthy sweetness that seasoned smokers will want to pace through the 90-minute journey.
Black pepper spice punches through initial draws, mellowing into earthy notes with roasted almond undertones. Creamy smoke output stays moderate, requiring deliberate puffs to prevent heat buildup in the thick ring gauge.
Cocoa powder and espresso emerge as the burn line passes halfway, accompanied by baking spices. Watch for occasional tar buildup - a quick purge keeps the sweetness from turning cloying.
Leather and licorice dominate the last inch, with nicotine strength ramping up noticeably. Most smokers cut it short before the nub to avoid bitterness, sacrificing about 15% of total length.
The San Andrés Maduro wrapper shows minimal veins with firm packing density. Triple-cap finishing and consistent ash formation confirm La Aurora's rolling expertise. While burn line correction was needed twice, the cigar never tunneled or required relights.
