This Honduran puro from Oscar Valladares punches above its weight class with a 6"x52 Toro format wrapped in oily Ecuadorian Habano leaf. Boxes of 11 sticks will set you back about $127.71, making it a solid mid-tier option for daily smokes. Let's cut through the hype - this cigar doesn't pretend to be subtle. That sun-grown wrapper slaps your palate awake with spice before mellowing into richer territory.
Cold draw brings damp earth and raisin notes through the clean punch cut. The triple cap holds firm despite my rough V-cut experiment. Let's see if that dense pack translates to decent airflow.
Initial puffs deliver black pepper that's more Nicaraguan than Honduran - think Jalapa valley spice. Cedar kicks in by the half-inch mark, with faint espresso grounds hiding behind the zesty opening. Burn line stays razor-sharp through this phase despite breezy patio conditions.
At the band point, transitions get interesting. The pepper mellows into roasted cashew territory while that Ecuadorian wrapper flexes its muscle. I'm getting distinct cereal notes - like graham crackers dipped in dark chocolate. Smoke output stays moderate, not quite the chimney effect of some AJ Fernandez blends.
Last third brings welcome sweetness - think burnt caramel rather than sugary dessert notes. Strength builds noticeably; nicotine-sensitive folks might want to pair this with something sugary. The nub holds strong with minimal tar buildup, a rarity in this price bracket.
Double-check your humidor setup - these tend to burn best at 65% RH. Occasional tight roll in the final third, but a quick draw poker fix sorts it out. Uses Oscar's signature "rolled in banana leaves" aging process, though I'm skeptical how much that actually impacts flavor versus marketing.
