The Crowned Heads Ozgener Bosphorus B50 hits hard with its compact 4x50 robusto format, packing Nicaraguan firepower into a Turkish-inspired blend. At $10.80 per stick, this box-pressed torpedo delivers serious value for full-bodied seekers. The dark Ecuadorian Habano wrapper glistens with oil under proper humidity, promising slow combustion that actually holds up through the entire smoke.
The cold draw punches with black pepper and mineral earth. Upon lighting, charred oak and Turkish coffee dominate, accompanied by a gritty texture that clings to the palate. Retrohale brings white pepper sparkles with faint cardamom undertones.
Volcanic soil notes emerge as the core, layered with unsweetened cocoa and roasted hazelnuts. Smoke density thickens noticeably, requiring slower pacing to avoid heat buildup. Some tasters report slight tongue tingle from alkaloid content.
Leather and iron-rich earth take over, with espresso grounds bitterness balancing the earlier spice. Construction remains impeccable despite intensity, though nicotine accumulation demands cautious smoking on empty stomachs.
Rolled at Tabacalera Pichardo in Estelí, this blend combines Jalapa Valley's sweet leaf with Estelí's volcanic-strength tobaccos. The Ecuadorian wrapper undergoes extended fermentation to develop its obsidian hue and oil content. Construction techniques borrowed from Turkish cigar traditions result in the box-pressed format and tight draw resistance.
