This Nicaraguan puro with Ecuadorian roots sneaks up on you - a 4⅜" x 52 parejo that packs complex flavors into its compact frame. Priced at $198 for 20 sticks, it's that perfect "I've got 45 minutes to kill" smoke that's equally at home in your backyard or at a bourbon tasting.
The cold draw teases earthy sweetness before ignition. First puffs blast black pepper that'd make Eddie Van Halen proud - sharp but not harsh. Underneath: espresso grounds and walnut skins. Retrohale shows baking spices lurking behind the curtain.
At the ½" burn point, transition to leathery depth with cocoa powder sweetness. Smoke output increases - thick but cool. Watch for the occasional tar bead at the foot; quick purge fixes it. Pairing tip: cuts through barrel-proof bourbon like butter.
Nub territory brings charred oak and molasses. Strength builds to medium-full but never crosses into nicotine buzz territory. Ash holds 1"+ despite the short format. Smart move keeping it under 5" - any longer and the flavor fatigue would set in.
The Habano Oscuro wrapper maintains decent elasticity - only minor cracking when smoked in <50% humidity. Draw resistance sits in that Goldilocks zone: enough tug to feel controlled, but no fishing-through-the-binder nonsense. Box code hunting? Look for TABPICH (Tabacalera Pichardo) stamps from 2022 onward.
