This box-pressed parejo from Tatuaje's Surrogates line packs serious personality into its 5 3/4"x56 frame. Priced at $9 per stick in 20-count boxes, the Nicaraguan puro wears a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that's nearly black with oily sheen. The "Eight Baller" lives up to its billiards-inspired name - a compact flavor bomb perfect for when you want full-bodied satisfaction without marathon smoking sessions.
The initial puffs deliver espresso grounds and bitter chocolate, with a cedar undertone emerging as the burn line progresses. Smoke production is moderate - enough for flavor density without overwhelming nasal passages. Watch for occasional peppery zing on the retrohale.
Earthiness takes center stage with damp soil and leather notes. The sweetness transitions from dark cocoa to burnt caramel, balancing the strength. Ash holds firmly for about 1.5 inches before dropping. Bodybuilders might appreciate how the 56-ring gauge feels substantial between fingers.
Mineral tones and black pepper resurface, accompanied by subtle cinnamon spice. Around the last inch, nicotine strength becomes pronounced - beginners should consider putting it down here. The broadleaf wrapper maintains combustion consistency despite increased tar buildup.
Rolled in Nicaragua's Estelí region using volcanic soil-grown tobaccos. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper undergoes extended fermentation at Fabrica de Tabacos Joya de Nicaragua, developing its characteristic sweet-bitter balance. Box-pressing technique creates sharper edges that some find easier to grip than traditional parejos.
