Let's cut straight to this Nicaraguan beast from Tatuaje. The Monopole No.3 comes in a 6¼" x 48 parejo shape that fits between robusto and toro sizes. At about $10 per stick in 25-count boxes, it's positioned as a value-packed daily smoke for those who dig full-flavored blends without premium price tags.
The initial inch hits with black pepper that prickles the tongue, layered over toasted cedar notes. The Nicaraguan filler shows its teeth here - expect a dry earthiness that seasoned smokers recognize as "Estelí character". Smoke production is moderate but dense.
As the burn line passes the band, the sharp edges soften into mocha flavors. Dark chocolate bitterness balances the emerging sweetness, like raw sugar dissolving in espresso. The draw stays firm but consistent, needing no touch-ups.
The last section brings unexpected vanilla undertones wrestling with persistent leather notes. The nicotine kick sneaks up here - I'd pair this with a sweet drink unless you're tolerance-trained. Burn gets slightly uneven near the nub but holds structure.
The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper shows moderate oil sheen. Box-pressed examples tend to burn cleaner than round variants. Let these rest at 65% RH for at least 60 days - fresh rolls can tunnel if smoked too soon.
