Let's talk about this hefty 6.5"x52 box-pressed beast from Tatuaje. At $12.60 per stick, the 2003 Broadleaf edition packs Nicaraguan filler wrapped in Connecticut's signature dark leaf. The triple cap construction gives me Cuban vibes, though it's 100% Nicaraguan craftsmanship. First light reveals why Broadleaf lovers keep this in their rotation - slow burn, dense smoke, and that distinctive sweet-earth combo.
First Third: Instant coffee grounds and black pepper punch through the nose. The Broadleaf's molasses sweetness lingers on the lips. Draw feels slightly snug but produces thick plumes. Ash holds solid for 1.5 inches before first drop.
Midway: Earth tones deepen into wet soil territory. Retrohale brings cinnamon heat without harshness. Noticeable nicotine kick starts at 45-minute mark. Smoke output remains consistent, no relights needed. Pairing with black coffee enhances the bitter cocoa notes.
Final Stretch: Charred oak emerges as the wrapper caramelizes. Last inch gets spicy - white pepper mixed with dark chocolate bitterness. Stopped at 90-minute mark with mild tongue tingle. Post-smoke aftertaste lasts 20+ minutes.
Rolled in Estelí's My Father factory using Jalapa Valley ligero. The Broadleaf wrapper undergoes 18-month fermentation - you taste those extra months in the cigar's rounded edges. Nicaraguan binder helps control burn rate despite the thick wrapper. Box date shows these have 3 years age - young Broadleaf tends toward bitter chocolate vs. developed cocoa notes here.
