The L'Atelier Travailleurs packs Nicaraguan firepower into its 4.5"x38 petit corona frame. These dark-maduro-wrapped bullets come 50 to a box ($157.50) with pigtail caps nodding to Cuban Behike styling. I've found them perfect for when you need a 35-minute flavor bomb without commitment - think espresso shot versus pour-over coffee.
The pre-light sniff reveals barnyard musk - think damp hay bales. Initial puffs deliver black pepper (nostrils, not tongue) with a burnt toast bitterness. Ash holds firm despite the 38 ring gauge, smoke output surprisingly dense for this format.
At the 15-minute mark, the profile shifts gears. Pepper retreats, making way for unsweetened cocoa and charred cedar notes. Retrohale stings less now, offering glimpses of cinnamon raisin bread. Watch the burn line - these tend to canoe if rushed.
Down to the last inch, mineral tang emerges like licking a wet stone. Nicotine kick sneaks up despite the small size - lighter meals beware. Purists might dock points for the abrupt finish, but I appreciate how it avoids that soggy-tar finale common in short smokes.
Rolled at My Father's Estelí factory using Sancti Spiritus tobacco - a Criollo/Pelo de Oro hybrid grown in Jalapa's volcanic soil. The tins (5-count) help maintain 68-70% humidity surprisingly well. These aren't desk drawer cigars - smoke within 6 months of purchase for optimal combustion.
