Let's dive straight into this box-pressed beast measuring 5½"x48 with its dark Colorado Maduro wrapper glistening like spilled espresso. At $286 for 22 sticks, it's a limited-edition tribute to Jose Garcia's 100th birthday featuring pigtail caps and Nicaraguan fillers from family-owned farms. The Garcia clan didn't hold back - only 1,922 boxes exist globally, disappearing faster than smoke in a hurricane.
Initial draws hit like a charcoal grill starter - intense black pepper and bitter cocoa dominate. The San Andrés wrapper shows its teeth with mineral edges cutting through thick smoke output. Retrohale brings singed coffee beans and a surprising maple syrup sweetness underneath.
As the burn line passes the band, flavors mellow into roasted cashews and cedar plank smokiness. Nicaraguan fillers from Jalapa valley emerge with raisin-like fruitiness. Watch the tight ash - holds firm past two inches but demands frequent taps to prevent canoeing.
Last act introduces leather tannins and graphite minerality. Strength enthusiasts rejoice as nicotine kicks like mule, though newbies might tap out here. The sweet spot? 30-minute rest period post-light when cocoa and spice achieve perfect equilibrium.
This stick demands a deep V-cut to handle the pigtail cap without unraveling. Pair with Mexican-style cold brew coffee to complement its inherent bitterness. Pro tip: Store at 63% RH minimum - the oily wrapper tends to harden in dry conditions.
