Let's talk about the EP Carrillo Dusk Stout Toro - a 6x52 box-pressed beast that'll set you back $8 per stick. This Nicaraguan puro wears an oily Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper so dark it could double as night camouflage. I fired one up after dinner last week and damn, that first inch hit like a espresso martini with extra bitters.
The initial third serves up black pepper and 80% dark chocolate - the kind that makes your jaw tighten. Smoke production's modest but dense, like diesel exhaust through a cheesecloth. Around the midpoint, roasted almonds and burnt caramel emerge, though you'll need to retrohale to catch the cinnamon undertones.
Final third's where the "Stout" earns its name. Charred oak takes over with espresso grounds bitterness, perfect for pairing with that imperial porter in your other hand. Watch the nicotine creep up though - this Toro doesn't bother with training wheels.
Construction-wise, my sample burned razor-straight after the first ash drop. The Broadleaf wrapper stayed pliable even in 65% humidity - no flaking or unraveling nonsense. Pro tip: Give these 6 months rest and that mid-palate roughness smooths out into proper lounge-worthy smoke.
