Nick Perdomo's box-pressed beauty combines Nicaraguan power with finesse in this Maduro-wrapped corona extra. Measuring 5 5/8" with a beefy 54 ring gauge, this medium-full stick comes in 25-count boxes priced around $185. The triple-fermented Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper glistens with oily promise, housing aged Nicaraguan tobaccos soaked in bourbon barrels through Perdomo's secret "Champagne process".
Pre-light nose delivers sweet barnyard and molasses. The cold draw tightens slightly through the box press but rewards patience with cocoa powder and raisin notes. Initial puffs burst with black coffee bitterness softened by almond cream, settling into earthy undertones after 1/2". Ash holds firm in alternating light/dark layers.
At the 2" mark, leather and cedar wood emerge alongside baking spices. Retrohales sting mildly with white pepper while maintaining buttery texture. Watch for occasional canoeing due to the box-pressed shape - rotate every 3-4 puffs. Smoke output doubles here, requiring slower pacing to avoid harshness.
Past the band point, espresso grounds and charred oak dominate. Nicotine strength creeps up despite the medium billing - pair with sweetened coffee. Last inch brings mineral tang from the aged binder, with pepper fading into lingering dark chocolate aftertaste. Total smoke time averages 75 minutes.
Estéli-grown fillers (6+ years aged) meet Jalapa valley binder leaves in this Nicaraguan core. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper undergoes 24-month fermentation including Perdomo's proprietary bourbon barrel treatment. Rolled with signature "heavy handed" packing technique producing dense smoke volume.
