Meet the Wicked Pug No. 2 - a fat 5" x60 Figurado that packs serious maduro heat in your humidor. This Dominican powerhouse blends Brazilian Habano wrapper with Nicaraguan/Dominican fillers, delivering bold flavors without breaking the bank at $113.40 per 12-count box. The pigtail cap and Cuban-style entubado rolling technique hint at its artisanal roots, though the real show starts when torch meets foot.
First Third: Immediate espresso bitterness slaps your tongue, mellowing into charred oak and black cherry compote. Retrohale reveals hidden caramel sweetness fighting through pepper spray.
Mid-Third: Flavors morph into damp earth territory - think mushroom umami meets bittersweet cocoa powder. Draw tightens slightly, forcing slow puffs that intensify cinnamon spice on the finish.
Final Third: Maduro madness peaks with scorched leather and salted dark chocolate. Nicaraguan filler brings nicotine punch - novice smokers might tap out before nub time. Lingering licorice aftertaste haunts your palate for hours.
The chocolate-brown Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper feels slightly tacky - a good sign of proper humidity. Triple cap holds firm through straight-cut guillotine treatment. Cold draw offers faint raisin sweetness that disappears once lit. Burn line stays relatively even without touch-ups, though canoeing occurs if rushed. Ash holds solid in 1" chunks despite the bulky ring gauge.
Maduro hunters craving complex dark flavors will forgive its occasional rough edges. Not your smooth after-dinner smoke - this demands attention with heavy leather gloves. Pair with barrel-proof bourbon to match its intensity, preferably during late-night sessions when you can fully commit to the 90-minute journey.
