Let's cut straight to this Dominican puro - the Fundadores vitola measures 6"x38 with a parejo shape, packing medium-full strength into its slender frame. This 24-count box comes wrapped in oily Brazilian Habano leaf, using aged Dominican/Nicaraguan fillers that'll make you rethink "skinny stick" assumptions.
Cold draw serves raisin sweetness. Initial light brings cedar shavings and baking spices with a noticeable nicotine kick. Smoke production surprises for the ring gauge - steady white plumes that'll fog up your patio.
Dominican earthiness takes center stage, layered with dark chocolate bitterness. Watch for occasional tar buildup requiring purges. The Criollo 98 binder shines here, adding creamy transitions between espresso notes.
Nicaraguan fillers flex their muscles - black pepper sparks fly but stay balanced by molasses undertones. Retrohale reveals toasted hazelnuts. Burn stays sharp down to nub territory with zero relights needed.
Rolled in PDR's Santiago factory using entubado technique - those tight spirals account for slower combustion. The Brazilian wrapper undergoes 18+ months fermentation, explaining its oily sheen. Box code hunters note 3-year minimum age on all small batch tobacco.
Pair with cold brew coffee to amplify the chocolate notes. New world cigar smokers transitioning from Cubans will appreciate the familiar twang in final third.
