This 6.5"x60 box-pressed beast from Quesada Cigars demands attention with its oily Ecuadorian Habano wrapper glistening like melted dark chocolate. Priced at $206.93 for 24 sticks, it's the fifth-generation family's love letter to cigar craftsmanship, blending Dominican and Nicaraguan Ligero leaves into a medium-full strength experience that'll make your taste buds salsa.
Initial draws hit with black espresso beans dipped in dark chocolate - the kind that makes your teeth tingle. Retrohale brings fire-roasted red pepper flakes that vanish faster than morning mist, leaving behind faint vanilla wafer sweetness.
Leathery core emerges at the midpoint, like breaking in a new baseball glove. Toasted almond notes play tag with dry cedar planks, while nicotine starts flexing its muscles through increasing pepper spice. Smoke production? Thick enough to slice with a butter knife.
Last third gets wild - caramelized banana flambé meets mineral-rich earthiness. Watch out for occasional tar buildup past the nub. The lingering black cherry aftertaste sticks around longer than that cousin at family reunions.
Dry-box for 12 hours before lighting - the tighter box press benefits from slight humidity drop. Pair with cold brew coffee to amplify those cocoa notes without overpowering the blend.
A textbook example of Dominican blending mastery. While not the most complex smoke on the market, its consistency and gradual nicotine build make it perfect for Friday night wind-downs. The 60-ring gauge feels less intimidating than specs suggest, burning cooler than most thick boys.
